Mariton: Ever Wonder?

by Tim Burris, Preserve Manager.  Photos by Carole Mebus.

Poison Ivy berries

Did you ever wonder about Poison Ivy and why it exists?  If you ever watch a flock of birds on a winter day methodically eating the berries from Poison Ivy, you’ll suddenly understand.  It provides an important source of energy to birds, squirrels, and other wildlife when food can be in short supply.  It also reminds people to stay on trails so we can minimize the disturbance to the wildlife we protect.

Examining Aspen Leaves.

How about Aspen leaves and why they quake and tremble?  If you look closely at an leaf and its petiole (as we did on a recent Tuesday Nature Walk) you will soon discover the secret.

I like the magic of Nature, and I don’t always need to know why.  And then sometimes finding out the why gives me even a deeper appreciation for the beauty that is all around us.