Encouraging Wellness through Art and Mindfulness
Nature walks in Centre County, PA
Blue Jay
Bernel Park
The sky was overcast and filled with a light, fluffy snow. At first I thought I heard a hawk making a loud "keekaw". Looking towards the sound, I was surprised to see a majestic blue jay in flight.
Interesting Discovery: Blue Jays aren’t actually blue. In fact, the pigment in their feathers is brown. Scattering light in the structural parts of the feathers causes us to see th
Lucy Lederer Statue
Lederer Park
While exploring the Park's numerous nooks and crannies, we stumbled upon a statue of Lucy Lederer. Someone had lovingly dressed her in a knitted scarf and hat. In my painting I chose to add some beautiful Chickadees surrounding her.
Interesting Discovery:
Lucy was a talented artist, teacher and philanthropist who donated nearly 22 acres of land to create Lederer Par
Crocus
Walnut Spring Park
In early march, peering through the leaf litter, I spied a lone crocus introducing itself to the world. A clear sign of hope and new beginnings.
Interesting Discovery:
The stigma from crocus flowers produce saffron. It's the most expensive spice to harvest. The crocus was brought over by immigrants from Europe. It is a non-invasive plant.
Mourning Doves
Fairbrook Park
Waiting for friends to arrive at Fairbrook Park, I could hear the distant coo of mourning doves. I discovered the pair spending time together in an open field surrounded by early blooming violets.
Interesting Discovery:
Doves are one of the few species of birds that drink by sucking up their water instead of taking a bill full of water and letting it trickle down their
Mallard Duck and her Ducklings
Spring Creek
On a bright sunny day in May we spotted a mallard duck and her ducklings.
Interesting Discovery:
Mallards have yellow or orange bills and legs to show off for the opposite sex. The bright colors suggest that a duck has been eating right and has a strong immune system, making them attractive mates.
Ladybugs and Mushrooms
Patton Woods
In late June, after much rainfall a magical mushroom garden had sprouted near the walking path. Ladybugs and buttercups enhanced the remarkable landscape with bright red and yellow layers of color.
Interesting Discovery: Half of America's mushrooms are grown in one tiny corner of southeastern Pennsylvania, near the town of Kennett Square.
Show More
Pennsylvania Endangered Wildlife
The Bog Turtle is Pennsylvania's smallest turtle, growing only 3 to 4.5 inches in length. Its most distinguishing feature is the large orange blotches on each side of the head. This turtle is federally listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Bog turtles depend upon an open, sunny, spring fed wetlands with scattered dry areas, and can be an indicator of water quality and wetland func
The historically hardy Pumpkin Ash is native to Pennsylvania and can grow to 80 feet and live more than 100 years. Ash trees are a major part of eastern forests and urban streets, providing yellow and purplish leaves to the bounty of fall colors. Their timber is used for making furniture and sports equipment like baseball bats and hockey sticks. This once considered hearty tree became threatened d
Blooming when about about 6 inches tall, the dwarf iris is the smallest native iris in Pennsylvania. Violet in color, this iris is very fragrant and grows primarily like ground cover. In flower during the spring, the dwarf iris can be found in dry, open pine forests throughout Pennsylvania (United States Forest Service, 2019).
How to Help:
Planting this native plant in your yard or garden is one wa
The Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) is a handsome black butterfly checked with orange and white spots. Its common name honors the American colonist George Calvert, who was the first Lord of Baltimore and whose family crest bears the colors of black and gold. Forested and open wetlands and any moist fallow meadow can provide essential breeding and nectaring habitat for the species. Deer
The Short-Eared Owl received its name from its diminutive "ear" tufts. It is about the size of a crow, 13 to 17 inches high, and has a 38- to 44-inch wingspan. Atypical for owls, shorted-eared owls nest on the ground, sometimes in colonial groups. It remains on the state endangered species list given its small breeding population and limited distribution. In Pennsylvania, suitable nesting habitat
Yellow Lady's Slipper produces a large flower with a pale to dark yellow (and very rarely white) pouch-like labellum, which sometimes has reddish spots on the interior. Once established, lady slipper plants will propagate on their own and live for many years if left undisturbed. Because a picked lady slipper will not rejuvenate itself, and the plant has a less than 5% transplant success rate, they
Show More