JFiN Mills Riverside Park Observe and Discover Nature Walk

 JFiN (Jericho Families in Nature) hosted an "observe and discover" walk at Mills Riverside Park on Saturday, April 22. 

We walked crossed the bridge, walked past the playing fields, and came to the threshold of the forest, knocked politely, then entered to visit the place where many animals, insects, and plants live with their families, each in their own unique house. Some of us guessed at the start of our walk, how many species we might observe and stop to look closely at. The guesses ranged from 'A Lot' to 100. Abbey asked us all what kind of animals we would like to see, hearing a range of answers including Red Fox, Bobcat, Snake, and Lizard. 

Abbey offered that the DRML library loan out backpacks or exploring day packs with items like binoculars, magnifying glasses, and other nature observing tools. 

One of the first observations that attracted interest enough for a closer look was a large piece of birch bark that was on the ground, and not on a tree. We felt its chalky, white, and smooth outer texture, compared to the inside color and texture, noted that it is in essence the tree's skin and that the bark can be used as paper, and wrote a message on the bark. 

Bernie offered a riddle: When does a tree sound like a dog with laryngitis? Join us for the next JFiN walk to hear the answer, or ask one of the participants who joined the Mills Riverside Park nature walk.

Some of the living species we stopped to take a closer look at and to comment on or ask questions about or to explore further were: A Robin, Invasive Honeysuckle, Carolina Spring Beauty flowers, Red Trillium flowers, Spruce trees (Evergreen with pointy needles), fungus, catkin, white pine (5 needles), millipede-looking creature and a beetle in a rotting tree laying on the ground, a Trout Lily flower, a Garter snake (recall that snake was one animal on the wish list), an unidentified bird feather, and an entire crow's wing. 

                                     There is always a Troll bridge to cross. 

                           We theorized why the stream of water seems to flow at a steady rate, perhaps in part due to the obstructions along its path. 

                   Snags can be homes to many different kinds of animals. We found that one hole in this tree snag was deep enough and wide enough to place an entire hand up to one's wrist to the right side and to the left side of the cavity. We theorized perhaps it would be even big enough for a small owl to nest in. 

               Do trees have faces? We decided to take a close look from both sides. 

          Abbey followed the practice of taking out only what you bring in; taking a photo of a Trillium to share with others at the library. 

See photos of a few of our observations posted on iNaturalist. Links are below.

Possible Gyromitra korfii https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/156114474

Crow Wing https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/156115335

Bird Feather (Guessing a turkey or owl) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/156115539

For details on the next JFiN "observe and discover" Nature walk view the JFiN page. 

Check out Nature-inspired Comics by Bernie (new comics weekly). Comic #73 shows an Eastern Newt observed at Mills Riverside Park a few days before today's walk. 

You are also invited to participate in J.U.L.S. "Jericho Underhill Life Search" at any time. Participate in JULS for fun, for science, and for competition. And read what others have said are some compelling reasons to observe insects and other wildlife @ Jericho & Underhill Life Search - Game on! How Naturalistic Observations in the Green Mountain State of Vermont Can Enhance Your Life.