Nature Center

4/18/2024, red L, 10:00-12:15 Absolutely gorgeous morningSun shines brightly Illuminating, the new greenSoft green travels higher to the tops of treesBirds of every kind sing outPale violet blue phlox line the trailsRed-headed woodpeckers call back and forth to each otherSpider webs glistenDarkening sporophytes prepare for retreat back into lush green carpetsEastern Towhee with its sweet […]

4/6/2024, red R, 10:15-12:15 Greeted by the most brilliant bluebird dipping across the trailSurrounded by the greenest of greensInterspersed by tiny pink flowers, purples, blues and daffodilsRushing CreekBreeze-shivered beechesSounds of water rushing, leaves rustling, birds singing, tinkling twigsSun shines through remaining morning mistDaffodils in quiet attentionGlistened spider threadsBeautiful bird songs on the edges of the

3/17/2024, red L, 9:45-12:00 Sun shines from behind the misty morning skyGreen shiny-leafed carpet with slick yellow flowers pushing upBirds sing joyouslyTrees creek and rustle with the windVines climb their way up tolerant treesEchoing woodpecker metronome keeps the beat of the forestBlue Jays with so much to sayArches and triangles of fallen treesSoft green emerging

3/3/2024, red R, 9:30-12:00 Beautiful spring morning – not the only one with the idea of coming today!Dew-covered buttercupsDaffodils pushing up their leaves, but not yet floweringGreen shiny leaves of buttercups fill crevices of limestone steps and edges of trailsTufted tit”mice” sing happy songs from every treeGentle creek sounds surroundBirds of every kind sing and

2/17/2024, red L, 10:00am-12:00pm Winter returnsCold morning, new snow, gray skiesActive birds sing jubilantlyLovely song of a tufted titmouseGeese argue in the distanceChunks of snow fall softly from branchesCrunchy iced trailsSun attempts to burn through the cloudsSnow stuck on vines that spiral up treesTree trunk surrounds another, as if protectingWoodpeckers knock through the cold, snowy

2/3/2024, red R, 10:15am-12:00pm Gorgeous, sunny morningShiny, sleek trails, glistening branchesFrost sparkles the ground and the fallen leavesFrosted prairie trails transform into sog and sloshSo many busy birdsBlack crows communicate, calling back and forthWhitest of white and red-headed woodpeckerPause in winter; taste of early springRenew, re-energize

1/27/2024, red L, 9:40-11:40 Cool, damp morningGeese and ducks busy fishing and standing their groundSoft, wet, muddy trailsHat muffles bird calls, amplifies footstepsDeep contemplationGorgeous bright blue jay swoops pastAlways ever-amazed at the number of trees that fall into their neighbor’s “arms”Love the sound of the words “Good Morning” from passers on the trailSoothing, steady creek

1/17/2024, red R 1:30-3:45 Cold wintery dayBiting windDeep cracks and creeks from the treesWater flows under ice-coated creeksWind energy lifts up and swirls dried fallen leavesBrittle brushing grasses alive in the windKhaki-lined white velvet mushroomsTrees in constant communication through deep cracks, creaking, clunks and squeakingIcy fingersTrapped leaves and suspended algae in the iced pondWind energy

12/24/2023, red L, 10:15am -12:00pm Unseasonably warm, drizzly morningRain falls softly on the leavesActive birds, calling and singing to each otherChristmas chat with MykoMoss-socked tree trunksGlimpse of cotton-white deer tails bounding through the forestIntoxicating petrichor lifts from belowLeaf-domed squirrel shelters, exposed high in treesAh, the dampened, ever-fragrant prairieCrystal drops from branches and thornsFossil-filled creeksSun emerges

12/16/2023, red L, 10:00-12:00 Cool, damp, grey morningThin layer of ice coats the pondGolden-crowned Kinglets so very busyOranges and peaches stand out amidst the greysSun attempts to burn through misty cloud coverVines and limbs seek each other out, entangleRed always makes itself knownAh, the gorgeous sweet scent of the prairieDry grasses speak through crackles