Nature Nuggets

Even though it still winter, many plants and animals are beginning to come out into bloom. Check out some of the color that spring is having sprung!

TheChristyBel

Northern Spicebush

Red Maple, Female

Red Maple, Male

Pollen Release from the Red Maple, Male

And a Bloated Dead Bat...Sorry, it was still a cool find!

December Highlights

Soren Helping Me Release Pond Creatures Back into the Pond!

Just taking some time to post some of my favorite moments from December. I know that the last of the year's entries are short, sweet, and full of pictures with less content. I totally have been slacking on providing a lot of verbal meat with many of my entries. Work has definitely kept me busy and away from really focusing on my blog. So, I promise that I'll give you all more than just pictures come the new year! Until then, enjoy some highlights that December brought me here in the Gunks! Pretty excited for 2016 to come! Are you?!

TheChristyBel

Coordinating & assisting with the 2015 Mohonk Preserve Christmas Bird Count

Marc's Parents Came to Visit Us in New Paltz

StoneFly Find for Pond Keepers

Gillian Taking Over My Cell Phone

Ruffed Grouse Find During a Awosting Lake Field Trip

Pond Keepers at Violet Avenue Elementary School

Pond Keepers Creature Creations at Phoenicia Elementary

Due to Some Warm December Temperatures, We Discovered Some Chestnut Oak Acorns Sprouting!
Pretty Scary How Climate Change is Pretty Visible Before Our Eyes!

November Highlights

Here are some highlights from this past month! Enjoy!

TheChristyBel

Garter Snake Getting Some Sun From the Unusually Warm November Temperatures

Walking Stick!

A Trip to NYC's Museum of Natural History

FDR's House for the NatureAccess Conference

Collecting Weather During Really Foggy Mornings on Mohonk Lake

My Parents Came to Visit and Check Out New Paltz

Wildlife in the Gunks

Over the past month, I have been able to get out into the field and assist with collecting phenological data about the flora and fauna on the Shawangunk Ridge. Along these field trips, I have been able to see some really cool natural history finds! Check 'em out!

TheChristyBel

Blistered Rock Tripe (Left) and Smooth Rock Tripe (Right)
Lichen that can be found on the Shawangunk Conglomerate
Normally, you find it dry, brittle, and brown. When wet, it becomes flexible, shiny, and GREEN!

Red-Spotted Newt - Red Eft Juvenile

Adult & Juvenile Red-Spotted Newts

Five-Lined Skink

HUGE Snapping Turtle at Duck Pond

Fly Brook with Huge Beaver Dams 

Wild Turkey!