Pre-Solstice Sampler of Trailside Blooms

Yesterday, I continued my wildflower inventories at Old Iron Spring Fitness Trail and along the Zim Smith Trail (that portion located within the Town of Ballston).  Here is a sampler of what I observed –

Purple-flowering Raspberry

Common Milkweed

Sweetbrier

Staghorn Sumac

Hairy Cat’s Ear

Long-leaved Stitchwort

Sulphur Cinquefoil

Thimbleweed

Thyme-leaved Sandwort

Yarrow

Smooth Hawkweed

Yellow Avens

Black-eyed Susan

Wild Parsnip

Intermediate Dogbane

Low Hop Clover

Viper’s Bugloss

Deptford Pink

Hedge Mustard

Today, I similarly continued my wildflower inventory at Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve.  Here is a sampler of what I observed –

Bush Honeysuckle

Common Cinquefoil

White Avens

Moneywort

Water Hemlock

Bristly Dewberry

Eastern Blue-eyed Grass

Maleberry

Whorled Loosestrife

Tall Meadow Rue

Common Elderberry

Wild Garlic

Enchanter’s Nightshade

Smaller Forget-me-not

Motherwort

Stout Blue-eyed Grass

Happy Summer Solstice Eve!

As always, happy trails.

Summer is upon us

The summer solstice will occur on June 20.  Its arrival will mark the longest day of the year and also when the sun appears highest in the sky.

Rock Garden – Dyken Pond Environmental Center

To celebrate and enjoy all those hours of daylight, we all should consider the opportunity to observe nature in a variety of sunlit settings:  dawn, mid-day and twilight.  Each will offer unique lighting (great for photography) as well as contrasting opportunities to view wildlife.

Barred Owl

Here is a list of summer outdoor activities to consider:

• Flowers for the Solstice (June 20)
• Warbler Wednesdays Bird Walk – Schodack Island State Park (June 22)
• Early Bird Saturdays Bird Walk – Schodack Island State Park (June 25)
• Mapping the History of Schuyler Flatts through Archaeology (June 25)
• Book Walk & Talk: Hayes Nature Park (June 25)
• Birdwatching – Montgomery County (July 3)
• Dudley Observatory Star Party (July 8)
• Wildflower Walk (July 10)
• Stockade Art and Nature Garden Tour (July 15-16)
• Canada Lily:  Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve (July 16)
• Dudley Observatory Star Party (August 12)
• Volunteer Work Day at the Lisha Kill Natural Area (August 20)
• Birdwatching – Peebles Island/Cohoes Flats (August 21)
• Counting Common Nighthawks (nightly, August 21-26)
• Dudley Observatory Star Party (September 9)
• Wildflower Walk (September 11)

Happy trails!

 

A babe in the woods

During my latest visit to Peter Desrochers Country Knolls Memorial Trails in the Town of Clifton Park, I happened across this wonderful sight –

Fawn of white-tailed deer

Not far from there, I then saw a lone doe to whom I presumed that little fawn belonged.  All of which reminded me about some helpful tips when you come upon a fawn; please read.

My visit was to continue my ongoing wildflower inventory at this destination and I was very pleased to tally more than a dozen additional species.  Next spring, I will post a wildflower field guide for this property, similar to those I’ve compiled for a number of area nature preserves, parks and trails.

I did observe these blooms today –

Common Mock-orange

Smooth Hawkweed

Spiderwort

Happy trails!

Blue Flag now in bloom!

To my surprise, I viewed many Large Blue Flag already in bloom along the northernmost segment of the Zim Smith Trail last evening.

Large Blue Flag

So, if you enjoy seeing these large beautiful blooms in their natural setting, be sure to get out soon to do so!

Of the local destinations that I have visited, I would recommend any of the following:

• Ann Lee Pond Nature and Historic Preserve (take the woodland trail along the north shoreline of the far upper reaches of the pond)
• Town Park (view the shoreline of the wetland pond from the north trail loop)
• Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve (take the trail from the parking area adjoining the Whipple Bridge on the north side of the canal out to Clute’s Dry Dock)
• Woodcock Preserve (take the white trail to the yellow loop and make a loop back to where these two trails intersect)

Happy trails!