What we’re about
Open, informal group for the appreciation of nature and wildflowers. Also for birders, butterfly lovers, and folks concerned about declining numbers of bees. We'll take field-trips to see wildflowers in nature, in gardens, and in nurseries. In winter, we'll meet for coffee or cocktails.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Forensic Botanizing: Fall Fruits IDAnchor Diamond Park at Hawkwood, Ballston Lake, NY
PLEASE NOTE: To attend, you must (1) RSVP to reserve your spot (as this event will be limited to 21 participants) AND (2) send an email request to david.behm.curiousbynature@gmail.com for directions as to where we will meet. My reply will also include a link for you to download my Forensic Botanizing: Fall Fruits ID digital guide onto your personal mobile device for your use trailside during this unique outing.
Join me for a fun guided walk at Anchor Diamond Park at Hawkwood (Town of Ballston) to search for and identify a variety of the fruits now on display.
Without flowers (and sometimes no leaves as well), it can be a challenge to identify plants – particularly forbs – in an autumn landscape. The likely answer to the question, “What is that?”, is often revealed by observing any (and preferably more than one) of the following clues:
• the color, texture, hairiness, and thickness of certain plant parts;
• the plant’s branching or leaf pattern;
• the type of fruit present (and possibly its scent) such as nuts, berries, or seed pods; or
• the habitat in which the plant is growing.Please wear proper footwear for muddy conditions.
Come along for a fun outing to search for and identify a variety of the fruits now on display.
Weather cancellation: This event will be cancelled if any of the following is occurring or is forecast for this destination at that time:
- thunderstorms (or any other severe weather),
- moderate or heavy rainfall (i.e., more than drizzle/mist or intermittent showers), or
- gusty or sustained winds (i.e., treetops are noticeably swaying back and forth).
- Foraging for Wild Edibles: AutumnberriesTrailhead - Historic Champlain Canalway Trail, Saratoga County, NY
The trailhead parking area for the Historic Champlain Canalway Trail (Town of Halfmoon) is located on both sides of Upper Newtown Road, which is <0.25-mile west of Route 4.
We’ll meet just past the gate at the edge of the parking area (south side of road) where the trail heads south. We’ll head south along the trail to where McDonald Creek flows through the culvert and wastewater weir, just south of Old Lock 7 (~0.8 mile from parking lot), and then return to the parking lot. Most of our foraging will occur near McDonald Creek. Trail surface is crushed stone, but our foraging will largely occur off-trail as we step off it into taller grassy areas and perhaps amongst some brushy areas along our route, so please wear proper attire and footwear.
Prior to this foraging walk, please view Foraging for Wild Edibles: Autumnberries for tips on how to identify Autumn-olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) and how to forage for it. You may also want to peruse some recipes for your culinary consideration by viewing my prior post, Autumn-olive Fruit - How to ID and Enjoy, published on 10/5/2019.
PLEASE NOTE: You may keep whatever quantity you pick and everyone will be encouraged to harvest as much as possible as doing so may help limit the spread of this invasive species – please do your part in helping to control it!
Throughout our foraging walk, we’ll also observe and identify any wildflowers in bloom that we encounter.
Weather cancellation: This event will be cancelled if any of the following is occurring or is forecast for this destination at that time:
- thunderstorms (or any other severe weather),
- moderate or heavy rainfall (i.e., more than drizzle/mist or intermittent showers), or
- gusty or sustained winds (i.e., treetops are noticeably swaying back and forth).
