Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) in bloom. In background, the white flowers are Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis). These natives and many more in gardens and landscape of Trailside are thriving in beneficial relations with pollinators. This site was covered in a thick blanket of invasive shrubs and vines 8 years ago.

Zookeeping Interpreter Mal Muratori meets up with Chompy to explore some fun facts about the busy beaver!

Zookeeping Interpreter Mal Muratori runs through the zoo at human speed busting myths about local wildlife!

Zookeeping Interpreter Mal Muratori lovingly narrates the spring activities at an Eastern Phoebe nest, as these songbirds raise their five little ones.

Surprise the animal lover in your life and help us feed and care for our animals by adopting one of their favorite Trailside critters! https://www.trailsidemuseumsandzoo.org/donate/

Early dawn on the Hudson River looking south from Trailside Museums & Zoo.

Late Fall at Trailside’s Woodland Pool. As the grasses die back and trees and shrubs have shed leaves, duckweed stays green. Duckweed is the smallest known flowering plant. Each plant is a single, flat oval leaf (a modified stem) up to long. It floats on the surface of slow-moving ponds and lakes. Its flower is diminutive, but flowers do attract flies, mites, small spiders and bees that disperse the pollen. Duckweed is an important source of food for waterfowl and fish.

Planting Eastern Flowering Dogwood.

Happy Thanksgiving to all from Trailside! Please be well and stay safe! Trailside Museums & Zoo will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. On Friday, November 27th, Trailside will reopen and be open every day 10:30 am to 4:00 pm with last entrance at 3:30. Please wear masks covering mouth and nose, maintain social distance and wash hands frequently. Stay home if you feel sick or may have been exposed to Covid 19.

https://www.nytimes.com//s/hungry-caterpillars-angry.html