Category: Out in the Woods

Out in The Woods

Stream foam near Hanson Ridge Road Rail Trail Trailhead. The newer, white foam is on the upstream section, left Photo Credit: Kevin McKeon Nature Brews Organic Foam By: Kevin McKeon, Maine Master Naturalist Enter the Rail Trail at Hanson Ridge Trailhead and look to your right near the opening to the granite box culvert — or really, look beside any woodland stream — and you’ll occasionally see a foamy mass. What is this sudsy-looking stuff? There’s a natural explanation. Pour…

Out In the Woods

Fallen Leaves Along a Sanford Footpath Photo Credit: Kevin McKeon Leaf Colors By Kevin McKeon, Maine Master Naturalist In Sanford, and many other places worldwide, the landscape’s leaf colors slowly change from summer’s green to the vibrant reds, oranges, yellows and purples of autumn. Even the brown leaves that linger add to this colorful mural. So, what causes nature to offer us this wonderful creation? Leaves make food in a chemical process called photosynthesis. This involves using energy from the…

Out In the Woods

Nodding Ladies’ Tresses along Fen Trail, McKeon ReservePhoto Credit: Kevin McKeon By: Kevin McKeon, Maine Master Naturalist Common Orchid Gives Off Uncommon Fragrance We all know about Maine’s favorite orchid, the Lady Slipper, or “Moccasin Flower.” But it’s only one of 48 orchids native to Maine. An orchid that’s relatively easy to both find and pass by is the Nodding Ladies’ Tresses. There are over a dozen species of Ladies’ Tresses in the United States and three listed in Maine.…

Out In the Woods – Feeding and Age Determine Wooly Bear ‘Forecast’

moth: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren caterpillar: National Weather Service By Kevin McKeon, Maine Master Naturalist We’ve all seen wooly bear caterpillars crawling around. “Where are you going? What kind of winter will we have? Your black band is smaller than your orange one, so what are you telling me? Why are you in a ball?” Let’s begin with folklore—and those colored bands. The black bands describe the upcoming winter: long bands indicate a long, cold, snowy season. If it’s…

Out in the Woods – A Greenhouse Goes Up

L to R in photo: Mason Lane, an intern from Sanford Regional Technical Center, Harold Porter, Bert Van Leeuwen, David Yuill, and Kevin McKeon. By: Kevin McKeon, Mousam Way Land Trust director People who grow flowers and veggies at Sanford Community Garden will soon have a sheltered space to start seeds. Members of Mousam Way Land Trust are erecting a greenhouse next to Sanford Community Garden, thanks to donations from Mike Terro and Kelly Tarbox, former owners of Springvale Nurseries…