Nature Study & Conservation 

Self-Guided Nature Hike (Oak Valley Trail)

Blog: "In the Field" - Tidbits encountered in Shelton's open space and nearby parks.

Animal Species: Photos of animal species I've encountered in the Shelton Lakes area (great for kids).   Thumbnail photos, click photo to enlarge.

Wildflower Photo Album: Pictures of wildflowers I've taken along the trails.

Page 1: Early June at the powerlines (either side of Shelton Ave, including Oak Valley Trail). Bittersweet Nightshade, Arrowwood, Blackberry, Bluets, Bush Honeysuckle, Common Cinquefoil, Common Speedwell, Crown Vetch, Fleabane, Field of Daisies.

Page 2: Early June at the powerlines. Maple Leaf Viburnum, Field Hawkweed, Pink Corydalis, Racemed Milkwort, Sulfur Cinquefoil, Yellow Stargrass, Wild Rose (white), Yarrow, Wood Sorrel, field of Hawkweed.

Page 3: June 11 on Oak Valley Trail. The best bloom of Mountain Laurel I've ever seen.

Page 4: Late June along the powerlines. Venus's Looking Glass, Brown-Eyed Susan, Hop Clover, Deptford Pink, Milkweed with butterfly, Wild Rose (large pink), St. John's Wort, Meadowsweet, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Sulfur Cinquefoil.

Vernal Pools Along the Trails:  There are tiny pools along the trails which are breeding places for salamanders and frogs, and a home to species which can survive only in vernal pools.

Bird List:  Tom Kilroy's list of bird species seen in the Shelton Lakes region.

Related Links:

Ansonia Nature Center:   The Ansonia Nature Center website has a listing of upcoming events (lots of things for kids) as well as directions to the Center.

The Kellogg Center: Located in Derby, this nature center is operated by the State of Connecticut and has programs for the kids.