Event Photo Gallery
April 13, 2008
Amphibian and Bird Watching Hike
Cooler weather and a brisk wind didn't discourage over two dozen members and guests or deter the final count for the April 13th Amphibian and Bird Walk at Great Pond State Park. Led by Roaring Brook Nature Center Director, and SLT member, Jay Kaplan, the bird count exceeded twenty and the amphibian count totaled six.
Circling the pond, hopping vernal pools and crossing boardwalks, the enthusiastic group donning binoculars, guide books and a dip net to scoop up interesting habitats of the pond and flush out local and migratory birds.
Jay interjected interesting quips about forest management, migratory patterns and salamander characteristics while calling in the warblers and catching fairy shrimp and a juvenile green frog. The group also had the treat of observing mergansers and a pied billed grebe up close and personal compliments of a viewing scope set up by Dick Clark, a SLT member and avid photographer.
With Jays vast knowledge of birds, amphibians and local habitat, the time passed all too quickly. He so easily makes ventures outdoors pleasurable and informative. Following is a list of species identified.
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Birds
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Amphibians
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- Coopers Hawk
- Pied-Billed Grebe
- Canada Goose
- Mallard
- Black Duck
- Ring-Necked Duck
- Common Merganser
- Kingfisher
- Killdeer
- Black Capped Chickadee
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Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
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Golden-Crowned Kinglet
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Palm Warbler
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Pine Warbler
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Yellow-Rumped Warbler
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Blue Jay
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Junco
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Turkey Vulture
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Tree Swallow
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Photos by Dick Clark
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Saturday, April 12, 2008
Volunteer Thank you Breakfast and Steward Day
Over 25 current and potential SLT volunteers attended the April thank you breakfast and information event. Steve Osborn, coordinator for the Property Monitors, presented information on stewarding a property. Many new volunteers signed up to help care for SLT properties. Photos by Dick Clark
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Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Simsbury Land Trust Annual Dinner a big success
Over 150 friends and members of the Simsbury Land Trust attended the Annual Membership Dinner in April at Hop Meadow Country Club. Guests were greeted by a musical presentation courtesy of Jim Martocchio and Damien from Martocchio Music in Avon. The winning photographs from the Annual Photography were on display, and most of the photographers were on hand to receive their awards. This year's program included a special recognition of outgoing SLT President Dick Davis, and our special guest speaker Tom Worthley, a state forester from the UConn Extension Service.
Photos by Dick Clark
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March 1, 2008
Winter Family Hike and Supper
Mother Nature relented and a stormy day ended just as the first hayride was pulling away for our evening family hike and supper held at Flamig Farm. More than 40 hearty members braved the snowy start, and were treated to a wonderful winter walk through the Tulmeadow Farm woodlot. The hayride brought our hikers to the woods entrance, where they left the wagon and walked in the woods. Snowman building and snow ball fights were favorite activities for the young and older hikers!
After the woods walk, the hikers were treated to a dinner of hot soup and sandwiches inside the Flamig Farm event room. We plan to continue this popular annual event.
Photos by Ray Padron
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October 27, 2007
Mushroom and Geocache Hike
Stratton Brook Park
The really wet yet warm conditions but did not dampen the enthusiasm about the fungus found (20+ species in one hour) and the geocache recovered within the Stratton Brook Forest. Marlene Snecinski, of the Connecticut Valley Mycological Society and a Simsbury Land Trust committee member, led a small group along the soggy trails looking for signs of fresh mushrooms while Judy Cooper gave instructions on how to use a GPS device to track and uncover hidden caches along the way. Participants were invited to follow the leads provided by the hand held unit until within less than 10 feet of the hidden "treasure". Once found, a log entry was made along with a swap of a keepsake from the cache. Due to the previous rain from last weekend there was plenty of fungus in all shapes, size and color and much interest in future mushroom club activities. Marlene and Judy plan on an encore hike next year.
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October 20, 2007
Annual Membership Appreciation Celebration
More than 350 Simsbury Residents spent the afternoon at Tulmeadow Farms on a perfect sunny fall day. They enjoyed a free bbq lunch, Tulmeadow Farm ice cream, hayrides and hikes, along with musical entertainment by local group "Legacy". Photos by TJ Donohue
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September 30, 2007
Farm Bike Tour
Nineteen cyclists enjoyed a sparkling Fall morning and the special farms of our town and beyond during SLT’s first annual Simsbury Farm Bike Tour on Sunday, September 30, 2007. Riders had their choice of three guided routes, a 7-mile loop through Weatogue and Simsbury Center, a 15-mile loop from Weatogue to the farms of West Simsbury, and a 25-mile loop which included Holcomb Farm and the Garlic Farm in West Granby, so there was a trip for every ability.
All of our bikers started in Rosedale Farm in Weatogue, and our tour took us to Dewey’s Flower Farm (check out the pickles and relishes!), J.L. Hall Farm (featuring beautiful specialty pumpkins), Town Farm Dairy (moooo), The Garlic Farm (featuring you know what), Holcomb Farm, George Hall (Ogre) Farm (featuring organic produce and George), Flamig Farm (eggs and a petting zoo), and Tulmeadow Farm (ice cream!). We all had an ice cream break at Tulmeadow Farm, and a few indulged in some well-deserved brownies at the end of our ride. The Tour was great fun, and will be an annual SLT event.
Photos by Dick Clark
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