Monthly Archives: March 2012

Colors of March – How Many Can You Find?

Posted on March 28, 2012 by

Right now we’re immersed in a crayon box of color. Purple, pink, yellow, and every shade of green. Even with Spring in full bloom though, sometimes we don’t even notice the details of nature. The “outdoors” is almost only a backdrop … Continue reading →

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A “Green” Scavenger Hunt

Posted on March 23, 2012 by

If you’re looking for an activity to let children run free, explore, and have fun in the outdoors – Oregon Ridge Nature Center offers many programs – such as last week-end’s St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt. Note: To protect children’s … Continue reading →

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Celebrating Spring – The Vernal Equinox

Posted on March 20, 2012 by

The 1st day of spring! We smile. We cheer. And we breathe a big sigh of relief that winter is officially over. No matter how mild our winter was, we’re glad to put it behind us. Celebrating the return of … Continue reading →

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Thinking About Starting a Vegetable Garden?

Posted on March 17, 2012 by

Juicy red tomatoes, warm from the sun. A salad of fresh-clipped lettuce leaves. The scent of basil & oregano cut from your own pot of herbs. Home-grown food is more appealing. And we’re branching out from the more traditional vegetables … Continue reading →

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Quacks & Peeps – the Sounds of Spring

Posted on March 13, 2012 by

Post updated on March 21, 2012: Audio of wood frogs trilling in the meadow can be found on blog by fellow Master Naturalist Martha Johnston  The “quack” of wood frogs and the “peep” of spring peepers will greet you as … Continue reading →

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Planet-Watching, or: Where Have All the Stars Gone?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by

We’ve entered into a fascinating six-month phase where you’ll be able to see five planets at various times during the night (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn). Planets shine far brighter than stars, so they are more easily seen. Thank … Continue reading →

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Maple Sugaring – You Can Do This At Home! A photo-essay

Posted on March 8, 2012 by

Tapping maple trees to collect their sap & make delicious maple syrup is limited to a certain area of the world: the northeast part of this continent. Here in Maryland, we’re lucky to just fall within that range. Sap flowing … Continue reading →

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Do You Hear Bird Song in the Morning?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by

A sure sign that spring is arriving is hearing birdsong in the morning, just before the sun rises. I get to hear that. Do you? “Over increasingly large areas of the United States,” wrote Rachel Carson in Silent Spring, “spring … Continue reading →

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Celebrating the Sun’s Return – Groundhog Day

Posted on March 8, 2012 by

The origin of Groundhog Day goes way back to ancient Celtic times and is associated with the goddess Brigid (later named a saint in Christianity). This day celebrated the first signs of spring, giving hope that light, warmth, and growth … Continue reading →

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Squirrel Appreciation Day

Posted on March 8, 2012 by

Squirrel Appreciation Day was created by wildlife rehabilitator Christy Hargrove of Asheville, North Carolina to bring attention to the most common mammal most of all will see at Oregon Ridge Park – the furry, friendly squirrel. In case you missed the event, … Continue reading →

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