Observations of Regular Visitors to Our Nature Preserves
Ray Steup - Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run 1/22/2012:
"These amazing ice formations cling to the rock at Hathaway preserve in Wabash County."
Adam Wylie - Bicentennial Woods 12/18/2011:
"It looks like falling trees aim for this stairway, now looking old and battered but perfectly suited for the place on this beautiful, peaceful morning."
Robert Winebrinner - Munro Nature Preserve 10/04/2011:
"I made a detour at lunch today to check out the Munro preserve. I walked the trail and luckily stumbled into this little lady. I believe it is a Spined Micrathena"
Alan and Kim McCurdy - Kokiwanee Nature Preserve 9/06/2011:
"Don't go into the Paw-paw patch with anyone else but me. I remember singing this song as a child. My husband, Alan, and I love looking for Paw-paws"
"Beautiful, can't wait to visit after a big rain."
Max D. Fraley - Seven Pillars April 7, 2011:
Dear ACRES,
I have a specific request I would appreciate from the Acres LandTrust. Today I mailed in our family membership of $40 plus $60 for other segments of your fine organization. Last October, 2010, my wife and five adult children and six grandchildren visited and treked the pathways of your facility / property across from the Seven Pillars on the Mississinewa River near Peru, Indiana. There was a specific reason for that visitation.
Approximately twenty years ago and after the passing of my father, J.E. "Chuck" Fraley of Converse, Indiana, my brother, Jim Fraley of Ft. Wayne, and I sought out ACRES for the possible purchase of his ranch named "The Ranch of the Seven Pillars". To honor our father, who loved and knew every little inch of the property, we hoped to sell to someone or an agency who would take good care of it and keep it as Mother Nature would approve. Enter ACRES LandTrust as the new owner of the ranch.
A long story told in a short manner explains that our older three children have many wonderful memories of their many escapes to a wonderland filled with the glories of God. Their grandparents took them their many times for periods of pure pleasure. We moved from Indiana to California in 1958, but our many return trips never involved our entire family. Our journey in October was the first time all five children and the grandchildren have ever been able to be together on their Grandpa's ranch, and the recollection of those priceless times has become a permanent mural in their minds.
Your Winter 2011 edition of "Acres Quarterly" has a beautiful artist rendering of the seven Indian caves across the river from the ranch. I would appreciate if you could send me 10-15 copies of that issue to share with my family members. I fully understand it may not be possible, but if it is I am indebted to you. I will be glad to pay the postage and whatever costs your agency would incur.
Kokiwanee - this would be the best weekend to visit Kokiwanee for wildflowers. The river trail has an abundance of variety, even ones that should not be blooming yet. Redbud trees on the horse arena trail are in full bloom.
Wildwood - triliums are in full bloom, bluebells,violets,starting to sight a few more birds.
Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run takes on a whole new beauty in the winter. Thank you for preserving these beautiful places!
Heather Baker at Dustin NP, Huntertown IN 12/28/2009:
Our daily lunchtime visitor!
Jeff Beck 10/25:
I love this property! Today was just perfect. Pleasant temps, sunshine, golden color everywhere we looked. Noted a few interesting fungi, asters, small mammals moving about, and a whole lot of quiet!
Photo by Jeff Beck
Tim at Kokiwanee 11/14:
Well, all the leaves are down and the yellowing leaves of violets, Virginia creeper and wild ginger are poking through the golden carpet. Before the cold and snow comes, it's still a great time to walk the trails and appreciate the distant hills and ravines that had been hidden by the foliage through the summer. Right now I can stand in the Tailwaters parking lot and look north to see our Kissing Falls, then turn around and look south across the Salamonie River and see her twin, the falls at Hominy Ridge in the state forest.Kokiwanee 11/1:
Ron and Judy Green at Asherwood 11/4: Tim's note: Ron Green, Mississinewa Audubon Club, took pictures of a yellow-bellied sapsucker and a red-bellied woodpecker during the group's outing to Asherwood Nature Preserve in Wabash County. Judy reports a brown creeper was also seen.
Tim at Tel-Hy 10/22:
Wow! This weekend was perfect for a drive in the country with all the bright reds and yellows. Leaves are past their peak over at Kokiwanee, but here at Tel-Hy they are still an eye-popping feast of yellows and golds. Note: a couple of the trails are now lined with logs and branches to keep you from getting lost. Enjoy!
Steve at Dustin 10/19:
For those of you who were listening to the unknown bird on the deck at Dustins tonight – I listened to the bird calls CD and it sure seems like the calls we were hearing were for a Great Blue Heron. Now, if somebody can figure out why it was making those sounds, we'll be sittin' pretty!
Brad at Wing Haven 10/10:
The first Red-breasted Nuthatch and Dark-eyed Juncos made their appearance today at Wing Haven. Several flocks of White-throated Sparrows can be seen along the woodland edges. A few are singing too!
Fringed Gentian is in flower now along the gentian lake shore, but it takes a sharp eye to find them in the appropriate habitat. If you look for them, watch out from above, paw paws are a-falling!
Cub Scout Pack 3171 of Waterloo, Indiana at the Fogwell Forest fungus hike 10/1: Tim's note: The scouts were an enthusiastic part of the fungus hike, and we were sorry they had to leave early for another activity. Den leader Matt Lennon sent in some of the picture phone images, taken during their visit, which show the huge variety of fungi they saw:
.jpg)
.jpg)
