Pennyrile Forest Naturalist and Recreation Blog

In order to show camper’s how much Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park appreciates them, we are offering a special rate of two nights camping for the price of one! Don't worry there are still over 10 regular campsites left and one horse campsite, so you can still camp with us for this special weekend.

The following is the schedule for the special programs that will be offered during Camper Appreciation Weekend:

Friday, April 27, 2012
7:00 PM Herpetology Program & Night Walk Amphitheater
Ribbit, croak, ribbit… What frog is that calling? Don’t know. You may be able to figure it out after the naturalist introduces you to frog calls that can be heard in the Pennyrile region. The naturalist will have several live reptiles and amphibians to show the group. After the main program we will take a walk down to the lake to see what we can hear and see.
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Blackberry bushes are blooming througout Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.

Although the flowering trees have finished blooming there are still plenty of wildflowers to be found at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. Blackberry is a little past peak bloom, but many pretty blossoms can still be seen in the area. On the lake trail the following wildflowers were seen in bloom on April 18th :Blue Phlox (past peak), Prairie Trillium (past peak), Wild Geranium (past peak), Quaker Ladies, Small Bluets, Buttercup sp., Dwarf Dandelion, Violet Wood Sorrel, Blue-eyed grass, Dwarf Larkspur, Sweet Cicely, and Wild Ginger. Throughout the park Philadelphia Fleabane, Ragwort, and Lyre-leaved Sage can be seen.

Wildlife observations from the last today and yesterday include: Wild Turkey, Northern Parula, Prairie Warbler (on neighboring Pennyrile State Forest), Midland Water Snake, Cricket Frog, Bluegill, Groundhog, Tadepoles, Red-spotted Purple (butterfly), and Channel Catfish.

Spring Photography Weekend 2012 Schedule

Friday, April 20, 2012

2:00 pm to Registration / Check-in. Lodge Lobby
7:45 pm Contestants may begin taking photographs once check-in is completed.
5:00 pm Clifty Creek Restaurant opens for dinner.
8:00 pm Welcome / Evening Program. EG Glover Room
Tonight’s Program: “Introduction to the Spring Photography Weekend and What the Judges Want”- In this program naturalist Rebecca Clark will explain rules of the contest, highlight changes in rules, and tell tips she’s heard from previous judges on what makes a good photograph. Lowell Mendyk will show photos he’s taken of the contest categories and tell how he achieved those photographs.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

7:00 am Clifty Creek Restaurant opens for Contenintal breakfast.
11:30 am Clifty Creek Restaurant opens for lunch.
12:00 pm Begin accepting contest submissions Lodge Lobby
5:00 pm Clifty Creek Restaurant opens for dinner.
5:00 pm DEADLINE TO SUBMIT DIGITAL PICTURES. Lodge Lobby. All contestants must turn in media cards by this time to be eligible for contest & awards.
8:00 pm Evening Program. EG Glover Room
Tonight’s Program: “Seeing the Light” – WM. Gross Magee, Murray State University, Department of Journalism and Mass Communications

Sunday, April 22, 2012

7:00 am Clifty Creek Restaurant opens for Contenintal breakfast.
8:00 am Judging begins: No contestants are permitted in the room during this time. Your event judges will be Gross Magee and Lowell Mendyk EG Glover Room
10:30 am Lodging Check-out (Please check out of your accommodation before the awards program begins)
11:00 am Awards Presentations & Critique. (Time May Vary)* EG Glover Room
12:00 pm Clifty Creek Restaurant opens for lunch.

* Please be patient with us.

To see the results of the Fall 2011 Photography Weekend Contest click here.

Crossvine

Throughout the park and the surrounding forest one can see the Black Locust Trees and Flowering Dogwood tree (past peak bloom) in bloom. Crossvine and Blackberry can also be seen blooming in various locations throughout the area.

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KENTUCKY UNBRIDLED SPRING PROGRAM COMPLIMENTS OF THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Virginia Bluebells


Buds are bursting out all over. Spring is here and Kentucky is radiating with many species of wildflowers. Find your favorite outdoor location to enjoy everything Kentucky has to offer. Please click this LINK to review some of the wildflower reports from naturalists across the Commonwealth.

For additional information about Kentucky State Parks and some of the upcoming Spring and Wildflower Events, please view this SITE.