Paleo Walk at Stratford Hall

Harry P. was able to arrange an opportunity for the Central Rappahannock Master Naturalists to visit the private beach area of Stratford Hall (located in Westmoreland County) to learn about and hunt for fossils.  I have to admit this has been on my bucket list for years.

We met fairly early at the Stratford Hall Visitor Center, where we were introduced to our guides.  There was a discussion on the types of fossils that have been found, including the favored Megladon teeth and some of the rare finds that have been made.  While a ticket to Stratford Hall will allow access to the beach, that access is restricted to a small area.  We had received special permission to walk past the ropes and head far up the beach.  To provide a more hands on experience the two guides split us into two groups and we heading in opposite directions.

Layers of clay with visible fossils

Clay layer

Armed with waterproof boots, bucket, small shovel and an inexpensive plastic colander I followed our guide Theresa.  The weather was perfect, a bit cool but not uncomfortable.  We walked along the beach at low tide, Theresa pointing out how to look for sharks teeth, bone, fossilized shells and the like.  She pointed out the cliffs (you do not want to walk too closely, a large piece fell while we where there) where you could easily see the stratification.  Each layer of clay was from a different time period, sometimes fossils or mammal bones were evident in each layer.  She spoke of the different animals the fossils came from.  At this point I really wished I had thought to write down everything as my memory is not what it use to be.  What looked like large gray rocks and boulders on the beach, were in fact compressed clay.  Theresa said the fossils would often be found in the clay.

Fallen clay

Denise is searching

Continuing to walk along the beach and crossing a stream, my fellow naturalists continued to look sharks teeth.  I stopped at the stream where it emptied into the Potomac River and decided to use my colander to shift through the silt.  One must readily admit, I could have stayed there all day for in a manner of minutes there were some interesting finds.  Fossilized top plates from a ray, young whale vertebrae (no protrusions on either end indicated youth), a chunk of clay with fossilized imprints, pieces of tree scallops, and a number of pieces of bone.  

Sharks Teeth

Fossilized impressions in clay

Rib bone, bone fragment, whale vertebrae

Like a small child, I went off to show our guide my finds.  She explained what each one was and that all were approximately 5 million years old.  As I looked out across the Potomac I could just imagine how different the landscape must of been.  A smile spread across my face and I walked back up the beach to my vehicle and left.  What a wonderful day.

Owl Prowl at Caledon was a Hoot

The Central Rappahannock Master Naturalists were able to participate in a special program for owls at Caledon State Park.  One of the park rangers, Mike Callahan, led a very fascinating program on local owls.  He taught us owl calls, their biology, food sources, habitat and other facts.  After the informative classroom session, we headed outside onto a wagon.

The night was clear, with thousands of twinkling stars.  Various constellations were easily identified and pointed out.  This definitely was not summer time, well bundled up with hand warmers, hot cocoa and blankets we left the warmth of the park visitor center into very chilly woods.

Our first stop was for the Barred Owl, Mike making his first call "Who cooks for you?  Who cools for you - all?" with the "all" dropping almost to a squawk.  After a few minutes, there was a response, a fly by, observation by the owl through flying from one tree to the next.  Then after a flight right over our heads he settled down on a tree not far from the wagon and responded to Mike's call.  The owl was quite vocal and with a quick light from a flashlight we were able to view him in all his glory.  

Our second stop, Mike called for Eastern Screech Owls. Their call is more of a whinny, not a screech.  Mike needed some moisture and tipped his head back to make a whistle/whinny sound.  A small owl, with color variants of gray or red do not usually reveal themselves due to predatory nature of larger owls.  While we did not see them, we definitely heard them.  Before long we were surrounded by three owls calling back and forth to Mike.   

Our final stop was out by the Potomac River.  Mike called for the Great Horned Owl, "Hoo- h'hooooo-hoo-hoo".  He called for well over five minutes.  About to give up, we heard a faint answer in the distance.  Mike continued to call, the Great Horned Owl continued to answer.  Although I am pretty sure if we could interpret owl he responded with, "hey great to hear from you, but it is cold, late and I am not flying all the way over there."  With that we headed back.

We were all pretty chilled by the time we arrived back to the visitors center.  Another cup of hot cocoa, new found knowledge and some owl calling skills we ended for the evening.  One of the most interesting things I have participated in, seeing these magnificent birds. 

On a final note, I have been practicing the owl calls at home.......much to the chagrin of my dog and husband.