Pioneer Ridge's Annual Halloween Night Hike October 2012

Pioneer Ridge, part of the Wapello County Conservation Commission, hosted its annual Halloween Night Hike this week-end. 

Guests were treated to eight stations featuring portrayals of animals that fit this year’s theme “Don’t Wake The Bear!” or hibernation. 

When guests finished the tour they found sweet treats, hot chocolate, balloon animals and swords, face painting, and other activities in the Nature Center.

Let’s go on the hike. . .

The bears welcomed guests to the hike at station one.

A beautiful butterfly came next that is indigenous to Iowa and actually hibernates through the winter.

Frogs can actually freeze and thaw out within 10 hours.  This frog hibernates near water in the mud, in the brush, or under rocks.

The boy and husband portrayed Ornate Box Turtles.

Salamanders were next on the trail and told us about how their body parts can regenerate and the reason salamanders are know as fire lizards.

The skunks told us that they “spray” only when mortally threatened and empty their scent sacks when they wake up throughout the winter.

The groundhogs told their tale with a song.

Chipmunks are typically loners but were BFF’s for the night hike.

There were guests of all ages that enjoyed the hike!  To read more about previous years’ hikes click here and here.

Pioneer Ridge's Annual Halloween Night Hike October 2011--Magnificent Migrators

Want to have some fun, learn about animals, and enjoy a fall evening?  That’s exactly what many guests experienced at Pioneer Ridge’s Annual Halloween Night Hike.   Our county’s Conservation Commission teamed up with a crew of volunteers to offer two evenings of "edutainment" about animals that migrate, as the theme for this year’s hike was Magnificent Migrators.

Guests began at the Nature Center at Pioneer Ridge and were formed into groups of 15-25.  Groups left with the Natural Center every 10 minutes with a guide to make their way around the 1.5 mile paved path to visit the various stations where migrating animals were being portrayed.

First up were the pelicans—a mama and “teenage” pelican.

The path continued to the hummingbirds—a mama and child hummingbird were being portrayed.

The dragonflies were up next.

Silver haired bats were next on the trail and were the only migrating mammal in the bunch.

The endangered Sooty Shearwater birds were next to share information with guests.

A Monarch Butterfly shared its needed migrating conditions with guests.

A family of Canadian Geese greeted guests at the next to last stop on the trail.

Lastly, a pair of salmon informed guests in between their bickering.

When guests completed the “hike” portion of the evening, there was even more fun. . . and goodies, waiting for them in the lower level of the Nature Center. 

Volunteers provided cookies and other sweet treats along with coffee and hot chocolate. 

Balloon figures were available for the kiddos.

Cotton Candy was a hit.

And face painting was available.  All done by volunteers!

Guests are welcome to done their Halloween gear when joining in the hike.  Just dress for the weather!  It can be chilly to down right cold during the evening.  This year, we had beautifully weather. .  . windy and a bit chilly on Friday night and just a bit brisk on Saturday night.  Mother Nature even graced us with an almost full moon and clear skies for star gazing.

This creative, safe, educational endeavor is a favorite fall experience for guests and volunteers alike.  This marks the 9^th year of our family’s participation in the Halloween Night Hike and the 2^nd year of the husband and the boy portraying animals.  (Click here to read about last year’s Hike.)

Mark your calendars for next year.  We’ll see you there!