This site is a portal to all plants and animals photographed within Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods Nature Reserve.
Featured Species
Did You Know?
Rough-Leaved Dogwood leaves turn a wine red in the fall. They are found in wet or dry woods, flowering in May and June. In Fontenelle Forest, they are common on floodplain trails. At Neale Woods, they are common along the edges of prairies.
This native shrub grows up to 20 feet tall. The lance-shaped leaves, up to 5 inches long and rough to the touch, are opposite on reddish-brown, new-growth twigs.
READ MORE
When the Cope’s Gray Tree Frog first transforms from a tadpole, it’s tiny—less than 1 inch long—with green and gray coloring. As it matures, its thighs turn golden, creating a “flash pattern” that startles predators.
These frogs are mostly seen on the flood plains near water and in moist ravines, sitting on large leaves from May through September. These frogs hibernate during winter, often under dead logs, and they may live up to 7 years.
READ MORE
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a striking bird known for its vibrant colors. Adult males feature a bold rose patch on their chest, black heads, and red underwing flashes in flight. Females have a more subdued appearance with dark brown heads, streaked white underparts, and yellow-tinted underwings.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a common breeder arriving as soon as mid-April and departing as late as November.
READ MORE
The Painted Lady butterfly is a world traveler! These vibrant orange and black butterflies are known for its impressive long-distance migrations, they can fly over 7,500 miles in a single round trip, making it one of the longest migrations of any butterfly species.
This butterfly is a southern emigrant and in some years is very common. It can be found in summer through fall nectaring on a wide variety of flowers. Painted Lady Butterflies were exceptionally abundant in late summer and fall until frost.
READ MORE
5 Tips for Capturing Your Fontenelle Forest Experience
- Embrace your inner explorer. Go on a nature scavenger hunt!
- Use free apps to identify the plants and animals you encounter.
- Take the path less traveled.
- Did you discover something cool on your hike? Take a picture instead of taking it with you!
- Not ready for a solo adventure? Sign up for a program or guided hike!
Read the Full Blog
