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

Wednesday, March 31, 2010


Yup, too nice a day for one picture, Found this coltsfoot flower on a southwestern slope on the red trail of the O'Loughlin property.

The gray skies moved away and left a wonderful afternoon. This little guy thought so, too.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010


40 degrees and light rain, but in the woods buds are a swelling and things are a growing! Here are some leeks coming up off of the Bob Sykes trail.

Sunday, March 28, 2010


Beware! This is a plant that is blooming now along the walk to Guppy Waterfall and on the O'Loughlin property on the red trail. Do not touch it. There are toxins in the bark, leaves (although they are not out right now) and in the berries that will appear later on. This is from the Nova Scotia Museum: "Daphne, also called spurge laurel, lady laurel, paradise plant, or dwarf bay, is a small shrub about 1–1.5 metres in height. It blooms in early spring, before the appearance of the leaves, with sweet-scented, rose-purple flowers clustered about the stem." It is one of our first flowers but the beauty is one to be very cautious with.

Saturday, March 27, 2010


It was with dismay that we found a fire smoldering today at the waterfall lookout. Obviously, some attempt to put it out had occurred but not a very thorough one. We hiked back down to our cars, found some water bottles, filled them up at the stream and doused the fire. The only place for fires on the conservation lands is by the lean-to at the Federal Farm.

Friday, March 26, 2010


Lots of sunlight, not warm though, after yesterdays rain. This was on the other side of the creek as you walk to Guppy Falls.

Sunday, March 21, 2010



Hepatica leaves mingled with last fall's leaves. Flowers will follow.

Friday, March 19, 2010


Another wonderful sunny day with a slight breeze, drying everything out. Found these little wild leeks poking up straining for that sun.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010


We're blessed with another wonderful day. Trails are still muddy but slowly drying. Lots of evidence of water from last weekend. I saw these footprints in some new mud from runoff.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010


Way too nice a day to be inside. I went walking at the O'Loughlin property today. Lots of mud.

Sunday, March 14, 2010


Must have short pileated woodpeckers here at Mabel Reynold's! We noticed several trees with holes near the ground.

Walked at Mabel Reynolds Nature Preserve today. We were amazed at the numerous deer trails. Came upon two grouse who took off in a whirr as we interrupted the afternoon quiet time.

Saturday, March 13, 2010


The other thing we saw today was a sure sign of spring!

Water, water, water! We walked the Bob Sykes trail today. Lots of water running under the bridge and light rain in the air. Once on the other side of the wetland, we continued south on the trail and saw the effect of the warm weather of this week and the heavy snows last month coursing down the hillside creating many small and delightful waterfalls. Waterproof footgear is a must right now.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010


Spring is getting closer. Geese were filling the air today, a red tail hawk was chased by two crows and rabbit damage shows under melting snow! Lots of mud, too, but not on the trails.

Sunday, March 7, 2010


A wonderful day to be out watching the snow melt and run over the waterfall. Intrepid souls have been up here on skis, snowshoes and just walking. There even is a snowman watching the falls. On the flats above the falls, you can see a path across the stream where the deer have crossed.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010


Lots of places where deer bedded down for the night in the hemlocks east of Gully Road.