From Dragonflies to Butterflies at Ann Lee Pond

Wednesday, June 18, 2014
So this past Sunday, after my extremely easy going husband spent the better part of his Father's Day waiting patiently for me to take a few  photos (ok many) of the roses in Central Park, I decided to take in one more "scenic stop"...........because we were "right there".  Ladies, you know what I'm saying.  I mean it was practically "on the way home".

I sound like a broken record, but this is yet another place I'd never been until last year.  I hope I'm not the only person who led a sheltered existence in my own happy little bubble.  Since this particular spot is pretty centrally located........just down the road from the Albany International Airport, I'm guessing many of you are familiar with the Ann Lee Pond Nature and Historic Preserve.  If you are, and have been a 100 times.....yay for you!  This blog may not be too exciting. If not, let me tell you just a little history (I promise - a little) about it.

 Anna Lee was the leader of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, or Shakers.
 In 1774 Ann Lee and a small group of her followers emigrated from England to New York. After several years, they gathered at Niskayuna, renting land from the Manor of Rensselaerswyck, Albany County, New York (the area now called Colonie). They worshiped by ecstatic dancing or "shaking", which dubbed them as the Shaking Quakers, or Shakers. Ann Lee preached to the public and led the Shaker church at a time when few women did either. (Wikipedia)  The property containing the Ann Lee Pond  is one of thirteen Shaker historical museums in the country. The Colonie property includes nine Shaker buildings, herb gardens, open fields,  an apple orchard, Ann Lee Pond nature preserve, and the Shaker cemetery where founder Ann Lee is buried. Enough history.....what I love about Ann Lee is the serenity that is found here.  Although not far from the bustling airport traffic and the Northway, within this preserve you are transported into nature's embrace.    And within that embrace.....your tension will be released and you will let nature take charge of your senses.








Ok....so sorry to whip you out of your tranquility with this not so calming sight.  Fortunately I didn't spot him until the very end of our visit, since my Mom has no love nor bravery when it involves snakes.   This little guy, who was much smaller than he appears here, was just all tied up chillin' by the water's edge............and probably didn't even take offense to being deserted by the paparazzi. 

This link below is awesome.  This blogger has written about just about every nature preserve in the area, and has a comprehensive wildflower guide.


Thank you for allowing me to share by photos and thoughts with you!  And Have a Great Day!!!

4 comments

  1. Loved every part of the blog but not the SNAKE. Thank you


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  2. OK, I'm coming home and staying around Saratoga Springs for about a month. Much to see and do, and lovely people I know live there. Thanks for sharing so much - I learned a lot from today's blog. Never knew the derivation of of the word Sharkers. All photos are beautiful, but the dragonfly ones are fantastic.

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