Monthly Archives: July 2021

Silver-spotted skipper

Epargyreus clarus, the silver-spotted skipper, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is claimed to be the most recognized skipper in North America.[2] E. clarus occurs in fields, gardens, and at forest edges and ranges from southern Canada throughout most of the United States to northern Mexico, but is absent in the Great Basin and western Texas.[3]

Source: Epargyreus clarus — Wikipedia

Lapland Pond

Lapland Pond is a small body of water tucked within the mountains east of Lake George. It can be accessed using a roughly 2 mile trail starting at the Black Mountain trailhead on Pike Brook road, Clemons, NY. The trail features two smaller ponds and several wooden bridges before it comes to Lapland pond itself, which offers scenic views of its surrounding mountains.

Location

Trail photos

At the trail head. A variety of destinations to choose from.
At the trail head. A variety of destinations to choose from.
The sun is lighting up the treetop canopy and the gravel pathway beneath.
The sun is lighting up the treetop canopy and the gravel pathway beneath.
Private property to the left. Keep right to stay on the trail.
Private property to the left. Keep right to stay on the trail.
Signs at a juncture. Going left toward lapland pond.
Signs at a juncture. Going left toward lapland pond.
The first clearing. A beaver den in a pond with blue skies and mountains in the background.
The first clearing. A beaver den in a pond with blue skies and mountains in the background.
A wooden bridge to cross the pond. You can hear the gentle flow of the water.
A wooden bridge to cross the pond. You can hear the gentle flow of the water.
White lines form an interesting pattern within the bark of a birch tree.
White lines form an interesting pattern within the bark of a birch tree.
A tree, fallen on a beaver den.
A tree, fallen on a beaver den.
Three large logs form a bridge to cross a stream.
Three large logs form a bridge to cross a stream.
An abandoned cart with bedding and blankets sits in the middle of a muddy trail.
An abandoned cart with bedding and blankets sits in the middle of a muddy trail.
A fork and another clearing ahead.
A fork and another clearing ahead.
Hand written signs showing the lean-to to the left and ponds further along the trail to the right.
Hand written signs showing the lean-to to the left and ponds further along the trail to the right.
One last worn wooden bridge before arriving at Lapland Pond.
One last worn wooden bridge before arriving at Lapland Pond.
A beautiful view of Lapland Pond, with blue skies and a green tree line in the background.
A beautiful view of Lapland Pond, with blue skies and a green tree line in the background.
The first glimpse of the lean-to at the top of the hill ahead.
The first glimpse of the lean-to at the top of the hill ahead.
A lean-to, fire pit, and picnic table.
A lean-to, fire pit, and picnic table.
Various camping supplies are inside the lean-to, along with a journal.
Various camping supplies are inside the lean-to, along with a journal.
A view of Lapland Pond from the lean-to.
A view of Lapland Pond from the lean-to.
The first page of the journal, with only a couple entries written.
The first page of the journal, with only a couple entries written.
Beware: You may not operate any unauthorized “motor vehichles”.
Beware: You may not operate any unauthorized “motor vehichles”.
An abandoned bird nest in the rafters of the lean-to.
An abandoned bird nest in the rafters of the lean-to.
A view of Lapland Pond from the rock outlook near the lean-to.
A view of Lapland Pond from the rock outlook near the lean-to.
A view of Lapland Pond looking out to the west.
A view of Lapland Pond looking out to the west.
The outhouse behind the lean-to. The door in no slight need of repair.
The outhouse behind the lean-to. The door in no slight need of repair.
A Green Frog floating in the pond.
A Green Frog floating in the pond.
Lapland pond.
Lapland pond.
An Eastern Newt submerged in a puddle along the trail.
An Eastern Newt submerged in a puddle along the trail.
A map of the route from Black mountain trailhead to Lapland pond.
A map of the route from Black mountain trailhead to Lapland pond.