The rain stopped, the sun came out, and Marie and I had spare time so what better to do than go for a walk! We chose to walk the old railroad bed to the beaver meadow at the end of Worcester Rd

Don came in from splitting wood and said, "You like bugs, come out and see these!" So I did. They are Megarhyssa Wasps (non stinging). The females alight on a log and sense out where a horntail (or other) larvae is incubating inside. They then stick their long oviposter into the log and lay their eggs on or in the larvae (which eventually kills it). They were amazing and interesting to watch. They are my new favorite insect so even though these photos were not taken at Beaver Brook I'm sharing them with you. Note that in most shots the wasp in on the side of the log.

Tried to go for a Mother's Day paddle but it was much too windy so we settled for a hike at the Beaver Meadow at the end of Worcester Rd in Hollis

Found just the right time frame for a quick hike with friend Kathleen. The mushrooms were having a field day.

We took Whiting Trail down to Beaver Brook Trail towards Worcester Road then back via Eastman Meadow Trail. In addition to wild flowers, Kat was able to identify several bird calls and actually spotted a Scarlet Tanager for us - alas no picture of that!

Celeste led an AMC hike on the Eastman Meadow/Beaver Brook Trail loop than included a detour to the lookout on the Nichols Trail and a look at the vernal pools on Jason's Cutoff

Today's walk, my first this year, took us down the Ashcroft Trail, north on Eastman Meadow Trail to the bridge south of Spatterdock Pond and then up Beaver Brook Trail a short distance to Cow Lane and then a final walk on the Wildflower Loop and back to the parking lot at Maple Hill Farm. What a beautiful day and wonderful walk. Vicki has a talent for spending just the right amount of time talking at each stop - and there was lots to see today.

What a beautiful day! We got out on the trail before it began to cloud up and after a great breakfast.

Vicki, Debbie & I - sunny morning, a beautiful hike, starting at Worcester Rd, Beaver Brook Trail across the bridge and then back to Worcester Road via the Eastman Meadow Trail.

Another great group of women gathered at the Beaverbrook bunk houses for a winter overnight get together. Fun, Fun, Fun.

Incredibly I've been able to get in 3 hikes this week! It's been awhile since that happened. Having the time AND having the weather cooperate seems a gift!

Donald, Sue, and friend Paul joined me for a hike around the Wildlife Pond at Beaver Brook. A great fall day.

Layers came off as the temperature rose today. The prediction was for an 80 degree day. It was certainly sunny and warm and a slight breeze had us hiking through falling leaves all morning. Beautiful!!!

Debbie and Vicki and I wandered around Beaver Brook this morning. Started out on the Wildflower Loop, veered off onto Big Tree over to Brown Lane then monitored Vicki's trail loop of Love Lane, Howe Meadow and Kibby's Climb. A bit drizzly but gave us a chance to admire the Fall foliage in the fog.

Vicki, Debbie and I went out to see how the beavers were fairing. Seem to be active though the water level in the meadow is still very low.

Kathleen needed to check her trail and the day couldn't have been more perfect weather wise.

Thank goodness for trail monitoring, otherwise I would never have made the time to get out on this beautiful day.

Vicki and I went out in search of the orchids in bloom at Beaver Brook. A pretty successful hike

Something I've been wanting to do for awhile is to help do something to maintain the trails at Beaver Brook. And what a blast!

Vicki and I headed out to hike with a very, very flexible plan. Started out at Ponemah Bog, the since we were still feeling good went up to Burns Farm in Milford for phase 2, then one more stop over at Holland Farm to see if the Lady Slippers that seemed so prolific the last time we were there had bloomed yet.

Took a chance that the Showy Orchis was blooming and got lucky!

Debbie, Vicki, and I went out to walk both loops here. We were especially interested to see if Vickis prediction last fall that the Pine Flats Loop looked to be prime Lady Slipper habitat was correct. It was - there were tons a plants (none fully in bloom though). It will require another trip out there very soon.

A day that threatened rain but Vicki & I managed to get out to check on her trail - the Love Lane, Howe Meadow, Kibby's Connector, Kibby's Climb loop - then we went out to see if the Showy Orcis was blooming.

Kathleen, Vicki, Debbie, and I set out to do some trail monitoring of the Ashcroftl, Beaver Brook, and Eastman Meadow Trails.