The Trails
- The grounds of the Cary Institute open April 1. Today was to check the conditions.
- Starting at the Fern Glen, I could see that the Pond was pretty clear.
- Just over its dam marsh marigold was leafing out and skunk cabbage was blooming - yes, that's a flower...
- As I made my way on the Cary Pines Trail through the Old Gravel Pit I approached sunny patches and sun-lit tree trunks cautiously.
- These are typical haunts of the Eastern comma which over-winters as an adult.
- Indeed, I encountered two this day, but they blend in so well and dart away so quickly that I had to use a photo from last year...
- The bottom of the Old Gravel Pit was dry today. Some years there's ice, in others 8" of water.
- On the slope coming up out of the Bottom of the Pit was the first of several Points of Science kiosks that are being constructed along the trails. These will illustrate some of the research being conducted here at the Cary Institute.
- A favorite spot in the Pit, featuring a park bench by the way, held some low maple branches just beginning to think about blossoming.
- Emerging into the Little Bluestem Meadow, I paused as always, to enjoy the view of the meadow with Gifford House in the distance.
- It was slow walking along the sun bathed, south facing hedgerow of the first Old Hayfield: another perfect habitat in which to find eastern commas.
- Heading down the steps to the boardwalk across the end of the Sedge Meadow I was reminded how highly contested this area is. There is always scat from critters marking THEIR territory.
- The view from the boardwalk offered tussocks and skunk cabbage.
- A rustling in the leaves near the entrance to the Old Pasture proved to be from a wild turkey; 8 more were at the exit.
- From the bluff of the Wappinger Creek Trail was another favorite view.
- At the Appendix, as I like to call the area around Trail Marker 10 where Cary Pines & Wappinger Creek trails meet, a deer and I played hide and seek.
- And the rest of the way back to the Glen along the CPT was calm and quiet.
- A nice first day out.
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Birds
- 2 Mallard
- 9 Wild Turkey
- 1 Mourning Dove
- 1 Belted Kingfisher
- 1 Pileated Woodpecker
- 2 Blue Jay
- 1 American Crow
- 4 Black-capped Chickadee
- 2 White-breasted Nuthatch
- 3 Golden-crowned Kinglet
- 2 American Robin
- 2 Dark-eyed Junco
Butterflies
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