Ijams Hiking Club takes to the High Ground

Ignoring the heat—or maybe escaping from it—the Ijams Hiking Club ventured to higher ground, namely the Civil War site of Ft. Higley at High Ground Park and River Bluff Wildlife Area for the best view of downtown Knoxville and the river.

Ijams volunteer leaders were Amy Oakey and Eric Johnson. 

For Amy, it was a bit of a celebration/anniversary. She started hiking three years ago, tagging along with the Ijams Hiking Club to the same location. After that, she caught the hiking bug and has notched off all of the trails in the Knoxville Urban Wilderness twice and many of the trails in the Great Smokies.

Great hike. Thank you, Amy and Eric!

Ijams congratulates volunteer Amy Oakey for her life-changing accomplishment!

 

TN Naturalists@Ijams spend a day for/with the birds

The 2017 edition of TN Naturalists@Ijams held its fifth class Saturday, May 20 at the nature center.  

This class was devoted to ornithology, the study of birds. Ijams' senior naturalist Stephen Lyn hosted the class. 

Because of the sultry forecast, the class started outdoors then moved inside to escape the heat. Under the shade of a sycamore, we talked basic bird-ology using a live red-tailed hawk as a teaching aid. What better way to learn about the different types of feathers—flight, contour, semiplume, down and modified—avian anatomy and field markings than looking at a gorgeous bird of prey close-up? 

And with titmice and Carolina wrens singing in the background, we learned about the different types of bird vocalizations. Not all bird calls are melodic. Warning calls are harsh and usually mean there is danger about, watch yourself. 

This is the fifth year the statewide program has been taught at Ijams. In all, it's 12 classes held once or twice a month until November. After students finish the 40 hours of classes and the required 40 hours of volunteer work, they become certified Tennessee Naturalists.
 
The next class focuses on herpetology: the study of reptiles and amphibians.

For a look back at our previous four classes, click:

 Mammals
 Trees

Wildflowers

Introduction

  

- Supplied photos by naturalist student and commercial photographer 

Kristy Keel-Blackmon. Thank you, Kristy!