Pennyrile Forest Naturalist and Recreation Blog

Both of these photographs depict Halloween Pennants. This dragonfly flies in the summer despite its name. They can be found near marshes, swamps, and ponds, but are often seen foraging away from water.



Dragonfly Viewing Tips
*Dragonflies are most active in warm sunny weather.
*The photos above were all taken near Pennyrile Lake.
*The best place to view dragonflies at the park is on the boardwalk between the beach and the boat dock, or on the lake trail.
*Try not to let your shadow go before you as this can scare a dragonfly off its perch.
*If you are trying to photograph dragonflies you must be patient. If the dragonfly leaves its perch, don't give up they often come back to the same perch.













Slaty Skimmers can be found all summer long at Pennyrile lake. This species of dragonfly can be seen around still waters in forested areas. Slaty skimmers are often found perching on the highest weed on the edge of the water that is in a patch of sun.

Matt Snook

Nashville recording artist Matt Snook will be performing live behind the lodge for a special 2 hour performance as part of his Nashville Debut CD tour. Matt performs all over the U.S. and overseas for our troops. You can check out his music at www.mattsnookmusic.com/



Music in the Park featuring Matt Snook
September 4, 2011
Lodge Patio
7-9:00PM
Bring lawn chairs or blanket

Groundhogs of Pennyrile

Many visitors of our park get a chance to see groundhogs, also known as woodchucks during their stay. The groundhog is a member of the order Rodentia, which contains other animals like mice, squirrels, and rats. The reason many visitors are able to see groundhogs at Pennyrile Forest is because the groundhogs are one of the few large mammals that are active during the day. At our park you can often see groundhogs under the birdfeeders around the lodge, eating sunflower seed the birds dropped, or young plants that have just sprouted up.

Groundhog Facts
Nearly 100% of a groundhogs diet is plant matter. Groundhogs build a den in rocky or sandy sloping land that is usually an edge habitat between forest and open land. The den consists of a main entrance, side entrance, and a nest chamber. They often have different dens for the summer and winter. Groundhogs are known for hibernating. They typically hibernate beginning at the end of October and ending in mid February, depending on the weather. Groundhogs are an important animal in our ecosystem because of their role as a builder of homes. Groundhog dens are used by skunks, foxes, weasels, opossums, and rabbits as homes, sometimes even while the groundhog is still using the den.

Want to know what programs are going on at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park next weekend? Click on the link below to find out:Pennyrile Forest SRP Labor Day wkd 2011.pdf

Programs can also be viewed on the program calendar on the internet.

After Labor Day Weekend 2011 regularly scheduled programs will again be offered beginning Memorial Day Weekend 2012. The park offers many special events between Labor Day 2011 and Memorial Day 2012. The park's special events for the rest of 2011 can be found on line by clicking special eventsWe also offer group programs for various types of groups (school field trips, senior groups, scout groups, and church groups).

Want to know what programs are going on at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park next week? Click on the link below to find out:Prile Aug 17-21 2011 blog.pdf Or for August 24-28, 2011 click on the following link:Prile Aug 24-28 2011 blog.pdf


Programs can also be viewed on the program calendar on the internet.

The naturalist and recreation staff will offer programs Thursday through Saturday until Labor Day Weekend. Programs offered are a variety of guided hikes & nature programs, arts & crafts, and sports & games.