Saturday, July 19, 2014

You’re invited to join Joyce Hartmann, renowned local artist, in a free “Plein air” watercolor painting workshop at South Fork Nature Center on Saturday, July 19, 2014. “Plein air” is a French term for “Painting Outside” and Joyce is good at it. She has won many prizes for her work including her “Red Bluff” watercolor at Steelville, MO in June of this year. Joyce has many pieces displayed in several locations including the Senior Center and hospital in Clinton, Arkansas, the Artisans Gallery in Fairfield Bay, Our Towne Conference Center Gallery, Indian Hills Country Club, Greers Ferry Florist and also in her Clinton Studio by appointment. Her paintings are also pictured on her website at www.joycehartmann.com or on Facebook.

Joyce is the President of the North Central Arkansas Artist League and coordinator for the art exhibits at Ozark Health Medical Center. She has studied art at Washington University in St. Louis, and taught art at various schools, colleges and community organizations. She would love to share some basic watercolor painting techniques so that others can enjoy it too!

When: Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 9:00a.m.

Where: South Fork Nature Center, Choctaw, Arkansas – 40 miles North of Conway on Greers Ferry Lake (Click here for driving directions)

What to Bring: Participants should bring their own watercolor supplies, or registrants can purchase supplies for cost at the Nature Center.

Who should attend: interested adults, junior high or high school youths.

To register: Call (501) 745-6615 to register; enrollment is limited.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

8am at the Nature Center

Visiting photography enthusiast Victor Mirontschuk will lead a free photography workshop at South Fork Nature Center, located in Choctaw on Greers Ferry Lake in Arkansas, starting at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2014. Victor is an architect in Manhattan, NY. Many of his architectural photos have been published in architect and construction magazines. His photographs have recently been published online by “Your Shot” National Geographic and USA TODAY “Your Take.”

Victor has attended several National Geographic Photography Workshops at locations including Manhattan, New York, the South of France and most recently by invitation, a night photography workshop held in Brooklyn, New York. Victor is an avid traveler and visits South Fork Nature Center annually to hike the trails and capture the beauty of the abundant flora and fauna on site. He will lead a workshop focusing on South Forks riparian habitats and landscapes. The morning will start with an assessment of participants’ knowledge of photography and their equipment. Victor will touch on the areas of direct photography, macro photography, reflective photography and lighting under the canopy.

Registration

Please call (501) 626-9914 to register for the class. Attendance is by registration only and registration for this workshop will be limited. Participants should bring their own digital camera (not a phone camera), and be prepared to hike to different locations on South Fork’s trails. This workshop is for adults and senior high school students.

The week of June 16-22 is National Pollinators Week! It’s a reminder to appreciate the small organisms that play such a huge role in our environment. Click here to read more about some key players & their contributions, here at the Pollinator Partnership website.

View this beautiful poster from the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). It depicts the beautiful and diverse orchids, many of which are threatened or endangered, and the pollinators they attract.
(Click for full-size view)

The 3rd Annual Butterfly Release will be held at the South Fork Nature Center on Saturday, June 21 2014. Don’t miss this wonderful experience!

Butterfly Release and Trail Walk

9am, June 21 at South Fork Nature Center

John and Ruth Andre return this year to lead a double header butterfly/trail walk adventure on June 21 at the South Fork Nature Center near Choctaw beginning at 9 am.

John Andre is retired from the US Forest Service and an expert in proscribed burns, trees and plants, birds and more. Butterfly enthusiast Ruth Andre is trained in environmental education and a retired teacher.

John looks at the forest and reveals its composition and history, from the Indians burning techniques to the stumps of “witness trees” which were recorded in early surveys and help tell the composition of old forests. John describes unique features of each mini ecosystem as the walk progresses.

Ruth brings eggs, larvae, pupae, adult butterflies and host plants, for examination. Dozens of specimens munch on their host plants (pipe vines and pawpaw, etc) while the butterflies relax in cooled little envelopes till warmed up for release on the hands of delighted participants.

Don’t miss this dynamic and fascinating duo! Docents Roberta and Steve Messenger will assist. Click here for directions or call 745-4589 for more information.

by Bob Hartmann, docent

Now, during the first few weeks of March this year, early blooming trees and birds provide interesting opportunities to observe their intricate relationships. Watch tree tops of Winged Elm and Red Maple to see theirconsistent stages of seasonal growth and bird use.

These, and other early bloomers, may attract several winter resident bird species by providing a unique food supply at a critical time of nutrient need. Leaf buds and blossoms of the Winged Elm may be seen being consumed in concert by Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse, Kinglets, Pine Warblers, Cedar
Waxwings and others, beginning with first bud-swell.

With blossoms opening, pollen enters the relationship. Should air movements be limited, pollen exchange within tree tops and between different trees happens, assisted by both insects and birds.