Nik Hughes
@oldgreytroll.bsky.social
Retired computer developer. Volunteer Ranger. Volunteer Naturalist. AKA OldGreyTroll I was a toll taking troll before there was an internet.
My Nature Crafts program at my state park drew 50 people today. Last week was 60. Parking today was absolutely chaotic.
September 30, 2025 at 11:54 PM
My Nature Crafts program at my state park drew 50 people today. Last week was 60. Parking today was absolutely chaotic.
Yesterday's Nature Crafts program at Seneca Creek State Park was a huge success. Had 60 people show up to learn a bit about Maryland butterflies and then make butterfly rings.
And then some of the kids got creative and wanted to know how to make other animals. I managed to come up with several.
And then some of the kids got creative and wanted to know how to make other animals. I managed to come up with several.
September 24, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Yesterday's Nature Crafts program at Seneca Creek State Park was a huge success. Had 60 people show up to learn a bit about Maryland butterflies and then make butterfly rings.
And then some of the kids got creative and wanted to know how to make other animals. I managed to come up with several.
And then some of the kids got creative and wanted to know how to make other animals. I managed to come up with several.
North American flying squirrels fluoresce pink under UV light.
August 20, 2025 at 11:39 AM
North American flying squirrels fluoresce pink under UV light.
As a guy, I just don't see it....
July 31, 2025 at 11:16 AM
As a guy, I just don't see it....
Come to the Dark Side. We have cookies.
July 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Come to the Dark Side. We have cookies.
Full, cinematic version: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R-r...
June 5, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Full, cinematic version: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R-r...
I claim this is a juvenile Bald Eagle. I was doing an information table at our main picnic area. One of the visitors looks over my shoulder and says "what kind of bird is that?" We decided on Bald Eagle. I'm trying to figure out how to record that in my program visitation number report.... #Birds 🪶
May 31, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I claim this is a juvenile Bald Eagle. I was doing an information table at our main picnic area. One of the visitors looks over my shoulder and says "what kind of bird is that?" We decided on Bald Eagle. I'm trying to figure out how to record that in my program visitation number report.... #Birds 🪶
Wifely dive buddy giving the universal dive sign “what are you doing?” Innocent bystander wondering “what the eel is going on here?”
May 24, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Wifely dive buddy giving the universal dive sign “what are you doing?” Innocent bystander wondering “what the eel is going on here?”
So I have a wife who is a Volunteer Ranger with me. Today she was given the Maryland Park Service Valor Award for successfully handling a medical emergency as a first responder while on duty at the state park. I am very proud of her!
May 15, 2025 at 7:23 PM
So I have a wife who is a Volunteer Ranger with me. Today she was given the Maryland Park Service Valor Award for successfully handling a medical emergency as a first responder while on duty at the state park. I am very proud of her!
April 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Here in Maryland, we also have Black Vultures. Who are apparently better at opening up deer carcasses. So they set the table for the Turkey Vultures.
April 16, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Here in Maryland, we also have Black Vultures. Who are apparently better at opening up deer carcasses. So they set the table for the Turkey Vultures.
Turtles! About half native Painted Turtles, about half invasive Red-eared Sliders, and one invasive Cobra Chicken.
April 12, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Turtles! About half native Painted Turtles, about half invasive Red-eared Sliders, and one invasive Cobra Chicken.
April 11, 2025 at 12:04 AM
One of my jobs at the county Nature Center is to monitor a set of 8 Eastern Bluebird nesting boxes set up across the park. And the nesting season has begun. Today I had 7 eggs across my 8 boxes. #Birds #volunteering
www.nabluebirdsociety.org
www.nabluebirdsociety.org
April 10, 2025 at 10:30 PM
One of my jobs at the county Nature Center is to monitor a set of 8 Eastern Bluebird nesting boxes set up across the park. And the nesting season has begun. Today I had 7 eggs across my 8 boxes. #Birds #volunteering
www.nabluebirdsociety.org
www.nabluebirdsociety.org
If you are murder-bird brained, you'll see a cassowary.
March 31, 2025 at 12:37 PM
If you are murder-bird brained, you'll see a cassowary.
My cat intermitting
March 20, 2025 at 1:08 AM
My cat intermitting
One of the primary rules of conservation is to NEVER lend a squirrel your switchblade.
February 22, 2025 at 9:27 PM
One of the primary rules of conservation is to NEVER lend a squirrel your switchblade.
Go Flying Squirrels! Who glow pink in U/V light. I’m certain they will use this superpower to defeat their foes and advance up the bracket.
#2025MMM #flyingsquirrels
#2025MMM #flyingsquirrels
February 22, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Go Flying Squirrels! Who glow pink in U/V light. I’m certain they will use this superpower to defeat their foes and advance up the bracket.
#2025MMM #flyingsquirrels
#2025MMM #flyingsquirrels
The last bits of the work getting the trails ready to open: tagging trees with blue blazes
February 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The last bits of the work getting the trails ready to open: tagging trees with blue blazes
Hey Mexico! Is it time to spotlight the “Gulf of America Dead Zone” or Hypoxia Zone?
www.epa.gov/system/files...
www.epa.gov/system/files...
January 29, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Hey Mexico! Is it time to spotlight the “Gulf of America Dead Zone” or Hypoxia Zone?
www.epa.gov/system/files...
www.epa.gov/system/files...
In other news, it is the time of year to stab trees and boil their blood for breakfast gravy. Here in Maryland, it is time to start. Over the course of the next month we will get just enough to make a taste of maple syrup. You need 40 gallons of Sugar Maple sap to make one gallon of maple syrup.
January 28, 2025 at 9:46 PM
In other news, it is the time of year to stab trees and boil their blood for breakfast gravy. Here in Maryland, it is time to start. Over the course of the next month we will get just enough to make a taste of maple syrup. You need 40 gallons of Sugar Maple sap to make one gallon of maple syrup.
And in my mind I hear this: Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is irony... irony and sarcasm... sarcasm and irony... Our two weapons are sarcasm and irony... and satire.... Our three weapons are sarcasm, and irony, and satire... and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope...
January 27, 2025 at 1:46 PM
And in my mind I hear this: Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is irony... irony and sarcasm... sarcasm and irony... Our two weapons are sarcasm and irony... and satire.... Our three weapons are sarcasm, and irony, and satire... and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope...