Ramble Report April 25 2019

Ramble Report April 25 2019

Today’s Ramble was led by Dale Hoyt.

Here’s the link
to Don’s Facebook album for today’s Ramble. (All the photos in this post are
compliments of Don, unless otherwise credited.)

Today’s post was written by Dale Hoyt.

Today’s Focus:
Seeking what we find in the Dunson Garden down to the River Cane.

26 Ramblers met today.

Announcements:
Next Weds., May 1, Emily will lead the monthly guided walk at Sandy Creek
Nature Center. Walk starts at 9 a.m.; coffee and snacks afterwards.

Show and Tell:
Robert was walking into the Conservatory building this morning when he heard a
“thwack.” A bird had flown into the glass and died.

Rose=breasted Grosbeak,killed by flying into a glass window.

It was a lovely
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, on its way north. These are usually only seen at our
feeders for a week or two during spring migration.

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Ramble Report April 11 2019

Today’s Ramble was led by Linda Chafin.

All the photos in this post, unless otherwise credited,
were taken by Hugh and Carol Nourse, former leaders of the Nature Ramblers.

Today’s post was written by Linda Chafin.

Today’s Focus:
The Rock and Shoals Granite outcrop.

25 Ramblers met today.

Today’s reading:
No reading today.

Announcements: The Garden is participating in a “Plantapalooza” plant sale this weekend (Saturday). Click here for the details and a link to the species offered.

Today’s route:
Ramblers met today at the Botanical Garden and carpooled to the Rock &
Shoals Natural Area off Barnett Shoals Road. Mid-April is peak blooming season
for the Piedmont granite outcrop specialties and endemics.

Piedmont granite outcrops are found from SE Virginia to
central Alabama, totaling about 12,000 acres, but 90% of them occur in the Georgia
Piedmont. There are approximately 5,000 granite outcrops in Georgia larger than
¼ acre. Unfortunately, only 11 of them are protected, including Rock and Shoals
(R&S), which is owned jointly by Athens-Clarke County and Georgia Department
of Natural Resources. Though small, R&S supports many of the
outcrop endemics and four rare species.

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