A wetland may be one of several different kinds of ecosystems, depending on the presence of water, the type of vegetation and soil, and its proximity to the water table. There are several types of wetlands, including barrier beaches and rocky shores, salt marshes and estuaries, ponds and lakes, bogs and swamps, and rivers and […] Read more »
Continued: Wildlife Camera Observations
In a previous post on camera trapping, I mentioned that the unveiling of the camera images back at the office often elicits awe. What have been my greatest moments of oohing and aahing? River Otter! I’ll admit, I turned to Google to confirm what I was seeing, since I have never encountered a river otter […] Read more »
Wildlife Camera Observations
I unexpectedly and happily fell into the practice of wildlife camera trapping (and by camera trapping I mean capturing images of the animals, not trapping them). When I came to Barnstable Land Trust looking for a volunteer project and interested in ecology, Will Holden, BLT’s Land Stewardship Coordinator, told me about his idea to deploy a […] Read more »
The Ancient Horseshoe Crab
One of the most remarkable marine animals in our waters is the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), an ancient inhabitant of the sea. It survived the reign of the dinosaurs and continues to fascinate us today, 350 million years after it evolved. Found in tidal creeks, muddy shores, and the intertidal zone along the east coast, […] Read more »
2019 Walks, Talks and Other Special Events
Join us for our 2019 walks and talks programs! Pre-registration is required. Dates and times are weather dependent and may be subject to change. To register, contact admin@BLT.org or call the office at 508-771-2585. Walks are gauged for all ages and abilities and are free to BLT members unless otherwise noted. Follow this link to […] Read more »
Come Dine with Us!
Join us for an evening of delicious food among friends. Read more »
The Seaweeds of Barnstable
The shorelines of Barnstable are replete with a wide variety of marine algae, commonly referred to as the seaweeds. Though these organisms resemble plants, they lack the transporting tissues xylem and phloem found in true plants. Algae do make their own food through photosynthesis, but they do not have true leaves, stems, roots, flowers, […] Read more »
Honoring Red Bansfield
Beneath a sea of umbrellas in the pouring rain, friends and family members gathered outside at BLT’s East Bay Road property in Osterville to honor Redmond “Red” Bansfield, BLT’s longtime Land Manager, who passed away in November 2017. In recognition of Red’s many years of service, BLT has renamed the property Bansfield Meadow, unveiling a […] Read more »
Looking for the Fungi – Part 2
By Gil Newton …Continued from last week. The boletes (Boletus spp.) are a common group of mushrooms that are identified by examining the caps which can range from one to several inches across. Instead of gills, the underside of the cap is flattened and the spores are produced in small pores. Color varies depending on […] Read more »
Looking for the Fungi – Part 1
By Gil Newton The cool, wet months in the fall may be unpleasant to some, but there are benefits to the backyard botanist. Such weather conditions, if coupled with fallen leaves, are ideal for a special group of organisms called the fungi. The fungi are in their own kingdom and are not considered plants, […] Read more »