Winter is here, and along with the snow comes animal tracks. I love following tracks in freshly fallen snow. There is always a chance you might follow the tracks to their source. Animal tracks can be found year round, but the snow makes them easy to see. In other seasons, I might follow animal tracks…
The Naturalist Notebook
Welcome to the Shaver’s Creek blog! The entries here are posted by staff, interns, and volunteers, and aim to keep you informed about the programs, updates, and natural history happenings here at the Creek. Enjoy!
These winds are cold, and they make me feel alive… As December winds blow cold, I am becoming increasingly aware of transformations taking place in and around me. We are in a time of change, transitioning from season to season with each passing day. Trees have shed leaves, animals have prepared for the winter to…
The day had come. That celebrated, highly anticipated, and yet dreaded, day. I graduated from Penn State University this spring, on May 4th, 2013. Two degrees, honors, a thesis, study abroad, and countless other merits and experiences to my name. The future seemed bright but yet I had no idea what I wanted to do…
From astronomers near and far, we heard the rumors: Comet ISON could be the comet of the century. It’s amazingly bright; the intensity of it is almost undreamed-of. Astronomers in the conference rooms of Davey Lab were giddy with excitement. Wake up at dawn, grab your telescope, and get out of town, because this 19th magnitude beauty will be worth whatever…
In the spirit of appreciation, I would like to share a few things about Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center that I sincerely appreciate. I appreciate that each day when I come to work, I am empowered. Here at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, it takes a whole village to keep the ship sailing smoothly, be the waters…
November is upon us and with it comes Kids Corner, filled with games, songs, crafts, stories, and even puppet shows! The excitement and unabashed curiosity of the young children in attendance is a constant delight, and makes me appreciate the exceptional beauty of simple things—a bit of construction paper and tape is soon transformed into…
We welcome you to Outdoor School, we’re really glad you’re here… We’ll send the air reverberating with a mighty cheer! This cheer welcomes a caravan of buses every week of the spring and fall seasons to Outdoor School for a magical week of exploring and learning. Outdoor School is an environmental education program that serves…
Go play outside! The beauty that surrounds us in the fall is so magnificent. As you take time on your commute to and from work or school, or in your explorations of the woods, notice the palette of colors evident in the fall flowers. This time of year is decorated with the oranges and golds…
The wind is pushing at our backs, while sunshine ladles itself liberally onto skin, trees, and the cornfields below. The three of us sit on top of a mountain ridge, resting on a bench. We’re looking for birds. It’s quiet, and we gaze north. A large vista stretches out below us, with semis looking like…
If you’re like me, then you’re on the lookout for the annual migration of Monarchs through your area. Easily the most well-known of butterflies in our part of the world, the Monarch is famous for its beauty and the long trek it takes from Canada and the northern United States to its wintering…