The wet ground in upstate New York forested area was the perfect place for fungi to grow. On one hike here are the various fungi I observed with help from my 2 friends.
Fungi are helpful in decomposing organic material; much needed!
Fungi Galore!
Tag: environment
Fillmore Glen State Park in upstate NY
Fillmore Glen became a state park thanks to the efforts of Charles Atwood. He recognized the beauty and importance of maintaining a place like this for years to come. His efforts began in 1919; finally in June 1925 the 941 acres was recognized as a state park. It is named Fillmore Glen State Park in honor of US President Fillmore.
Visitors can hike the north, south or gorge trail and easily make a 3 mile loop as we did. On the south rim trail we observed many mushrooms … so different from my home desert environment… and completed our loop on the gorge trail.
Wow! Gorge trail is spectacular with waterfalls. Plenty of water was running and falling! We walked in a narrow, steep-walled gorge under trees and protected from the summer heat. It was wonderful and not muddy or buggy.
People can hike, camp, swim in the designated area and fish at the Owasco Lake inlet. Nature Conservancy is also involved in protecting this watershed.
If you are near Moravia, New York, this is definitely a park to visit!
Next blog post I photographed different types of fungi!!! Will share.
Mushrooms in New York State
Mushrooms were everywhere during our latest hike at Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs near Lansing, New York. The mushrooms took on all colors and shapes. I do not know one mushroom/fungi from another, but loved looking at and photographing them. Enjoy!
Finger Lakes Land Trust in NYS
New York State has a new trail thanks to the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Near Lansing New York is a 224 acre protected conservation area named Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs. The out and back 3.4 mile trail can be located on AllTrails app.
Ample parking is available at start, then a leisurely meadow walk and pollinator garden. Great hike for anyone wanting shade. Since it rained recently, we saw numerous examples of fungi. Plenty of black raspberries ready to pick! Further along there are vista points; cliffs over-looking Cayuga Lake; bench available to sit and relax. Four thousand feet of shoreline so better views could be from a boat if you happen to be on the lake!
A trail worth checking out if you are in the area! Bird-wise it was quiet, so I distracted myself looking at mushrooms. Next blog post I’ll share some photos of fungi!
“BirdBuddy” is Cool!
While visiting a friend who loves birds too, I noticed a bird feeder in the backyard. This one though is quite different from others I’ve seen. These bird feeders are solar-powered and with a camera. The camera captures a video of the bird(s) while they feed at the feeder. Cool!
Ruby-throated hummingbird was seen head-on as it slurped the sugary mixture. Wow, few times do we see them from that angle! That feeder is designed especially for hummers. Another feeder had seeds where sparrows and other birds frequented.
If interested in seeing more about these smart bird feeders, check out: https://www.mybirdbuddy.com (I have no affiliation with this company. Do your research to find best deal if you go the purchasing route.) It was fun seeing birds at the feeders and watching the videos on my friend’s phone app. One gets to see a bird close-up and in action! Cool!
Eye Contact, I See!
Recently I saw a new, to me, sign with an important message!
I was in Nashville, Tennessee and saw this sign while standing at a road intersection. The traffic light would soon change and the walk light will come on counting down the seconds for me to cross the road. However, this sign reminds all of us of the importance in looking into the driver’s eyes to see that he or she sees you. I came to realize that an electrical box was blocking their view of me! Glad I looked!
“Get Your Kicks” at Route 66 Museum!
Here’s a museum when you’re driving Interstate 40 east and needing a break in Oklahoma? Route 66 Museum is in Clinton, Oklahoma, a few miles north of the interstate and worth a visit!
The history about this road’s creation is fascinating and the museum shares it all. The 1920’s is when the concept of driving a road from Illinois to California comes into its own. Nine thousand registered OK drivers in 1914 grew to 144,000 in 1920, then to 576,000 in 1930. More people driving meant gas stations, cafes and motels were needed for travelers. The migration of people in the 1930’s due to the lack of rain, the Dust Bowl, increased the use of the “mother road”, Route 66, as many headed west!
Thanks to Cyrus Avery in envisioning such a road, the WPA workers building the road and the business owners along the road providing services to travelers. Unfortunately with President Eisenhower’s Interstate Plan, many towns were bypassed and Route 66 roads were not used. However as we now drive the interstate, there are some people who do drive as much of the old 2448 mile road where possible through the 8 states from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica Pier in California.
You too may stop at Cadillac Ranch by Amarillo, Texas. Cadillacs from 1949-1963 are part of a 1974 installation. The cars are nose-dived into the ground and you can walk up to them and add your spray paint or creative touch!
I have driven and cycled parts of Route 66 and love seeing the old motels, gas pumps, etc. Go out and “get your kicks” on Route 66!
Splooting … Who Does It?
Splooting is a behavior sometimes exhibited by furry, 4-legged animals. They’ll spread out on their stomach with legs and feet extended to stretch and/or cool their body. So on a warm day the animal does this behavior to regulate its body temperature. You may have observed it with your own cat or dog. I observed a Harris’ antelope squirrel splooting on our back patio.
The squirrel was cute to watch! I also realized the squirrel’s fur was thinner on its stomach so body heat could be released onto the cool patio floor. The squirrel took its time to stretch and rest, obviously a safe place for it to hang out. But usually an animal will not sploot for long since that body position makes them more vulnerable to predators. Fortunately this Harris’ antelope squirrel soon took off and was on his way to probably one of the holes dug in our backyard.
New Pedestrian Bridge in Tucson, Arizona
The new pedestrian bridge has been here for a year and I wondered if you have seen or made use of it? People who walk or bicycle ride on the Huckelberry Loop now have a faster way to get across the Santa Cruz River. It’s near Sweetwater Wetlands and Danny Lopez Park. For people on the west side of town, this bridge provides a safe way to travel from one segment of the loop to another. It’s called Suzanne Shields Pedestrian Bridge. Who was Suzanne Shields?
Suzanne Shields was Pima County Flood Control District’s first hydrologist in 1979 and the first director of the flood control district when formed in 2005. The bridge was not only built for recreational activities, walking and cycling, but also to maintain the Santa Cruz River. Construction crews raised the bank protection so the bridge had enough height allowing flood waters to go unimpeded below. It is the first bridge flood control built over the Santa Cruz River spanning over 300 feet and 18 feet wide. We’re having hot days now; few people were there today. I’ll bet early morning hours and once temperatures cool down there will be many enjoying the safe pathway. See you there!
Meet Friends at Black Canyon in CO
Black Canyon at Gunnison National Park is a place I never visited. So when east coast friends mentioned visiting this Colorado national park, I thought well why not meet them there! Wow, that was a good decision!
We drove the south rim road at this national park after a stop at the visitor center which survived a 2025 wildfire here. From the rim’s vista points, it is easy to understand why this park is called the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Looking down the sheer, black canyon walls at nearly 2 billion year old rock, you will eventually see a river 1800 feet below! The walls are massive and it is amazing to realize the river had cut through the uplift’s core of rock a couple of million years ago.
While still on the south rim road, we saw three big horn sheep walk from the rim, across the road to another location.
We also drove the east portal road. There we read signage about the Gunnison Tunnel and diversion dam built between 1905 and 1909. Want to know about a major engineering project, I encourage you to read its history! We walked the road paralleling the Gunnison River which dead ends at Crystal Dam. Looking up on the massive rock walls was truly a different perspective!
