Furry Groundhog Friend
by Miranda Legg We found that a groundhog made his burrow in the backyard of Mahan Manor. My desk is at the entrance of the manor, where I open the…
American Passionflower
by Jacob Crider Found throughout the state of Kentucky, in fields, farms, forest edges, and backyards, is the stunning American Passionflower (Passiflora americana)! This summer and autumnal flower, commonly referred…
Fireflies: Nature’s Night Lights
by Christy Kohlhaas Many of us have childhood memories of watching fireflies in the backyard, carefully catching them between our cupped hands, and releasing them back into the night sky.…
Red-eared Silders (Trachemys scripta)
by Jacob Crider As summer weather beats down on the Bluegrass State, our turtle species nesting season, which begins here in late spring. We have had quite a few nest…
Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura)
by Jacob Crider Birds are known for their extraordinary ability to quickly build nests to raise their young. Using materials from delicately picked spider webs, paper thin grass fibers, and…
Royal Catchfly (Silene regia)
Happy Independence Day! Plenty of colorful fireworks will be ignited on this day of celebration, but we have the meadows at CMNP with flowers that remind us of fireworks. Royal…
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: David SedlaK
David has volunteered at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve since 2018 and quickly made himself an indispensable part of our team. In fact, he was awarded our 2023 Volunteer of the…
Goldenseal
by Jacob Crider Within the shaded and dense woodlands of the Outer Bluegrass grows the striking Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). Widespread throughout the Eastern U.S, this member of the Buttercup family…
American Elderberry
by Jacob Crider Late May through Mid-June marks the seasons for Elderberry blooms! American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a deciduous shrub that grows in a wide variety of habitats in…
Ringneck Snakes
by Jacob Crider Have you ever seen a Ringneck Snake? Northern Ringneck Snakes (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii) are a small species of colubrid snake native to the Eastern United States. Ringneck…