2014 Nature & Open Space Photo Contest

The Town of Clifton Park is conducting a 2014 Nature & Open Space Photo Contest open to all now through Saturday, June 14, 2014 at midnight.  Up to four separate entries are allowed per person. The four eligible categories are: Wildlife; Landscape; Plants & Flowers; and People Enjoying Nature & the Outdoors.  Photos must be taken within the Town of Clifton Park at one of the eight following nature preserves and parks (see the location Map of 8 Great Places ):  Ushers Road State Forest; North Woods Nature Preserve; Kinns Road Park; Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve; Veterans Memorial Park & Mooney Carrese Forest; Garnsey Park; Mohawk Landing Nature Preserve; and Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve.

Spur of the Dwaas Kill near the Cooley Kill, Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve, north of Kinns Road, May 29, 2014.

Guided Walks in Nature Preserves on May 17, 2014

Celebrate Open Space & Nature Day!

The Town of Clifton Park and the Open Space, Trails & Riverfront Committee is hosting an inaugural Celebration of Open Space & Nature Day by offering guided, one-hour-long, nature walks at eight locations, at 10 to 11 a.m., and later the same day, from 2 to 3 p.m.  These walks offer a great opportunity to get to know a nearby park or nature preserve that you may not have visited before.

These family-friendly walks will be held at: Ushers Road State Forest, North Woods Nature Preserve, Kinns Road Park, Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve, Veterans Memorial Park & Mooney Carrese Forest, Garnsey Park, Mohawk Landing Nature Preserve and Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve.

A mid-day community celebration and open house will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Historic Grooms Tavern, at the Grooms Road intersection with Sugar Hill Road.  Community groups such as the Friends of Grooms Tavern, Friends of Clifton Park Open Space, Saratoga P.L.A.N. and the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition will be joining the Town of Clifton Park Open Space, Trails & Riverfront Committee with special displays and exhibits that day.  Light refreshments, hot dogs and hamburgers, and trail mix snacks will be available.

Town officials will make a brief presentation about the Open Space Program at 12:30 p.m., also at Historic Grooms Tavern. 

All are welcome to participate in the day's activities.

Members of the Open Space, Trails & Riverfront Committee and additional volunteers from the community will be helping to lead the walks, and be present at the open house. 

For more information visit the Town website at www.cliftonpark.org or call 518-371-6054.

Spring at Garnsey Park

Spring is really starting to show at Garnsey Park. The birds are loud and the leaves are starting to pop out on some of the trees. I was very happy to see a pair of bluebirds flying around the park. Last year I installed 5 bluebird houses, and I am happy to see that they are getting used.

 Bluebird

 Bluebird houses

 Leaves popping on the trees

 Another bluebird

Salamander

Is it spring yet?

 

Spring is here, but we are all still waiting for the warm weather. The animals and birds are happy with the weather, though. I went for a walk on the Bear Brook a couple weeks ago and it seemed like everything was out playing in the relatively warm weather.

 One of my previous posts had a similar picture, just all the rocks were covered in snow.

 There were tons of chipmunks and squirrels running around.

 I was lucky enough to spot the deer that I see quite often when I go for walks.

These two large holes were pecked into the tree by a pileated woodpecker.