IMN Annual Gathering in Fort Wayne

A schedule for the 2011 Indiana Master Naturalist Annual State Gathering at Fox Island County Park in Fort Wayne, IN :
Friday September 30 5:30pm-6:30pm Registration--Fox Island Nature Center
6:30pm Welcome by Park and Ed. Manager, Ron Zartman
7:30pm Miami Indian Presentation (tobacco purifying ceremony, and
a talk on native plant use by Miami Indians)

Saturday October 1 8:00am-9:00am Early Birder's Hike at Eagle Marsh
9:30-11:30am Eagle Marsh tour
12pm-1:00pm Lunch at Casa Ristorante (included in registration fee)
1:15-3:30pm Fox Island Fall Foray--an historical tour/hike in the Park

For more details please refer to earlier email containing the registration form or email keleicher@gmail.com

Eagle Slough Tour on June 20, 2011
About 25 attended our last SIMNA meeting/field trip to Eagle Slough Natural Area. A stiff breeze kept insects away for the most part, and it also helped with humidity. We were impressed with all the volunteer efforts that went into making this former ugly dumping site into a nice nature trail complete with interpretive signage and viewing/photography deck. Our tourguide was ESNA key supporter, Greg Myer. He explained the history of the area which was once a railway. Remnants of that railway can still be seen. He pointed out the Bald Cypress trees which are part of the slough's attractions. Also, he told us that the area was a great birding spot during migration periods, and also about some of the other wildlife which uses the area.

Thanks to Greg, thanks to Eleanor for snacks, and thank you to all who were able to attend!

Kathy

Visit Nature Center

Hi SIMNA!

Well, we had a nice Saturday at the Birding Festival--no rain, pleasant temps, and a steady flow of bird lovers. Thanks to all who volunteered!

If you have ever seen a Rose-breasted Grosbeak(pictured in the post before this one), you know what a treat it is. But have you ever seen a Blue Grosbeak? Well, if you visit the Nature Center bird-watching room, you have a good chance of seeing one. I myself just added it to my life list on Saturday. This pic below is from a website, but I hope to get my own photo of the real thing in this coming week. Hurry to see it, it may be a fleeting Kodak moment. Be patient!!!

See you on May 16 at the Museum at 6:00pm for our next meeting. Details will be mailed out by our secretary a week before.

Kathy

P.S. Blue Grosbeaks are hard to spot in the wild, and just the very southern tip of Indiana is included in their breeding range.

Ohio Valley Birding Festival

The 2011 Ohio Valley Birding Festival will
begin on April 27 through May 1 with lots of activities for all ages. Please go to www.ohiovalleybirdingfestival.org/ for the schedule of events. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Eldon Greij, founder of Birder's World magazine.
Event is presented by Evansville Audubon Society.
Many Master Naturalists will be volunteering their time and talents to make this festival educational for all.
for

April 17, 2011 Wildflower Walk

Greetings!
You missed a great nature encounter if you were not at USI for the monthly SIMNA gathering/tailgate meeting on April 17.

A group of approx. 14 went on a wildflower ID walk in the rich woodlands at the back of USI on well-used trails. We encountered Jack-in-the- Pulpit (some large specimens), Trout Lily going to seed, Wood Phlox, blooming Mayapple, Giant Star Chickweed(yes we have a beautiful native one), a patch of Iris Cristata which we wish was blooming, Dutchman's Breeches, and Goldenseal, much more!

We were glad to have UE botanist, Ann Powell, with us to help with verification, scientific names, and great books to show details.
Weather was perfect, and before we knew it, we had spent 2 hours out there.

Everyone enjoyed Kathy's Trail Cookies also, served out of the trunk of her car!

Please join us on May 16 for our next SIMNA gathering as we meet at The Evansville Museum for a special reception to new IMNs and a customized tour of Pat Brentano's exhibit. More info to come on that.

Kathy