Winter Wander at Tin Mountain Conservation Center, Albany NH

My journey with Tin Mountain Conservation Center began in 2009 when I applied for a naturalist position. Although I didn't secure the job, I was fortunate to receive a guided tour of the building and grounds from an enthusiastic staff member. As a photographer, I must admit that my filing system for photos was not ideal, which makes it difficult to recall if I explored the area more extensively before my first hike with Heather McKendry in 2014. Heather, though not the guide during my initial visit, embodies the same enthusiasm and passion for nature, willing to “slow walk” or “wander” through the property with anyone interested.

The Tin Mountain Conservation Center in Albany exemplifies my idea of the ideal science and environmental education center. Its architecture is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, featuring cabinet handles crafted from local tree species, a great room fireplace built from stone quarried on-site, solar panels, and an electric vehicle charging station. These sustainable features highlight the center's commitment to environmental stewardship and serve as an inspiring model for eco-friendly design.

I love to walk the trail around the pond. Anyone who is at all familiar with me knows I love boardwalks, and the creatures you can find here attest to the health of the environment. I have frequently collected dragonfly photos on the trail and was very excited to tie in with the New Hampshire Butterfly Monitoring Network at Tin Mountain.

Although I have been on other winter programs here, I was very excited to see that Heather was leading a "Winter Wander” last Saturday. The only other participant, Tio, a neighbor to the Albany property, joined us while trying out his new snowshoes. 

Despite its proximity to Route 16, the property remains a tranquil and peaceful retreat. 

Heather guided us through familiar spots, and showcased the new nature’s playground and bird blind, and yes, I also took the opportunity to descend from the fort on the slide.

Thanks Tin Mountain for sharing your property and your Heather once again.

Did you find your way here after a hike where Kate was the volunteer photographer? Perhaps you've enjoyed her images or seen her byline on one of many environmental websites. Kate is a naturalist and largely self-taught photographer with a passion for capturing the beauty and urgency of the natural world. Having photographed hundreds of environmental events for nonprofit organizations—entirely self-funded—she is now asking for your help to upgrade her equipment. Your support will allow her to continue providing high-quality, impactful images that support conservation efforts. Ways you can help:

• Share this campaign with friends, family, and nature lovers at GoFundMe. https://gofund.me/4cff87b7e

• Follow Kate on social media to see the journey unfold at https://hodgepodgeimages.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-hodgepodge-images-project.html

• Connect Kate with organizations that might benefit from my photography. You can check out the HodgePodgeImage Portfolio website at https://HodgePodgeImages.com

Thanks!

Highland Farm Preserve Winter Ferns with the York Land Trust

On Saturday December 13, 2025 I went on a Winter Fern Hike with Anna DiChiara  of the York Land Trust at the Highland Farm Preserve on Route 91 in York. I have past this property many times taking the short cut back toward South Berwick from York but never made time to stop.

The group was a great size and all seemed pretty well prepared. It was cold but not as cold as it had been and the trail, though packed down, wasn't particularly icy. 

Anna, our naturalist, told me in an email later that a couple of years ago she had some medical issues that caused her to rethink her life purpose. She decided to pursue the Maine Master Naturalist program and, although this was her first hike, she carried herself with calm confidence, sharing insights with ease and demonstrating a deep understanding of nature. Her knowledge and poise made the experience unforgettable for everyone involved.

If you've spent any time with a fern identification key, you'll see that the first step is to decide how many times the leaf is divided or "cut"

Highland Farm itself occupies 91 acres, but it abuts Kittery Water District Land, shares a small boundary with Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, and is across the street from the Smelt Brook Preserve. Some trails are groomed for cross country skiing. I was surprised by the different ecosystems found here

The first fern we found was Christmas Fern, a "once-cut" leaf closely related to the Sword Fern we taught the kids about in the Redwood Forest of California. It's easy to see the leathery texture that helps it survive the freeze thaw cycles of winter. Anna told us about how, as ice crystals usually destroy plant cells, some of the winter ferns will force the water down into the roots so that there's nothing in the leaves left to freeze. Some also use sugars to lower the freezing point to a level the cell can survive.

Evergreen Wood Fern. Thrice-cut

We didn't find Sensitive Fern Leaves (except for those Anna brought for teaching), but passed through an area with many of the separate fertile fronds with bead-like sori (reproductive organs)

We then met the Intermediate Wood Fern, one of the only wood ferns that is only twice-cut.

The Sori of Intermediate Wood Ferns are on the underside of the leaves.

What fern is not a fern? Sweet Fern. This aromatic plant is related to bay. It is very hardy, growing along the power lines and dirt roads near my house. One of my missionary friends made a pillow of it to bring to Brazil for when she just needed to think of home.

At the back of the property are bluffs. I believe you could see the tops of some of the factories in Kittery from here.

Polypody is a small evergreen fern that likes to take advantage of empty cracks in the rock.

Polypody also has sori on the underside

Another not-a-fern but of great interest to me. I don't think I've ever seen Pixiecups in Lichen on a tree. And this is different that the Pixiecups often associated with British Soldier Lichen

While I was exploring on my own after everyone else had left, I found a couple of these tiny critter holes (finger for reference). I don't know that I have ever seen ice crystals along the edges of these tunnels like I see in the air hole at the top of a beaver lodge. 

Some more teeny tinies I shot with my $35 lens

I think this is winter goldenrod. So intricate!

If there isn't a photo I wasn't there?

Did you find your way here after a hike where Kate was the volunteer photographer? Perhaps you've enjoyed her images or seen her byline on one of many environmental websites. Kate is a naturalist and largely self-taught photographer with a passion for capturing the beauty and urgency of the natural world. Having photographed hundreds of environmental events for nonprofit organizations—entirely self-funded—she is now asking for your help to upgrade her equipment. Your support will allow her to continue providing high-quality, impactful images that support conservation efforts. Ways you can help:

• Share this campaign with friends, family, and nature lovers at GoFundMe. https://gofund.me/4cff87b7e

• Follow Kate on social media to see the journey unfold at https://hodgepodgeimages.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-hodgepodge-images-project.html

• Connect Kate with organizations that might benefit from my photography. You can check out the HodgePodgeImage Portfolio website at https://HodgePodgeImages.com

Thanks!