Week of September 15, 2024 – September 21, 2024
by Catherine McLaughlin, Environmental Educator
I was the child who had those glowing stars on their ceiling as a kid because I am a little afraid of the dark. However this fact did not stop me from exploring the night. During those warm rainy nights in early spring there wasn’t much anyone could do to stop me from going out to look for frogs. This past week I have been on my porch in the evening listening to the sounds of the night, wishing I had better sight to see the nocturnal creatures roaming around.
If you were able to, you may have attended a program with us recently we call Night at the Woods. This two hour program consists of using your senses to explore Baltimore Woods at a time most people can not. Participants travel down the trail calmly as dusk turns to night and the nocturnal animals that reside here come out. As our sense of sight diminishes from what we are used to we find ourselves relying on our other senses. Perhaps cupping your ears forward like a deer allows you to hear farther? Or a damp nose like our canine friends allows you to pick out smells? My favorite part of the hike is the moments of quiet, where we take a few minutes to stand as a group and listen to what reveals itself. The chorus of katydids calling, the rustles of a deer walking by, an owl calling in the distance. The longer we stand there quietly and become one with the woods, the more that can be heard and seen.
The other part of the Night at the Woods adventure involves looking with UltraViolet lights and at insect sheets. Many creatures are able to see UV colors on their own, unlike us, but with UV lights in hand we can see the strange and wonderful colors and patterns on the insect life and plants here. The sudden pops of neon blues, yellows, and reds often startle us at first and then leave people fascinated by the end of the night. I always hear someone say “I want to get one of these and see what else I can find”. Using some creative knotwork we go out before the program to leave lights and sheets up in the woods. These lights and sheets attract insects for us to take a closer look at. The moths alone are impressive sights, plus everything else? Can you imagine being a bird or a bat that has to try and catch these small insects for food? That is some impressive in flight maneuvers.
Even with myself being a little afraid of the dark, I know there is plenty to experience out there if I am willing to give it a shot. If you want to experience the nightlife in the woods with a guided hand, we have evening programs during the fall months for you to try out! If not – at least crack open a window and listen to what is just outside your home.