Aquia Stone in America

A couple of months ago, I mentioned another quarry, the George Washington Stone Corporation, which quarried Aquia Stone in the 1920s and 1930s.  Records show that stone from this Stafford quarry was shipped to aid in the completion of over 60 structures throughout America.  For example, it can be found in Harkness Hall at Yale University in Connecticut.

Its stone went to make the Pilgrim Steps at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.  It was even shipped as far west as Omaha, Nebraska, to help build the Joslyn Art Museum.

Today you can see it locally in the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center at the corner of Princess Anne and William Street.  First built as Planters National Bank, Aquia Stone can be found in its decorative trim, quoins, and window surrounds.         Jane C.

Autumn in the woods; virgin's bower, beechdrops,strawberry bush, mile-a-minute vine, Japanese stilt grass, Chinese lepedeza, Lady's thumb

It is Autumn in the woods!  Government Island continues to charm us with its ever-changing flora.  The naturalist guided nature walk on Saturday, September 22 was another success.  The area along Austin Creek was somewhat devoid of animal activity, but there was plenty of non-native invasive species to view and discuss.  Government Island has a long history of human activity, therefor it is designated as a disturbed site.  Years of human interaction has introduced many types of non-native species.  These plants take over and crowd the native plants, much to their detriment.  Mile-a-minute vine is really creating a problem along the creek.

 Japanese stilt grass is competing heavily with Lady's thumb along the pathways.  Many feel that Lady's thumb is also an invasive species, but I feel it looks a lot better than the stilt grass.  The pink flower is the lady's thumb.  Unfortunately, the lepedeza has gone to seed guaranteeing plenty of new plants next spring.  Yuck!


 

But all was not disagreeable on the walk.  We were treated to a lovely show of  virgin's bower entering its seeding transition.  It is much showier at this stage, don't you think?




A real treat was finding a strawberry bush that was also going to seed!  I have never observed this plant at this stage and was initially confused as to what it was.  Most of the strawberry bushes I have seen were scratty little things, barely hanging on to existence.  Seeing this plant in all its red glory was a treat.

Another treat was finding a patch of beechdrops on the island.  This plant is a parasitic plant that grows under beech trees.  Looks like some kind if leafless sucker.

As we were crossing the bridge over the marsh, a wonderful bird siting.  A great white egret.  Not a common site at Government Island, but not one I haven't seen before.

The thistles are turning to seed.  I have noticed that there are fewer goldfinch in the field this year.  Last year they were all over the thistle collecting seed for their nestlings.  But a few butterflies still linger.

There will not be a walk in October, but we hope to see you in November on 17th.  Most likely at 8 AM.  Watch this site for the time announcement.  Or check in the Free-Lance Star Weekender section the Thursday before, Novemebr15. 
Great seeing you here!
Maria C. , Virginia Master Naturalist.

August nature walk, emerald ash borer, tiger swallowtail butterflies, bull thistle, duck potato, spicebush, shelf fungi

Saturday, August 18, turned out to be a perfect day for the monthly nature walk at Government Island.  Naturalists Kristen and Maria took a group for a trip around the Island in near perfect summer weather.  First we stopped at an ash tree to learn about the emerald ash borer and view one of the "purple kite" monitoring stations that has been placed in an ash tree at Government Island.  These unwelcome insects have been found in Stafford and pose an environmental hazard to the ash trees in our county.  If you have ash trees on your property, you need to read about the emerald ash borer and report any infestation to the extension office at the Rowser Building.  They will direct your info to the correct people. 

Thistle is coming into bloom in the fields near the parking lot at this time of year.  It is a favorite of black swallowtail and tiger striped swallowtails.  At one point today I counted over 21 butterflies on this one plant.  As summer progresses, watch for the goldfinches coming to the thistle plant for fibers to line their nests and thistle seed to feed the chicks.  I have already noticed an increase of goldfinch activity in the area.  Later in the winter this area is a favorite place for a variety of species of sparrows.

Along the path that follows Austin Run look for the spice bushes, Lindera benzoin, displaying their bright red berries.  This plant is a member of the same family as the Sassafras family.  But don't wait long, or else the birds will eat the fruit.

As you get out towards the marsh, peak over the boardwalk railing, on the right,and look for the bloom of the duck potato plant, Sagittaria latifolia,  I have been waiting for this one to come into bloom, as I had never seen it before.  It was a real treat to see some beautiful specimens in bloom today.  They weren't there five days ago, and I am not sure how long they will be in bloom.  One more reason to frequently visit Government Island.

Today we noticed quite a few mushrooms sprouting up along the path.  As the forest gets moister, this trend should increase.  Remember...even the experts aren't always sure what is edible and what isn't.  Be safe and DO NOT EAT WILD MUSHROOMS.  We did spot a very pretty example of a shelf fungi.  This beauty is new to me and I have no idea which of the thousands of kinds of fungi it could be.  Most shelf fungi are not poisonous, they just aren't palatable.  Usually they are quit chewy, with some being almost wood-like.

Our next walk should be September 15.  We will watch the park and see what is happening, and pick the time of day depending on the weather patterns, either a morning or afternoon walk.  Hope to see you.

Maria C., Central Rappahannock Chapter, Virginia Master Naturalists

Drought continues, praying mantid, thistle, Eastern tiger swallowtail

This week has seen no rain, again, at Government Island.  The vernal pool is not even mud anymore.  Just plain dry.  No wonder a true vernal pool does not have a viable fish population.  I am posting a photo of the pond near the parking lot.  The photo has changed a lot from last week's observation.  A few more dry days and there will no water connecting the upper portion of the pond to the lower portion.

However, even with the dry weather, there is always lots to see at Government Island.  On the milkweed in the field by the parking lot I found a lovely praying mantid.  Using my observation skills as I scanned the field I noticed something that just didn't profile correctly.  When you go out to enjoy nature, look for things that don't fit into what you should be observing.  Most likely it will be some interesting find.  The insect made the shape of the plant tops not curve correctly, and "tada!"  There was a wonderful sighting of a praying mantid.

I was excited to observe the first of this summer's thistles in bloom.  Apart from great photo opportunities when the Eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies land on them, thistle reminds me that goldfinch breeding time is approaching.  Goldfinches line their nests with the fibers of the thistle seed head.  Then they feed their young with the fresh thistle seed.  Watch for the birds getting busy as August leads into September and the goldfinches get really busy there in the fields by the parking lot. 

Hope to see some of you at the next nature walk on Saturday, August 18, at 4:00.  Meet in the parking lot.

Maria C., Naturalist, Central Rappahannock Chapter, Virginia Master Naturalists

It's Almost Time to Go Back to School

Now I know this is usually the last thing that you child would want to hear, but it is almost time to go back to school. However, this does not mean that there is no longer any time for fun. By taking a trip to visit Government Island, your child can have fun, and perhaps not even realizing that they are learning.

Government Island has a wealth of various animals and plants, making it an excellent place to demonstrate how the ecological cycle works, what a habitat is, and plant and animal life cycles. And that's only to name just a few topics that are often covered on in both the classroom material and the SOLs. The island is also a wonderful place to connect to topics in history, such as the birth of the nation, slavery, changes in technology over time, and Virginia history.

I'm hoping that eventually we will have various lesson plans and materials in subjects such as science and history for at least the K-5 levels, which we will make available on the blog so that parents and teachers can use it.

Come and visit Government Island before the school year begins (don't worry it will still be open after that) and help your child to learn and explore...without ever having to mention that you're preparing them for their classes!

If you want, come join Maria C. on Saturday, August 18 at 4:00 for a free guided nature hike.