May Urban Nature Walk at Cutler Park

[urbpan]

Yesterday we held the May Urban Nature Walk despite the technicality that it was June first. We went to Cutler Park, a 600 acre marsh on the Charles River. We had more participants than any previous walk, I suspect, although it's hard to tell because some people arrived later and some left early! There were three small children, one teenager, and two dogs. All present were enthusiastic nature lovers, including people who knew a lot about plants, reptiles, birds, insects, mushrooms, and so on. These photos are mostly about the people--I can't wait to see everyone's pictures of all the cool creatures we found.



This is the transition from the open marsh to the wooded area.

EDITED TO ADD THIS PHOTO

Somehow missed this one when I posted this the first time through: this witch hazel bush was fully infested with witch hazel cone gall aphids! Check out the crazy spike-shaped gall, protecting the little Hormaphis hamamelidis inside.


Train tracks run through the park, and a tunnel that allows you to pass under them is an ever-changing gallery of graffiti.






By the end we had dwindled down to 6 (one of us would rather take the group shot than be in it).


Congratulations to the 3 hour, 3 mile group!







On the way out, freed of the feeling of needing to narrate the walk, I found these mating beetles.
EDITED to add, two of our walkers have independently identified these beetles as Disonycha sp. flea beetles.


A quaint and creepy stone shack (remnant of the park's history as a water utility?) marks the end of the trail.

Comments

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

It was a lot of fun! I love finding new places to explore, and it's even more fun with a group of enthusiastic people.

[urb-banal.livejournal.com]

That is so cool. I wish I could go on one.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I wish you could too!

[elainetyger.livejournal.com]

Love the balloon-dog aerosol art, and of course the beetles. As it looks now (based on testimonials of other people with same/similar injury), I doubt I'll be able to do a walk like that until next spring, but I enjoy seeing your pictures of each one.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Oh that's sad. :(
Feel better soon! I wish I was close enough to come visit, have a drink, and get my ass handed to me at scrabble by you.