Top Photo: Groundhog (Marmota monax).

Groundhogs, or woodchucks, are members of the squirrel family, a ground squirrel. The one shown here lives under a large oak stump that lays on its side in Wander Away opposite the Sailboat Pond in Catch the Wind. If you’re quiet while passing through Wander Away you might get a glimpse of the large rodent.

Can you spot the Canada Geese in the photo below? We currently have three pairs vying for territory in the wetlands.

A pair of red-shouldered hawks have chosen to nest in the same tree as they did last year. You can’t help but hear their piercing ka-yeeer, ka-yeeer, ka-yeeer throughout the grounds. They’re naturally vocal birds, even more so during breeding season.

The male is constantly on the hunt for frogs and other small prey to deliver to the female as part of their courtship. DeKay’s brown snake seems to be at the top of the menu as I’ve witnessed many captures of the small serpent in the past few weeks.

Lenten rose is in bloom on the Dinosaur Trail. This low level plant with its evergreen leaves and drooping flowers is easy to miss. You’ll be rewarded by flipping up the flowers for a closer look.

The name lenten refers to the time of year the flowers bloom, during Lent, a period of fasting observed by certain religious followings preceding Easter.

And finally, I count six yellow-bellied sliders enjoying the sun (below).

Yellow-bellied sliders are the most numerous aquatic turtle in our wetland. Others include red-eared slider (a subspecies of yellow-bellied slider), eastern painted, common musk, and common snapping turtles.

If I were you, I’d get out and have a look around.

Ranger Greg