Since I am unable to travel, and nothing is happening around me nowadays I remind you to check out my other blog called https://skogs-frun.tumblr.com/ if you are interested in seeing boring forest photos I took while exploring the woods. Like this one.
This panel highlights the Manchester trail’s namesake. Cedars swamps are definitely one of my favorite ecosystems. Doesn’t get much better than a sphagnum moss carpet.
Panel number 5 is all about amphibians. This time of year, vernal pools are one of my favorite sources of outdoor entertainment. Before the majority of migrating birds show up, and the plants start growing again, the frogs and salamanders are back at it. Right now the pond in my yard is full of the eggs of all three of these guys, and the tadpoles are just starting to hatch. Warmer weather is right around the corner.
Before creating this panel for The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire, I had no idea that giant rhododendrons where native to North America. They are so big and showy, I assumed they were some exotic flower, but no, they are found throughout the Appalachian Mountain range. New Hampshire is about as far north as they grow in the wild. Makes me like the one planted outside my window even more.
This panel for The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire was a lot of fun to create. All about the oak trees in the Manchester Cedar Swamp, and some of the critters that enjoy them.
Yesterday,The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire opened an All Persons Trail at Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve. I’m so honored to have been asked to design 7 interpretive panels for the trail. Here’s one all about the symbiotic relationship between glacial boulders and rock tripe, a winning team. Can’t wait to come visit the trail in person.
I’ve lived so close to the Great Valley & the Delta all my life and I so rarely actually venture to explore the nature in this area. We took a quick trip to the Blue Heron Trail located in the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge so we could explore some of the local plants. And while the heat of summer may not have been the most beautiful time of year to visit, we still loved seeing and learning about the many different native plants and animals that live in this special area. There was so much to see when you change your eye level and look above and below.
Clear skies and golden grass is what summer looks like in the great valley & the delta. We got up early a few weeks ago to go on a nature walk in Vacaville on the Pena Adobe Trail. It’s a beautiful (mostly uphill as the trail started down by the lake) trail scattered with oak trees and a view of the valley. Up at the top we could see the fog rolling over the hills in the distance. For years we had drive by the sign for this trail but we never stopped until this year.
