Stroud Preserve was bequeathed to Natural Lands in 1992 by Dr Morris Stroud, with the stipulation that it always be available as a study site for the Stroud Water Research Center.
Today we tackled the 4.1 mile red loop trail.
Today we tackled the 4.1 mile red loop trail.
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| Well! The parking lot was overflowing, but the preserve is so large that social distancing was not a problem |
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| The East Branch Brandywine Creek, wide, but shallow |
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| Field stone bridge over the creek |
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| Giant hay bales dotted the landscape here and there; but first we would climb the hill along the snaky path to the right |
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| We made it to the first scenic overlook! |
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| Next we were in a grove of Picea abies/ Norway Spruce |
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| The bark of a Norway Spruce tree |
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| A path to/from a horse farm, but we must stay out until January 24, 2021 (after hunting season?) |
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| More acreage for cutting hay (KSS) |
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| A couple horses and their stable (KSS) |
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| This tree has more horizontal branches (KSS) |
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| Here the acreage was used to grow corn |
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| Apparently self-seeded Rumex sp/Sorrel |
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| Bright red leaves of a Viburnum sp perhaps |
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| Nesting box trail marker |
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| Evidence of sharing the trail with horses |
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| See the prints of horseshoes? |
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| Solanum carolinense/Horse Nettle fruit (poisonous!) |
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| Scenic overlook at the grasslands; there is a serpentine barrens at Stroud Preserve, but it is not well-marked |
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| Neighboring Deborah's Rock Farm with 1815 farmhouse (with many additions!) and a field stone barn |
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| Is that a springhouse down by the pond? (KSS) |
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| A kestrel or screech-owl nesting box sits above an electric fence |
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| Looking back up at the last scenic overlook |
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| Kent views the wetlands |
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| Afforestation (planting trees where there were no trees before) is taking place in the former man-made pond (KSS) |
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| The homestead in the center of Stroud Preserve remains private; the original farmhouse of the former Georgia Farm was built in 1740 (with additions c 1835 and 1890) using green serpentine stone |
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| The Georgia Farm barn with an addition looks as if every horse has a covered patio! |
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| Probably a Liquidambar styraciflua/Sweetgum with a multitude of seed pods (KSS) |
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