Sterling Nature Center announces July events

STERLING - Sterling Nature Center announces July events.

• Cayuga Naturally 2009 Photo Contest

Capture photos of favorite places for hiking, canoeing, fishing, hunting and other outdoor activity, as well as of streams, lakes, trees, wildflowers, birds, animals and other aspects of nature. All photos must be taken within Cayuga County and be of nature related subjects. For official entry form, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to Sterling Nature Center at P.O. Box 216 in Sterling 13156 or download a form at www.cayuganet.org/sterlingpark/center/photocontestentry2009.pdf. Entries are due by Oct. 7.

• Life on the Edge, 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 8.

The first summer Wednesday Wildlife program will involve exploration of the edge of Dragonfly Pond. Dragonfly nymphs, raccoon tracks, leopard frogs and red-winged blackbird nests might be discovered.

• Butterflies, 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11.

Join Naturalist Jim DAngelo on a search for butterflies and their larva. Explore fields, flowers and gardens for them. Identification tips, discussion of their interesting behavior and how they can be attracted to backyards will take place along the walk. An indoor slide show and discussion will take place, if conditions are not right for outdoor butterfly observation.

• Bugs, Bugs, Bugs, 1 p.m. Wednesday July 15.

When is a bug not a bug and are all insects bugs or all bugs insects? These questions will be answered by naturalist Jim D'Angelo, when he leads an exploration of insect life. Widow skimmers, monarchs and tiger beetles may be a few of the insects found. Sweep nets and other methods will be used to collect, observe, identify and then free insects of field and forest. The program is suggested for kids with a parent, as well as anyone with an interest in insects.

• Tree Identification with Don Cox, 1 p.m. Saturday July 18.

Learn the basic leaf characteristics and how these are used in the construction of leaf keys for tree identification in a brief indoor session. Then, join Don Cox outside to learn to identify native trees of central New York.

Dragonflies - Master's of the Sky, 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. Join Naturalist Jim D'Angelo for an indoor presentation and discussion about dragonflies, followed by a dragonfly hunt into wetlands and meadow.

• Photographing Natural Landscapes with Joe Lefevre 1 p.m. Saturday July 25.

Joe Lefevre has been photographing natural landscapes for over 25 years. His photographs have been published in 'Outdoor Photographer,' 'Adirondack Life' and the 'New York State Conservationist' magazines. He is a self-taught photographer, who will share tips and techniques to help capture landscapes in the right light. For more information, visit Lefevre's Web site at www.joelefevrephoto.com to learn more about him and view his photographs.

• Bats!!! 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 29.

Bats do many incredible tasks in their ecosystems, from eating thousands of insects to pollinating flowers and dispersing seed. Join Naturalist Jim D'Angelo for a fascinating look into the lives of bats. Discover the truths surrounding many common myths, discuss their conservation needs and take a short walk to watch bats feeding on insects over the fields. A special bat detector tool will allow participants to hear their echolocation calls.

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