More Than an Audacious Odor
Stripes may look good on your cat, but don’t get the striations from Mephitis mephitis mixed up with your pet. You might end up with an acrid stench you won’t be able to easily get…
Catch a Glimpse of the Spotted Salamander
If you were to make a list of animals rarely seen in our area, you probably would not put a salamander on that list. However, spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) are one our region’s most elusive…
Why You Should Take a Hike
Your health, mood and overall well-being will improve if you get outside and do just that: take a hike. Although walking anywhere is good for you, there is evidence that walking in nature takes it…
What’s a Reservoir?
Look at a map of Winton Lake (Figure 1), Miami Whitewater Forest Lake (Figure 2) or Sharon Lake (Figure 3), and you will notice the irregular, elongated shape of these bodies of water. They appear…
Spying Snowbirds
Typically when we think snowbird, we think of our grandparents heading to Florida for the winter. They escape the cold and fly south to the sunny shores of the Gulf of Mexico. But did you…
1803 Schoolhouse
It’s 1803 at Parky’s Farm. Winter is the time for this second grade program, as much of it is presented inside of the magnificent Hayloft Barn from January through mid-March. The field trip begins with…
Swirling Snowflakes
Snow, in and of itself, seems to be either adored … or loathed. It all depends on perspective, doesn’t it? When one mentions the uniqueness of a single precious snowflake, even the most aggressive haters…
Children’s Nature Stories: An Idea for the Holidays
During the summer of 1996, I volunteered for Great Parks of Hamilton County helping with children’s summer camps. Throughout camp, I assisted the staff in guiding several nature activities, crafts and hikes with the kids.…