Pond Keepers: Spotted Turtle

Today during some creature collecting at Louisa Pond, I came upon a really cool herp. I was trekking my way through the tall reeds to get to some deeper water in search of some Water Scorpion and tadpoles, when I look to my right and sunning itself on this warm, spring day was a Spotted Turtle! Super cool find! At the Preserve, we have a resident Spotted Turtle, Spot, who was injured and only has three-legs. So I had seem them before, but never in the wild..until now.

Apparently, they are a common turtle in the Hudson Valley, but many of its habitat range has been lost due to development encroachment from New York City. It was super docile and calm as I was able to check it out closer. They literally do have yellow to light orange spots on their black shells.

Super cool to see these turtles out in the wild. They are also very sensitive to pollution and can rapidly disappear with declining water quality. Good to know Louisa Pond is in tip top shape to house this beautiful creature!

TheChristyBel

Earth Day 2017

For Earth Day, I co-led a hike for the Preservers. We hiked the group from the Testimonial Gateway to Duck Pond and back. It was a great day, however, it was cloudy and drizzling. But during the hike, we were able to see some great birds and plants. Including Dutchmen's Breeches!

Dutchmen's Breeches

That evening, I travelled to the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies to attend a lecture that featured Terry Tempest Williams! Her talk on her new book, The Hour of Land, spoke of what connects us to our national parks and really made me miss the Tetons!

I also got to meet her and have her sign my book! 

TheChristyBel

Pond Keepers: Creature Collecting in Snow

Again, this snow is really cramping my Pond Keeper collecting style...I guess I won't be scooping goop for another few days...

Will we ever have a Pond Keepers program this spring?!?

TheChristyBel

Louisa Pond

No Access Today

Coxing is Frozen Solid...Even the Falls

Foothills House is Closed for Collecting

Nope.

A Misty Morning for Lenape

This fog is really setting a mood for the Native American Lifeways program this morning!

Easter in Delaware

Some moments captured from the Belardo/Burton Easter at Phyllis' this year.

Puzzles!

And our baby cousin, Thomas, super tired from his first year of college!

Ty-ty Thomas!

Cuddling with a moose. Aw!

A Forever Friend

Visited Delaware Nature Society This Evening
Reunited With This Old Friend!
#SecretSpot #GhostTree

Pond Keepers: Creature Collecting Finds

I love when Pond Keepers season comes around - I get to "nature nerd-out" over the things I find and see in the ponds. Spring season has been great as we get to see growth and birth in the pond! Here is just a taste of what my usual collecting days are like in a spring season...enjoy!

TheChristyBel

A very hungry Giant Water Bug eating a tadpole!

Spotted Salamander Eggs - be careful when you scoop goop in the spring, you do not want to disturb these!

Just be gentle when handling them when you remove them from your net.

Pickerel Frog trying to camouflage in the grass!

Pond Keepers: A Celebration of Learning (Kerhonkson Elementary)

My favorite part of Pond Keepers is the Celebration of Learning. I love coming back to a school after the 10-days and seeing and hearing what the students have discovered about their pond. Check out some of the things the Kerhonkson Elementary School students from the 1st grade learned and created from their pond studies. 

TheChristyBel

Activity 9 - Creature Creations

The Habitats of the Pond

Animals and plants that can be found in and around the pond.

The Different Ways Creatures Breathe in the Pond

The Different Ways Pond Creatures Move

Some Defense Strategies of the Pond Creatures

What's For Lunch

Went to check up on the Giant Water Bug tank up in the Visitor Center lobby this afternoon...and guess what I discovered?!?

Cannabalism in the Pond

Saying Goodbye to Bertha

Today was a sad day for Marc and I.

We said "Goodbye" to Bertha.

Marc decided to place it on craigslist.

And someone bought it!

Thank You for a Wonderful 2-years, Bertha!
We will miss you and #VanLife

This is not goodbye to our hope to once again live the #VanLife. We'll be back into again soon! Also, this was terrible timing...we just found out we have to move from Old Ford Road. Our landlord is moving back into the house..and we just lost our moving van! Ahhhh! Terrible timing!

To Be Continued...

TheChristyBel