By: Haley Lesmerises, Interpretive Ranger at Franconia Notch State Park “Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking successive autumns.” — George Eliot Autumn is here! The leaves are losing their chlorophyll, animals are getting fat for winter, and children are […]
wildlife
Encounters of the Wild Kind
By: Claire Adams, Interpretive Ranger at Greenfield & Monadnock State Parks During my adventures as the Interpretive Ranger at Greenfield State Park, I have spent a lot of time outdoors. And due to that constant exposure to the same patch of nature, I have had the privilege of catching glimpses of the variety of wildlife […]
Discover the Power of Interpretation
By: Rachel Shoemaker, Interpretive Ranger for Northern Region Parks “What IS that!?” My friend stopped so abruptly that I nearly bumped into her. “What is what?” I asked, looking around frantically, trying to see what she was seeing. I looked down at the trail where she was pointing and gazed upon a creature that would […]
Roving the Southern NH Parks
By: Kim Snyder, Interpretive Ranger (Southern Region Parks) As the Discover Power of Parks Southern Rover, I have the pleasure of traversing the width of Southern New Hampshire weekly, seeing all kinds of environments and learning all about this diverse state. From the Seacoast to the Vermont boarder, New Hampshire abounds with wildlife and awe-inspiring […]
Birding Throughout the Notch
Franconia Notch State Park is home to a wide variety of hawks, owls, and other birds. Walking along Profile Lake you will usually notice a Great Blue Heron hanging out with the fly-fishers waiting for the opportune moment to steal a fish. While hiking on Franconia Ridge you might be able to hear some Peregrine […]
The Tracks of New Hampshire: Find Tracks or Try!
A huge part of being an Interpretive Ranger is putting on programs for park visitors. One of my programs is about the ways wildlife moves and their tracks. If you really look around yourself while you hike you’ll notice the signs of wildlife all around you. You can see vegetation pushed down, scat, and track […]
Nightlife of the Notch
After my night programs, it is usually dark. As I walk home to our humble abode (the hiker cabin), I can’t help but notice the starry sky on a clear night. The constellations are so visible, it is unreal. Franconia Notch is just over 1,000ft above sea level. You don’t even have to climb a […]
Wildlife Caught on Camera
The first thing I noticed about Pawtuckaway State Park was its lush landscape and abundant wildlife. Everywhere I turned, I noticed new fauna and interesting flora. One of the coolest parts about being an Interpretive Ranger is that park visitors love to come up and tell me about their wildlife encounters! I wanted to make this […]
Soundscapes of Bear Brook
More recently in my time here at Bear Brook, I’ve found myself listening intently to all of the sounds that can be heard in the different environments around the park. I’ve recently had some hearing troubles and the whole experience has given me a new appreciation for the different instruments in Bear Brook’s symphony. So […]
Hiking Near Umbagog
First here is a video for those who either have never seen or are simply missing Lake Umbagog: I have spoken of many of the reasons why people come back to Umbagog year after year (some going on 20 years). Though the lake is incredible some people need more, some people need to hike. There […]