Hello fellow nature lovers and Skaneateles Conservation Area users, this blog is for us. Hear something? Write about it. See something? Let us know. Let's share our knowledge and experiences using the properties. On the east side of town the Skaneateles Conservation Areas include the Federal Farm, the Guppy Farm,and the O'Loughlin property which have been connected by a series of trails. On the southwest side of town, the Mabel Reynolds property stands undeveloped at the present but hopefully trails will be developed in the future.

I hope that all users of this blog will help record nature sightings as the years progress which can enhance all visits to these properties.

Guppy Falls

Friday, December 31, 2010


What a day to be outside....sun and above 40! Snow was melting and out at Mable Reynolds there were an amazing amount of animal tracks ranging from large ones to these small ones. Happy New Year to all!

Thursday, December 30, 2010


Christmas vacation is great. I can walk the trails before it is getting dark. We saw signs of a squirrel hunter today at Guppy Farm. People do hunt this area all year round. The waterfall in winter.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010


We found lots of flocks of robins today scattered around pockets of water seeping up in spots on the O'Loghlin hillside. They and the deer had been scratching in the wet leaves in these areas.

Monday, December 27, 2010


Finally had time today to get back on conservation area lands. Although I've been told not to worry about hunters on the properties I avoid walking in the woods during deer season.

The snow had been packed down in a nice walking trail by snowshoes at the O'Loughlin property. The big hemlocks blocked some of the wind we would've felt walking up on the west facing ridge at the federal farm. Much rabbit activity was noted under rose and berry bushes. Nice to be in the woods again.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010


Still learning about ferns. This one is a wood fern. It stays green most of the winter and grows in a vase-like clump.

Friday, October 15, 2010


I love coming up to Guppy Falls on a rainy day to look at the waterfall.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010


On Saturday a bunch of workers from the conservation area committee helped to cut down invasive species such as buckthorn, daphne, and honeysuckle. We also rerouted the trail around the fallen tree on the trail up to Guppy Falls. Also on the trail are these witch hazels blooming now.

Thursday, October 7, 2010


After the rail, the water is running quite well. This picnic table was built by the YCIP students from LaFayette this summer. Grab your cider and apples: this is a beautiful spot for a fall picnic.

Sunday, October 3, 2010


We drove up to the Reynolds Nature Preserve as Greg and Dave were leaving. They had just mapped out a new trail which loops through the eastern part of the property. You can follow the old tractor trail all the way to the east and then the newly scoped out trail turns to the north and loops around. A great walk and could be a great place to cross-country ski in the winter. Hopefully some volunteers will be cutting the trail in the near future.

As we walked in there were many apple trees we walked by. The one that caught our eye was the crab apple with the gorgeous eye popping red apples.

Just a reminder to all who use the conservation lands that bow season starts on Oct. 16th.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010


Fall and spring are probably my favorites for walking through the woods. The colors are ever-changing and small things can be stunning.

Sunday, September 26, 2010


The trails are crunchy with fallen dry leaves today. Virginia creeper is providing the best reds in the wood at the moment.

Saturday, September 18, 2010


We walked through the fields at the Federal Farm today and were treated to golden rod and asters which came up to our shoulders. The honey bees were busy but the monarch butterflies stole the show.

Monday, September 13, 2010


The woods are taking on autumnal smells. Quite a bit of color around due to late summer blooming flowers. One is the white snakeroot. The little flowers look like small explosions.

Sunday, September 12, 2010


It was looking like the beginnings of fall today up at the Federal Farm. The hawthorne fruit was a beautiful color of red orange.

Friday, September 10, 2010


The boardwalk across the wetlands on the Bob Sykes trail were alive with these dragonflies today. If you stopped they would come rather close allowing me to take a picture.

Thursday, September 9, 2010


Saw these giant puff balls at the Guppy Farm last week when I didn't have my camera with me. I was happy to find another today. My car keys are in the foreground for scale.

Monday, August 30, 2010


The grasshoppers crossed the walkway on the Bob Sykes Trail before me today. At the far edge are a number of great lobelia's in bloom.

On a more disturbing note, someone felt the need to cut the lock off the chain at the entrance to the Federal Farm and drive in. If someone witnesses vandalism please call the county sheriff, Janet Aaron, the town clerk or notify me. Too many people have put in time to create and maintain these beautiful areas to allow vandalism occur unnoticed.

Friday, August 27, 2010


Always something to look at- even if it is small.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010


After the rain, the fungi come out. This one is spindle coral, I think.

Thursday, August 19, 2010


This is one of the many wooden structures that have been built due to the generosity of Bob Sykes. He has milled the wood and donated it the town to build many bridges, walkways and tables on town conservation lands. Tonight he will be honored by the Skaneateles Town Board for this gift.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010


Back from vacation and the deer flies are gone...what a treat! The slug was having a meal on the fungi.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010


After the rains of Friday, the fungi are really blooming. What color!

Monday, July 26, 2010


This picture was taken on Friday during WelchAllyn's Community Day. These are some of the wonderful volunteers who braved the inclement conditions to take care of the conservation area lands. Thanks to all and especially to Jim Colvin who organized this project with Bill Pavlus.

Sunday, July 25, 2010


This family of geese were enjoying the higher water levels due to the rain last night. Wet and slippery walking on the trails. The bridge at the O'Loughlin property looked great after being repaired by our friends from WelchAllyn!

Saturday, July 24, 2010


Yesterday, many people from WelchAllyn worked hard helping out the conservation areas by trimming, weed whacking, and replacing boards on a vandalized bridge. Their help was tremendous especially considering the downpour they worked through. The work crew was led by Bill Pavlus and Dick Marx who spend countless hours making the conservation areas an amazing resource for all, Our heart felt thanks go out to all the workers!

Some ferns look so much alike that identification has been hard for me. I believe this picture is a Hay scented fern. The clue to the identification were the little nest shaped sori on the underside of he frond.

Monday, July 19, 2010


Continuing on with ferns, I spotted these Maidenhair ferns along the cliff trial at Guppy Farm today. Another easy fern to identify due to its unique shape.

Also wanted to mention for all those people who like to hike, the meadows near the woods at the Camillus Unique Area off Thompson Road are awash with wildflowers. Hiked there yesterday and was amazed at the beauty of these fields. Saw many kinds of rudebekia, poppies, queen anne's lace, and coreopsis. Definitely worth a visit.

Saturday, July 10, 2010


This is what the fishing derby is all about.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010


Fern of the day is the Christmas Fern. Good way to remember this one is that each individual leaflets look like a Christmas stocking. It is also green all year round which makes it easy to spot.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010


Thought I would blog a bit about ferns, mostly so I could learn more about them too. The fern today is the sensitive fern one of the easiest to identify.

Thursday, June 24, 2010


Found this painted turtle crawling across the driveway of the Federal Farm We helped him into the weeds on the side.

Sunday, June 20, 2010


If the deer flies didn't bother you today, the walking was fine with a lovely breeze in the cool woods. The wild leeks are nothing but a small fireworks on a stalk now.

Saturday, June 19, 2010


This morning 16 volunteers worked on cat tail eradication to help make it easier for our young friends at the upcoming Fishing Derby sponsored by the Skaneateles Area Advisory Committee on July 10th. Ages 4-15 are welcome to try to find the big fish that lurk in the pond. Thanks to all of the workers.

Saturday, June 12, 2010


The fields at the Federal Farm were a colorful carpet of wildflowers today.

Thursday, June 10, 2010


There is nothing like a walk in the woods after work to help melt away the days stresses. These charming partridge berries were blooming alongside the Bob Sykes Trail.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010


Stunningly clear afternoon. Met up with two of our committee members at the beginning of my walk who were getting DEC approval for a wheelchair accessible platform that will be built this summer at the O'Loughlin property. Always makes me thinks of the Adirondaks at this spot.

Sunday, June 6, 2010


Squishy walking today with the sounds of the Guppy stream rushing down the stream bed. The greens were made more vibrant
by the water.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010


Also noticed the remnants of turtle eggs in the crumbly shale that had become dinner for a skunk or raccoon.

We went to the O'Loghlin property today and were treated to a stand of blue flags by the gate.

Monday, May 31, 2010


Hot day in the forest. Deer flies followed us as we strolled up to Guppy Falls. We heard and then saw a red bellied woodpecker in the woods. Went to the Cornell ornithology site, http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker/id, to listen to the call of this woodpecker. We saw this little blue eyed grass hiking up to the falls. Spring wildflowers have given way to blackberry flowers wherever a little sun gets to the forest floor.

Monday, May 24, 2010


Hot day, but much cooler in the woods. Scared up two deer beating the heat under a tree. The may apples are looking pretty good.

Sunday, May 16, 2010


Saw this pretty bush on the trail up to the waterfall at the Guppy Farm. Does anyone know what this is? Met up with four people near the waterfall. One was climbing the falls and two were at the top. As we we talked to one of them the boy climbing the falls slid down ten feet or so bringing quite a lot of debris along the side. It is not a good idea to climb the falls from an erosion or safety viewpoint.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010


Under the hemlocks on the O'Loughlin property many star flowers are blooming.

This poor turtle had been hit by a car before I saw him on Gully Road. I picked the turtle up and moved it to the side of the road where it moved off into the brush. I don't know if the cut on the shell will heal but certainly hope so.

Monday, May 10, 2010


The brilliant sunshine of high pressure today, looking much warmer than it felt. Good amount of water going over Guppy Falls today. Ferns are unfurling all over the place.

Sunday, May 9, 2010


Mother's Day 2010 and we awoke to snow! Walked the Bob Syke's trail this afternoon and saw many new leaves down from yesterday's wind. The honeysuckle looked nice although the smell was diminished due to the cool temperature.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010


Today had it all but warmth: snow, gropple, a little sun, and rain. On Saturday at 9am we will be hosting our annual wild flower walk with Greg MacGee leading the walk from the Guppy Farm kiosk. It is also opening day of turkey season. The walk will take place along the gully trail and Greg will warn any hunters before hand. If you go, you will see this long spurred violets growing along the trail.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Many patches of May apples are up and budding.

Thursday, April 22, 2010


A showy carpet of trillium await all who walk the waterfall trail at Guppy Farm. It is a truly beautiful display in areas on either side of the trail.

Sunday, April 18, 2010


I need help from the viewers of the blog. I know these two masses are the spawn of some sort of frog or salamander but which is which? Any ideas? Please remember that while I do this posting I am hoping to start a dialog with all who use the conservation areas and what they are experiencing. This is for all of us to share sitings.

Friday, April 16, 2010


These little spring beauties (a fitting name) were blooming today on the southwest facing slope going up the hill on the red trail at the O'Loughlin property.