O' Tannenbaum!

Princess Pine (a club moss) adorned by Canada Mayflower berries, as viewed at Ushers Road State Forest.

Happy Holidays to all.

P.S. - When in bloom (usually beginning the second week of May), Canada Mayflower looks like this -

Winter Tree Identification Quiz

FINAL UPDATE (1/20/2014):

And the answers are…

Thanks to everyone who participated.  Most importantly, I hope each of you had an enjoyable outing in your search for bark samples matching those in the photos.

The trees included in this quiz were the following:

1. Black Cherry
2. White Ash
3. Butternut
4. Cottonwood
5. Norway Spruce
6. Common Buckthorn
7. Black Birch
8. Willow
9. Box Elder
10. Gray Birch

Trick Question = Grape vine, not a tree!

If you have not yet visited the North Woods Nature Preserve, please include that destination in your future outings.  The trails are well marked and a number of tree species are identified along them with very informative interpretive signs.  This is a particularly scenic area to visit each autumn to enjoy fall colors, as evidenced by John Broadhead’s beautiful photos in the October 18, 2013, posting on this blog.

Happy trails!

 
UPDATE:  Given the COLD and snow that we have experienced since I posted this quiz, I will wait until after the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday before posting the answers to give everyone ample opportunity to enjoy a winter woodland walk in more inviting conditions.  Please note:  you can click on any photo below for a closer look at the bark of each.

With the onset of winter, why not take a stroll through a nearby woodland?  If you do, please observe the bark of the trees that you pass.  Consider that stroll your "field research."  Then, please return to this posting and reply with your responses to the following quiz.

Shortly after New Year’s Day, I'll reply with the answers.  Good luck.  Have fun!

#1 – CLUES:  Wood valued for its lumber used in furniture and interior woodwork in homes.  Fruit used in jelly, but especially important as food for wildlife.

#2 - CLUES:  Wood valued as strong, durable timber used in furniture, tool handles, oars, baseball bats, and snowshoes.

#3 – CLUES:  Though not an important timber species, its wood used in furniture and cabinetwork.  Edible nuts are an important food for wildlife.

#4 - CLUES:  Typically grow to be very tall trees.  Fluffy seeds.

#5 - CLUES:  Only one of this particular type of tree with drooping branchlets. 

#6 - CLUES:  Highly invasive.  Each twig ends in sharp spine.  Despite bearing many dark berrylike fruit, wildlife often ignore them for food.

#7 - CLUES:  Wood is heavy and hard, frequently made into furniture.  Oil of wintergreen is obtainable from sap and leaves.  Fermented sap used in a type of beer.

#8 – CLUES:  Typically found along streambanks and in wooded wetlands.  A preferred food of beaver.  Bark contains a medicinal substance called salicin.

Trick question for extra credit – CLUE:  Produces dark berrylike fruit.

# 9 - CLUES:  Soft white wood is used for boxes.  While in the same genus, this is not a maple.

#10 - CLUES:  Often multi-trunked.  Bark does not readily separate into layers.

First Snowfall

I took the opportunity Sunday of the first snowfall to go visit the new Mooney Carrese Forest, which can be accessed from the Veterans Memorial Park. Although snow usually means cold weather, which was true today, I love it. The snow allows for me to see animal tracks and get to know what is around. The snow also allows me to see animals in the woods that are usually very well camouflaged. Although I didn't see any notable animals today, I saw many tracks.

 

 

The entrance to the Veterans Memorial Park Trails

This trail marker will lead you to the new Mooney Careese Forest

Deer track

 Turkey tracks

Back Roads

It always pays to take the back roads home.  When we did yesterday, we were rewarded with this view of what I think is an immature Bald Eagle.

It caught my eye while driving on Towpath Road (near the Klamsteam Tavern) because it was so much bigger than most of the raptors that we commonly see.  I couldn't get great pictures of it because I only had my phone to use as a camera, but after researching online I am pretty sure it is a young Bald Eagle.  

Even though this bird wasn't technically in one of the Town's designated open spaces, I though it was worth posting to see if anyone had any feedback to help definitively identify it.

With the leaves almost gone, now is the prime time to spot more big birds like this one perching in trees.  Red Tail Hawks seem to be the most common, but occasionally you will spot something more unusual.  Whether you are out on the back roads of Clifton Park or on the North Way, you are bound to see them if you keep your eyes sharp.  Good luck!

Hayes Nature Park, November 1, 2013

Sixty-eight degrees on November 1?  We took that as our cue to get out for a hike at one of our favorite Clifton Park opens spaces—Hayes Nature Park on Moe Road.  

What a gorgeous day to be out there!  If you haven’t been there before, the trail makes a loop with several spokes leading off to the surrounding neighborhoods.  The junctions are very well marked, making it easy to stay on the main trail.

The surface is hard-packed and pleasant under foot and includes several well-constructed bridges that are fun to cross, especially if you're 2 or 3!  As we found out last year when the kids were too little to do this trail under their own power, strollers push quite well on this trail. 

As we hiked along we had contests to find the smallest and largest acorn cap we could find, the biggest oak leaf in the forest, and to pet as many puppies as we could (5!)

We were even treated to the few last glorious gold leaves of the season.

We discovered a well-placed bench, perfect for a snack break and the chance to just be still and quiet for a few moments to listen to the birds above.

At our 2- and 3-year old acorn-hunting, leaf-searching, puppy-petting, snack-breaking speed, the loop took us about 40 minutes.  It could definitely be done faster, but I highly recommend this speed from time to time.

The parking lot for this park is located on the east side of Moe Road, on the southern section of Moe near Thoroughbred Way.

Stewardship Walk Nov. 1, 2013 at Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve

Common witch-hazel was observed blooming on October 18, 2013.

Join us for a one-hour Stewardship Walk to explore the western side of the Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013.  This area includes the Cooley Kill, forested uplands and wetlands.   Call 518-371-6054 for more information on the walk. 

Blog contributors wanted

If you enjoy this blog and think you can offer material to it, please feel free to comment on this post and say that you want to become a contributor. If you frequent the town parks, you would be perfect for adding material. I will set you up and you will be a contributer in no time!

Amazing pictures from John Broadhead

Check out these awesome pictures taken by John Broadhead from the North Woods Nature Preserve right here in Clifton Park! Awesome pictures of the changing leaves! All the changing leaves make the parks look beautiful. Go check them out!