Harford Land Trust - Outdoor Activities a Big Hit

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Outdoor Activities a Big Hit

Meeting the challenge of keeping our members engaged and entertained when our current economy meant free activities only for 2009 was easy - we turned to Mother Nature, some of her talented friends, and our beautiful Harford County lands.

Tour of Eden Mill Nature Center

In January, we had a wonderful tour of Eden Mill Nature Center led by Frank Marsden. The small but hearty group visited the newly refurbished nature center and loved our trek through the mill. We were so fortunate to have Frank's talents and time pointing out all the details of how the mill once operated and generated electricity. Did you know there are plans underway to once again generate electricity at Eden Mill Dam?

Gulls and Eagles At Conowingo Dam

Okay, this one was c o l d - but if you pack enough birders on a platform overlooking the rushing water below the dam, the wind gets blocked a bit. If you pretend you can't find a certain gull everyone is talking about, they hover all around you pointing it out. In the end, you've located the right bird, and had a whole bunch of nice people keep you warm! For those who knew what they were doing like our leader, avid birder and HLT broad member Les Eastman, they managed to find 26 species of birds including an Eastern Phoebe, a Golden-crowned Kinglet, a Peregrine Falcon, Hermit Thrush and a Winter Wren. We even spotted a Lesser Black-backed Gull, which was an unusual gull to be found.

Winter Explore at Forest Greens Lake Preserve

Fun for every age and made even better by the expanse of those ages. Have you ever wondered what's crawling around under the bark of a dead tree in February? Lots of strange things lurk there and under rocks and in hollow trees and even on ferns and we got to see them all. As leader Glenn Dudderar, HLT's vice president, poked around so the "kids" could find creepy treasurers, the adults got a first hand look at a whole new world. The leisurely walk around the lake brought us close to ducks, vernal pools, wetland marsh, a great blue heron, bottom land forest, and a garter snake. To the delight of everyone, Glenn valiantly tried to expose squirrels, their cousins the flying squirrels, mice and who ever else might have been home by knocking loudly on hollow trees. If they were in there, they remained in hiding!

Spring Hike at Raven Rock

Our inaugural hike of newly acquired Raven Rock was so much fun. Led again by Glenn Dudderar and with HLT Director Peg Niland assisting, this enthusiastic group hiked to the highest point and namesake rock and then down, down, down to Deer Creek. Most of the group joining us came from the very active Harford Senior Outings Club. Spotted along the creek were early spring flowers: hepatica, toothwort, squirrel corn, bloodroot and spring beauty. After marveling at the breath-taking views we concluded the hike with birthday cake for several participants and more comraderie.

Earth Day Celebration

Another success story at Otter Creek Woods in Edgewood. Shoulder to shoulder, armed with yellow and blue bags and our trusty trash spears, we attacked the roadsides. With hammers, saws, and pry bars we assaulted a two-story "fort." At times our nature warriors weakened, but never gave up. Nature had taken a terrible beating over the winter, but our valiant band of hunters and volunteers would not be defeated. We celebrated our victory with a feast of hotdogs and beans.

Kayaking on Broad Creek and Conowingo Lake

A highlight of our outdoor series, our kayak trip brought out a record crowd on a warm June day. Joining us on this explore were members of the Harford Senior Outings Club. Local environmentalist Bob Chance supplied many of the kayaks and canoes and accompanied the group. For many, this was their first experience in a kayak. HLT member Jim Cawood gave everyone a quick lesson on how to get into a kayak without going for a swim and the basics of paddling. Beth Cawood led the group upstream on Broad Creek and then out to the Conowingo Lake. Along the way the group saw many great blue herons, hawks, several eagles, turtles and water snakes. The group stopped for a cookout at HLT Director Peg Niland's cabin where President Harry Webster flipped hamburgers and hotdogs. Several of the novice paddlers enjoyed the experience so much that they returned later in the summer on their own in their brand new kayaks!

Kayaking on Forest Greens Lake

Led by Chuck Mezan, HLT webpage designer and Forest Greens resident, our group headed to the lake for a morning tour. To our surprise, each stroke of our paddles harvested long strands of milfoil and hydrilla, Bay grasses that made it nearly impossible to advance our kayaks. After some hardy laughs, we exited the lake by polling, crossed the road, and re-launched into Deep Spring Creek. The creek's meanders made the trip especially interesting because you couldn't see what was around the next bend. The transition from freshwater tidal marsh with its broad leaf cattails, to brackish marsh with narrow leaf cattails was fascinating. The only intrusions on the quiet of this pristine little creek were the young bald eagles, hawks and ospreys flying over the marshes and the sudden burbling of frogs as we paddled to the confluence of the creek with Bush River and back.

Fall Foliage Hike at Raven Rock

Three days of rain that didn't end until moments before our hike discouraged members and friends from attending what surely looked like a washout. Nevertheless, we had a strong turnout of board members and guest Jack Dettner, Harford Senior Outings Club, and we had a wonderful time. While footing was a bit slippery, the trees still had plenty of colorful leaves to enjoy and the swift flowing Deer Creek was mesmerizing from either the rock outcroppings or walking along side.
Make this a "must do" activity for next year if you enjoy a crisp autumn morning hike!

See our 2010 Calendar of Events and join us for a hike, kayak, or birding event this year.

Last Updated ( Monday, 18 January 2010 )