Sat., May 17 1:30pm Welcome Back, Hummingbirds! They're back! Our beloved ruby-throats have made their amazing flight from Mexico and Central America, and now they are here. Sit back and enjoy a presentation about the incredible lives of these tiny wonders and watch them as they buzz around the backyard. Sun., May 18 1:30pm Totally Turtles Can turtles really live to be 100 years old? We'll find out as we explore the fascinating lives of these shell-bound critters and meet some live examples. Program free with NS admission. Sat.-Mon., May 24-26 RIVER DAYS Explore the adventurous waters of rivers! At the Nature Station, step back into the world of Tom Sawyer, a boy who grew up alongside the river. Have adventures, learn outdoor skills, and encounter the world as you might have done if you had lived in Tom Sawyer's days. At The Homeplace, enjoy cultural programs focusing on the importance of rivers to a 19th century farm. Sat., May 24 11am Surviving in Nature Playing the woods is so much fun! Tom Sawyer thought so too, and he learned some survival skills while he was at it. Join us as we build forts (wilderness shelters) and learn how to predict the weather by watching the sky. Program free with NS admission. Sat., May 24 1-3pm The Jumping Frog of Trigg County Hey kids! Learn how to make your own origami jumping frog. Practice getting your frog to jump as far as you can for a jumping frog race. Program free with NS admission. Sat., May 24 3pm Barkley's Beasts: BIG & small Discover the critters that live in Lake Barkley like alligator snappers, slithering snakes, and fantastic frogs. Meet these members of the wet & wild crew up close and personal. Program free with NS admission. Sat., May 24 6-8:30pm Sunset Canoe Trip Enjoy the beauty of an LBL sunset as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley's scenic bays. We'll search for wildlife such as herons, osprey, and beavers. Beginners are welcome. $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., May 25 7-9:30am Early Morning Canoe Trip Calling all early birds! Early morning is one of the best times to spot wildlife. Enjoy the morning's natural chorus while we go for a peaceful paddle on the lake. Continental breakfast items provided. $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., May 25 11am Tall "Tails" Tom Sawyer's aunt always told tall tales about river wildlife. We will share some of our favorite wildlife lore as we introduce you to some river-dwelling critters up close. Find out if any of the tall tales are true. Program free with NS admission. Sun., May 25 1pm Beat the Heat: Water Games With no air conditioning, Tom Sawyer and his friends had to beat the heat somehow. We bet it involved getting WET! Visit the Nature Station as we play some old-fashioned games, but get soaking wet and have lots of fun in the process. Program free with NS admission. Sun., May 25 2-3:30pm Go Fly a Kite Kids in the past would often spend a summer day flying kites. Visit the Nature Station to make your own kite, and spend your afternoon outdoors practicing to fly it. Program free with NS admission. Sun., May 25 6-8:30pm Sunset Canoe Trip Enjoy the beauty of an LBL sunset as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley's scenic bays. We'll search for wildlife such as herons, osprey, and beavers. Beginners are welcome. $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Mon., May 26 11am Cookin' Over the Campfire Time to brush up on some outdoor cooking skills! We will demonstrate a few methods for cooking over a fire that you can try on your next camping trip. Stop by for a taste of what outdoor cooking is all about. Program free with NS admission. Mon., May 26 3pm "Spooky" Species Ol' Tom Sawyer was not afraid of much, but he probably got frightened at night sometimes by the hoot of an owl or the howl of a coyote. Take a stroll in the backyard with us as we introduce you to some nocturnal animals and talk about how they might "spook" us. Program free with NS admission. Sat., May 31 7-9am Breakfast with the Birds Rise and shine bird fans! Spend the morning with some great company, our backyard songbirds. Enjoy a continental breakfast while you watch the goldfinches, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, orioles, and others have their own feeding frenzy. Then join us for a stroll down to the lake to search for a few more. $3/$5. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sat., May 31 1:30pm Nature Station Grand Tour We'll introduce you to the Nature Station's resident wildlife, including owls, a bald eagle, bobcat, deer, coyotes, and endangered red wolves. Learn why these animals live at the Nature Station and how their relatives survive in the wild. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Jun. 1 2pm Busy As Bees Hey kids! Do you think you would make a good worker bee? Find out as we learn all about bees, their life cycle, and how a hive works through activities and games. Also check out our honeybee colony and try to spot the queen. Program free with NS admission. Tues., Jun. 3 2pm Truly Talon-ted Enjoy face-to-face encounters with the master hunters of the bird world, the raptors! By meeting several species of owls and a hawk, you'll see first-hand how these birds use stealth, speed, and superior senses to rule the skies. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Jun. 5 10:30am Storytime with Turtle Bring the little ones for this unique storytime program! Your kids will love to explore the world of turtles as we read a story about turtles and then meet a live turtle up close. We will also make a turtle craft that your kids can take home. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jun. 7 1:30pm A Serious Case of the Uglies: Strange Animals of LBL Beauty is often in the eye of the beholder. Let's look at some critters who have faces only their mothers would love, such as vultures, snapping turtles, opossums, and more. We will discover how their ugliness can be an advantage for survival. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jun. 7 6-8:30pm Sunset Canoe Trip Enjoy the beauty of an LBL sunset as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley's scenic bays. We'll search for wildlife visiting the lake at twilight such as osprey, herons, beavers, and songbirds. Beginners are welcome! $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., Jun. 8 1:30pm Backyard Bats Many people don't want bats anywhere near their homes… until they learn that one bat can eat 3000 mosquitoes per night! Discover some fun facts about bats and how people can help them during this slide presentation. Then go into the backyard to look and listen for bats roosting in our bat boxes. Each family will receive a bat resource packet. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Jun. 10 10:30am Woodland Walk Let's go for a hike on one of our favorite trails! This 1-mile guided hike will take us through the woods, along a lakeshore, and by the edge of a field. As we hike, we will search for signs of wildlife we may find along the way. Program free to all LBL visitors. Meet at Nature Station. Tue., Jun. 10 2pm Tales of Scales Get up close and personal with reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, salamanders, and turtles. We'll introduce you to several "ambassadors" from the cold-blooded world as we explore the fascinating ways these slimy and scaly critters survive. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Jun. 12 2pm Creature Feature: Purple Martins For hundreds of years people and purple martins have shared an intertwined history. Take an up-close look at our martin colony, learn how these voracious insect eaters depend on the kindness of strangers, and see how you can attract these birds to your yard. Program free with NS admission. Fri., Jun. 13 1:30pm Myths, Legends, & Misconceptions Find out the real stories about some of our most misunderstood wildlife such as wolves and snakes. You will have a chance to meet these creatures up close as we explore why they have gotten such bad reputations. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jun. 14 1:30pm Backyard Birding Chirp! Tweet! Caw! Ever wonder how to tell which birds are singing in your yard? Join one of the Nature Station's bird-loving staff as we stroll through the backyard in search of a variety of easy-to-learn birds. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jun. 14 7:30-9pm An Evening with Our Batty Friends Come spend a special evening discovering the magnificent but misunderstood lives of bats. We'll do some fun activities, make a bat craft, and venture out at sunset to look for bats emerging for their nightly insect hunt. Join us for a night dedicated to the world's only flying mammal! $2/$3. Evening program only. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., Jun. 15 1:30pm Father's Day Hike Celebrate your father or grandfather by bringing the whole family out for a 1-mile guided hike in the woodlands around Nature Station. Along the trail we'll look for birds and other wildlife, and trees and flowers too. Afterwards, we'll make a craft for dad inspired by our hike. Program free with NS admission. Tues., Jun. 17 10:30am Woodland Walk Let's go for a hike on one of our favorite trails! This 1-mile guided hike will take us through the woods, along a lakeshore, and by the edge of a field. As we hike, we will search for signs of wildlife we may find along the way. Program free to all LBL visitors. Meet at Nature Station. Tues., Jun. 17 2pm Pocket Full o'Possum Visit with the Nature Station's resident opossum while she enjoys chow time. Discover more about this unusual mammal that carries its babies in its pouch, "plays 'possum," and loves to eat persimmons! Program free with NS admission. Thu., Jun. 19 2pm Creature Feature: Bobcat Get a look at one of our most secretive animals, the bobcat! About 200 roam the woods of LBL, but they are rarely seen. Learn about the habits of this elusive feline as you enjoy a close look at our resident bobcat. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jun. 21 1:30pm Slithery Snakes Snakes, they make some people smile and give others the shakes. But how well do you know them beyond their scaly skin? Meet several of our resident snakes up-close as we explore their unusual lives and their creepy reputations. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Jun. 22 1:30-4pm Up a Creek: Stream Exploration Let's explore a stream for salamanders, insects, and other "creeky" critters. Learn how scientists can tell if a stream is healthy by looking at bugs. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet. *Ideal for Home Educators. $3 per person. Program only. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Tues., Jun. 24 10:30am Woodland Walk Let's go for a hike on one of our favorite trails! This 1-mile guided hike will take us through the woods, along a lakeshore, and by the edge of a field. As we hike, we will search for signs of wildlife we may find along the way. Program free to all LBL visitors. Meet at Nature Station. Tues., Jun. 24 2pm Frog Bog Join us in the Nature Station Theater for a fun exploration of all things frog! Help us put together a tree frog puzzle, meet our resident frog and toad, and join us in a musical frog pond chorus! Learn more about a frog's life cycle, frog myths, and why frogs need our help. Program free with NS admission. Thurs., Jun. 26 2pm Creature Feature: Venomous Snakes Copperheads, cottonmouths, and timber rattlesnakes all make their home here in Land Between The Lakes. During this presentation, we'll teach you how to recognize our native venomous snakes and how to share the outdoors safely with these misunderstood creatures. Then watch as we feed our live resident snakes their weekly meal. Program free with NS admission. Fri., Jun. 27 6-8:30pm Sunset Canoe Trip Enjoy the beauty of an LBL sunset as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley's scenic bays. We'll search for wildlife visiting the lake at twilight such as osprey, herons, beavers, and songbirds. Beginners are welcome! $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sat., Jun. 28 10am-4pm Nature Arts Day Join us in the backyard of the Nature Station for our popular annual event, Nature Arts Day. Discover how local artists and craftspeople use nature as inspiration in their unique creations. Visit with local artists and craftspeople as they display, demonstrate, and discuss their work. Arts and crafts will be available for purchase. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Jun. 29 1pm What's on the Grill?: Insect Hunt & Cookout What's more fun than catching live bugs in the backyard, examining dead bugs on the grill of a car, and eating hot dogs off another kind of grill? Not too much! Join us today as we discover insects both alive and dead and enjoy a tasty treat afterward. $3/$4. Includes same day NS admission. Reservations required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Fri. - Sun., Aug. 1-3 HUMMINGBIRD WEEKEND NATURE STATION Tue., Jul. 1 10:30am Woodland Walk Let's go for a hike on one of our favorite trails! This 1-mile guided hike will take us through the woods, along a lakeshore, and by the edge of a field. As we hike, we will search for signs of wildlife we may find along the way. Program free to all LBL visitors. Meet at Nature Station. Tue., Jul. 1 2pm Let's Get Snappy! Did you know that Kentucky Lake is home to a type of turtle that can weigh over 200 pounds? Visit the Nature Station as we take a closer look at our resident alligator snapping turtle, and its smaller cousin the common snapper, while they enjoy chow time. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Jul. 3 10:30am Storytime with 'Possum Bring the little ones for this unique storytime program! Your kids will love to explore the world of the opossum as we read a story about an opossum and then meet a live opossum up close. We will also make an opossum craft that your kids can take home. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Jul. 3 2pm Leave it to Beaver The beaver is one of our most important wildlife species in Land Between The Lakes. It provides habitat for wood ducks, turtles, snakes, and fish. Sit back and stay dry as we take a closer look at the role of the beaver during this indoor presentation. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Jul. 3 6:30-8:30pm Hematite Lake Trail Join the Nature Station staff for a 2-mile hike around Hematite Lake looking for wildlife and wildflowers. This time of the evening is the best time to see beavers, herons, waterfowl, and songbirds. We will end the night enjoying the sunset from Hematite Dam. Program free to all LBL visitors. Meet at Hematite Lake Trailhead. Fri., Jul. 4 1pm Truly American Animals Distinctly North American animals such as the wild turkey, red wolf, and bald eagle have played important roles in our nation's history and culture. Meet some of these truly American creatures and find out how they have helped to shape this country's identity. Program free with NS admission. Fri., Jul. 4 2:30pm Let the Turtle Race Begin! We all know that the turtle can beat the hare, but what if it was just a turtle race? Which turtle species would win? Let's stage an official turtle race and find out! Meet the competitors, learn what makes each turtle different, and vote for the one you think will win. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul. 5 11am Wildlife Viewing Tips for LBL Would you like to find out some "hot spots" for viewing wildlife in LBL? Who better to ask than the staff who work here! Attend this brief slide show to discover the best places and times to look for your favorite local wildlife. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul. 5 2pm Creature Feature: Bald Eagle Let's celebrate Independence Day weekend by taking a closer look at our national symbol, the bald eagle. Visit with our resident eagle as we share the story of this magnificent bird. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul. 5 7-9:30pm The Night Shift Who comes out at night to enjoy the delights of darkness? You do! Join us for this special after-hours program and meet some notorious nocturnal creatures such as owls and an opossum. Also, catch a glimpse of the NS animals by starlight and take part in fun activities that range from mild to wild to just plain batty! Program free with same day NS admission, or $2/$3 for evening program admission only. Last check-in at 8:30pm. Sun., Jul. 6 1:30pm Name That Tune Was that a squirrel or a bird? What sort of frog was that? Join us today as we bring back an old classic. Learn different local bird and frog songs as we compete to see who can "Name That Tune!" Program free with NS admission. Tue., Jul. 8 2pm Truly Talon-ted Enjoy face-to-face encounters with the master hunters of the bird world, the raptors! By meeting several species of owls and a hawk, you'll see first-hand how these birds use stealth, speed, and superior senses to rule the skies. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Jul. 10 2pm Creature Feature: Red Wolf The endangered red wolf - is it on the road to recovery? Take advantage of this opportunity to get a good look at this elusive predator. We will share the story of how our native southeastern wolf is fighting back from the brink of extinction. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul 12 All Day Cool & Crawly Critters Day Hey kids! Celebrate nature with an up-close-and-personal look at big bugs, slender snakes, terrific turtles, and more! Learn about the strange and unusual critters of LBL and the world from the scientists and naturalists who study everything from insects to mammals. Enjoy animal games, crafts, jokes, and lots of cool and crawly critters at the Nature Station. *Ideal for Home Educators. $3/$4. Sun., Jul. 13 1:30pm Survival of the Fittest Is that opossum dead? Do turtles hold their breath all winter long? Animals have some amazing ways of staying alive. Today we'll take a look at critters big and small and learn about their unique adaptations that help them survive. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Jul. 15 2pm Tales of Scales Get up-close-and-personal with reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, salamanders, and turtles. We'll introduce you to several "ambassadors" from the cold-blooded world as we explore the fascinating ways these slimy and scaly critters survive. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Wed., Jul. 16 6:30-9pm Moonlight Canoe Trip Enjoy the setting of the sun and the beginning of an evening under the moon as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley's scenic bays. We'll watch for shoreline wildlife such as herons and osprey as the sun goes down and then listen for others under the light of the stars and moon. $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Thu., Jul. 17 2pm Creature Feature: Barred Owl What's that owl hooting in the distance? If you live near the woods, it might well be a barred owl. Get an up-close look at our resident barred owl and discover how this secretive bird of prey survives as a hunter of the night. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul. 19 10:30-11:30am and 12-1pm Build a Bug Box Hey kids! How would you like to have your very own bug box? These handy boxes are great for holding bugs while you examine them up close. Join us as we build and paint our own bug boxes. $2 per bug box. Program only. Reservations are required because materials are limited. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., Jul. 20 pm 2 Hummingbirds for Kids Can you flap your wings as fast as a hummingbird? We'll put your skills to the test to see how good of a hummingbird you would be. Also, help us put out feeders in the gardens, watch the hummingbirds enjoy their feast, and make a craft to take home. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Jul. 22 2pm Pocket Full o'Possum Visit with the Nature Station's resident opossum while she enjoys chow time. Discover more about this unusual mammal that carries its babies in its pouch, "plays 'possum," and loves to eat persimmons! Program free with NS admission. Thu., Jul. 24 2pm Creature Feature: Alligator Snapping Turtle Wiggle! Wiggle! Chomp! People aren't the only ones in LBL who use lures to catch fish. So do alligator snapping turtles! Let's take an up-close look at our resident snappers and see why they are such good "fishermen." Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul. 26 1pm Gardening for Butterflies and Hummingbirds Would you like to attract more butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden? If so join the Nature Station staff for a tour of our gardens. We'll begin with a slide presentation on common butterflies and the ruby-throated hummingbird and then go outside for a tour of the gardens. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul. 26 7-9pm A Night with Lightning Bugs Lightning bugs, also known as fireflies, abound in the fields and meadows surrounding the Nature Station. Join us for this evening program as we make bug jars, play some games, and take a night hike to see what's lighting up the woods. $2/$3. Evening program only. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., Jul. 27 2pm Explore Earth's Bison & Buffalo Sit back, relax, and enjoy this presentation about bison and buffalo species from around the world. We'll take you on a journey to four continents as we learn about the gregarious, global relatives of our native American bison. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Jul. 29 2pm Frog Bog Join us in the Nature Station Theater for a fun exploration of all things frog! Help us put together a tree frog puzzle, meet our resident frog and toad, and join us in a musical frog pond chorus! Learn more about a frog's life cycle, frog myths, and why frogs need our help. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Jul. 31 2pm Creature Feature: Screech Owl Imagine surviving on your own in the wild if you were only 8 inches tall and weighed a quarter of a pound! Welcome to the world of the screech owl! Meet our resident screech owl and see how such a small fry can be a big winner in nature. Program free with NS admission. Fri., Aug. 1 8:30am-2:30pm Operation RubyThroat: GLOBE Hummingbird Project Training Workshop Do you watch for the first hummingbird of the season, grow plants that attract hummingbirds, or just like to watch hummingbirds at your feeders? Then the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) workshop is for you! Be a part of this exciting hummingbird study program that lets you use your hummingbird observations to assist in hummingbird research. Bill Hilton, Jr., of Operation RubyThroat, will teach you how to become certified to collect data about hummingbirds and share it with scientists, students, and other people across the GLOBE network. Workshop is recommended for ages 13 years and up. $10 per person. Includes light snacks and workshop materials. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Bring a sack lunch. Fri., Aug. 1 6-8pm Dinner with the Hummingbirds Have you ever dined out while surrounded by dozens of hummingbirds? Join Bill Hilton, Jr., Director of Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History and Operation RubyThroat, as he demonstrates the process of banding hummingbirds. Also, enjoy a tasty catered dinner as you relax amidst the backyard gardens and watch these flying jewels have a feeding frenzy of their own. $15 per person. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sat. and Sun., Aug. 2 & 3 9am-4:30pm on Sat. 10am-3pm on Sun. Hummingbird Festival If you like hummingbirds, then Nature Station is the place for you this weekend! Ruby-throated hummingbirds flock to the Nature Station in huge numbers during early August as they visit our flowers and feeders to fuel up for their amazing journey south. Join Bill Hilton, Jr., of Operation RubyThroat, as he demonstrates hummingbird banding and discusses hummingbird migration and biology. Enjoy a variety of programs, demonstrations, and activities focused on hummingbirds and other backyard wildlife and how you can help them in your own backyard. And of course, delight in watching more hummingbirds in one place than you can even count! *Ideal for Home Educators. $3/$5. Please call 270-924-2020 for more detailed information. Tue., Aug. 5 2pm Let's Get Snappy! Did you know that Kentucky Lake is home to a type of turtle that can weigh over 200 pounds? Visit the Nature Station as we take a closer look at our resident alligator snapping turtle, and its smaller cousin the common snapper, while they enjoy chow time. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Aug. 7 10:30am Storytime with Owl Bring the little ones for this unique storytime program! Your kids will love to explore the world of owls as we read a story about an owl and then meet a live owl up-close. We will also make an owl craft your kids can take home. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 9 7-8:30am Breakfast with the Hummingbirds Rise and shine hummingbird fans! Spend the morning with some great breakfast company, the hummingbirds! Enjoy a continental breakfast while we watch our tiny friends have a feeding frenzy of their own. Then sit back for a slide presentation about the lives of hummingbirds. $3/$5. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sat., Aug. 9 10:30am, 1:30pm, & 3:30pm Smokey Bear's Birthday Wish Smokey Bear a happy 64th birthday as he makes special appearances on his birthday at the Nature Station. Bring the kids and your camera for some great photo opportunities with Smokey. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Aug. 10 1:30pm Back from the Brink Did you know the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list last year? Join this tour featuring critters that have journeyed "back from the brink" of extinction, such as the bald eagle, white-tailed deer, red wolves, and more. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Aug. 12 2pm Truly Talon-ted Enjoy face-to-face encounters with the master hunters of the bird world, the raptors! By meeting several species of owls and a hawk, you'll see first-hand how these birds use stealth, speed, and superior senses to rule the skies. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Aug. 14 2pm Creature Feature: Bobcat Get a look at one of our most secretive animals, the bobcat! About 200 roam the woods of LBL, but they are rarely seen. Learn about the habits of this elusive feline as you enjoy a close look at our resident bobcat. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 16 1:30pm Climate Change Right Here at Home Is it hot out here or is it just me? We have all heard about how climate change affects wildlife in the Arctic, but what about wildlife right here at home? Sit back in the cool comforts of our theater and find out how rising temperatures are affecting our local wildlife during this informative presentation. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Aug. 17 1:30pm Flight of the Hummingbird Catch up with the hummingbirds as they make their migration to Central America. Join us for an indoor presentation about how these tiny fliers survive such a big journey and how we can help them. Then spend some time viewing these "ruby gems" as they buzz around the backyard. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Aug. 19 2pm Tales of Scales Get up-close and personal with reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, salamanders, and turtles. We'll introduce you to several "ambassadors" from the cold-blooded world as we explore the fascinating ways these slimy and scaly critters survive. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Aug. 21 2pm Creature Feature: Red-Tailed Hawk Meet the Nature Station's resident hawk, the red-tail. Discover why the red-tail has become the most successful hawk in the Eastern United States. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 23 1:30pm New to the Neighborhood: Wildlife on the Move What was that? I've never seen that before! Armadillos, coyotes, and pelicans are becoming more common to Land Between The Lakes. Get the scoop on these and other critters that are "new to the neighborhood" during this presentation. Program free with HP admission. Sat., Aug. 23 5:30-8pm Sunset Canoe Trip Enjoy the beauty of an LBL sunset as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley's scenic bays. We'll search for wildlife visiting the lake at twilight such as osprey, herons, beavers, and songbirds. Beginners are welcome! $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., Aug. 24 1:30pm Slithery Snakes Snakes - they make some people smile and give others the shakes. But how well do you know them beyond their scaly skin? Meet several of our resident snakes up close as we explore their unusual lives and their creepy reputations. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Aug. 26 2pm Pocket Full o'Possum Visit with the Nature Station's resident opossum while she enjoys chow time. Discover more about this unusual mammal that carries its babies in its pouch, "plays 'possum," and loves to eat persimmons! Program free with NS admission. Thu., Aug. 28 2pm Creature Feature: Red Wolf The endangered red wolf - is it on the road to recovery? Take advantage of this opportunity to get a good look at this elusive predator. We will share the story of how our native southeastern wolf is fighting back from the brink of extinction. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 30 - Mon., Sep. 1 Summer Finale Spend a fun-filled weekend enjoying a slew of summertime activities with the Nature Station and The Homeplace. Join the Nature Station for some wet 'n' wild nature games, canoeing on the lake, making s'mores over a campfire, and more! Visit The Homeplace for storytelling, an old-fashioned traveling medicine show, and children's leisure activities from the 19th century. Let's make the most of the last official weekend of summer. Sat., Aug. 30 2pm Throughout the Day Smokey Bear Smokey will be making appearances throughout the day. Bring the kids to meet Smokey and pose for some great pictures! Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 30 1:30pm Wet & Wacky Games Learn about pond animals as we play some active water games with a nature twist. Make sure you are dressed to get wet. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 30 3pm Watermelon Feast Enjoy mouth-watering slices of watermelon on the last weekend of summer. When you finish, we'll test our seed-spitting skills. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Aug. 30 5:30-8pm Sunset Canoe Trip Enjoy the beauty of an LBL sunset as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley's scenic bays. We'll search for wildlife visiting the lake at twilight such as osprey, herons, beavers, and songbirds. Beginners are welcome! $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., Aug. 31 11am-1pm Kids' Craft We're hauling out our arts and crafts supplies, so stop by anytime between 11am and 1pm to get creative with us! We'll make a simple beaver craft you can take home. No artistic talent is required. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Aug. 31 1-3:30pm Pond Prowl What lives in a pond besides fish? Let's find out! We'll use nets and magnifiers to explore a pond and search for critters like crayfish, dragonflies, turtles, and tadpoles. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet and muddy. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Limited to first 30 people. Register at NS front desk that day. Sun., Aug. 31 1:30pm Build a Beaver Find out how busy little beavers are uniquely adapted to living in freshwater wetlands. We'll make use of group volunteers as we build an imaginary beaver and discover how this animal plays an important role in the ecosystem. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Aug. 31 7-9pm Kids Campfire Bring your chairs and blankets and join us around the fire. We invite you to bring the kids for an evening filled with stories, s'mores, songs, and skits. We might get a little loud hooting and howling before the night is out! $2/$3. Evening program only. Limited to 50 participants. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Check-in will be from 6:30-6:50pm. Mon., Sep. 1 11am Puppet Playhouse Hey kids! We're going on a puppet show safari in our theater to see what kinds of animals we will meet. Join us as our wild friends teach us how to take care of ponds and respect the animals that live there. Program free with NS admission. Mon., Sep. 1 1:30pm Totally Turtles - Turtles are fascinating! We'll take a look at some of LBL's more common and unusual species. At feeding time, we'll get a closer look at two of the largest species found in this region, the common and alligator snapping turtles. Program free with NS admission.