Children's Walk Cancellation

The walk was again cancelled due to inclement weather today. We will reschedule next year, with 2 walks planned for the spring and autumn.

More questions than answers

I enjoyed a misty early autumn morning around Indian Pond.

I estimated there were thousands of spider webs around the pond, with diameters from 2 to 10 inches, seemingly anchored to almost every tree limb that caught my eye. Any idea as to why they appeared almost overnight and all at once?

The recent rain and mist practically animated this beautiful foliose lichen, growing on a tree trunk extending into the pond. Am I correct in my identification? Any idea as to the specific species?

A Weeping Willow tree growing horizontally over the pond also held this mat of sparkling green moss.

Brett Park Walk

Rambled around Lower Brett Park Thursday evening (6/25). I spotted this Song Sparrow at the river's edge and the Jewelweed was blooming everywhere. The latter was a startling sight given the wildflower literature (with a 10 year old copyright) noting this plant isn't in full bloom until "mid-summer." The beauty belies an ominous sign of global warming.

Indian Pond sightings May 16th

I walked the pond at around 8:30 AM. The sky was overcast, temperature in the upper 50's. These photos show a Green Frog, a mother Mallard and ducklings, a Solitary Sandpiper, a gosling, male/female adult Mallards & Cormorants.

Turtles Have the Day

This was a day of firsts for me: I saw an adult Painted Turtle floating lifeless in the pond - first sighting of a dead turtle; I recorded a record-breaking 19 Painted Turtles either sunning themselves or swimming; and I spotted another turtle species for the first time.

I can only guess that it was a Common Snapping Turtle. Please take a look at the photos and let me know.

These 2 additional photos show: a crowded exposed branch at high tide & recently planted River Birch at a newly cleared stretch of river front at Brett Park.

The Warblers have returned

The trees around Indian Pond were almost teeming with Warblers this morning. I walked the pond at around 8:00 AM and saw countless Yellow, Palm, and Yellow Rumped Warblers. Take some time to visit the Greenway; you will be amazed at the wildlife just steps away from your home.

Indian Pond bird sightings March 7 and 8

Mallards, Hooded Mergansers, Green-winged Teals, Wood Ducks, Downy Woodpeckers, Canada Geese, Herring Gulls, Red-winged Blackbirds, Belted Kingfisher. Temperature range from the upper 50's to upper 60's. Very light breeze.

Male Wood Duck

This photo was taken at Indian Pond in early October 2008. The female was nearby.

Indian Pond winter scene

Beautiful ice-covered pond. Downy woodpeckers and sparrows at the north end.