Nature

Large, wonderous and impressive Pileated Woodpeckers

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Here are a couple of videos we took and some facts about these eye catching forest  birds. Pileated Woodpeckers are crow-sized birds (16 – 19 inches long) with a flame-red crest on top of their head. Their wingspan can be up to 30 inches.

The Pileated Woodpecker’s primary food is carpenter ants, along with other ants, woodboring beetle larvae, termites, and other insects such as flies, spruce budworm, caterpillars, cockroaches, and grasshoppers.

Pileated Woodpeckers stay with the same mate for life. Pairs claim forest territories up to 150 acres or larger. They loudly drum on trees with their beaks all year long to announce the boundaries of their territories.

 

Indianapolis Southwestway Park offers mountain bike and horse trails

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Southwestway Park is a 587-acre park in the southwest part of Indy, outside the I-465 loop on Mann Road.  There is a long trail system that includes hiking, mountain biking, running and horseback riding. There are baseball diamonds, soccer fields and other recreational sports available here, along with the Winding River Golf Course.

Yes, horses allowed

Beautiful trails

Trail Head information board with trail maps

Discover White River Rewards Pass is a delightful program that allows you to explore 37 different parks along White River in central Indiana. Southwestway Park is one of 37 Indy parks belonging to the Rewards Pass. The Discover White River Pass offers exclusive real-world rewards like stickers, shirts, and on-water experiences by visiting dozens of parks and attractions.

New York and New Jersey hit with 4.8 magnitude earthquake

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New York and New Jersey felt the earth shake less than an hour ago at 10:30 AM. The quake registered 4.8 on the Richter Scale. Reports of shaking have already been reported from Maine to Maryland.

Location of the 4.8 magnitude quake, map courtesy USGS

Early reports have not mentioned any severe damage. Several agencies in the area have ordered stops to services until inspections can be performed on infrastructure. Earthquakes are rare in the U.S. Northeast.

 

 

Indiana prepares for the total solar eclipse

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Central Indiana is fortunate to be directly on the route of the long awaited total solar eclipse. Small town Shelbyville is pulling out all the stops in preparation for this exciting event.

On the town square

Announcing the eclipse

Downtown store front decorations

Statewide excitement about the eclipse

Shelbyville is directly in the perfect viewing path of the eclipse. Hopefully the skies will be clear on April 8th. If not, you will have to wait until 2044 for the next eclipse viewing!