Get more acquainted with one of the most advanced families on earth, the orchids! Deborah White from the Kentucky Nature Preserves will present a program on orchids that is sure to be enjoyable and informative. Please join us.

PHOTO CONTEST: ORCHIDS OF KYANA

Our primary goal will be to find, admire and photograph wild orchids in Jefferson County. There should also be other late Spring wildflowers in bloom. We can do some birding as well. Meet at the Jefferson County Memorial Forest Welcome Center on Mitchell Hill Road at 9:30 AM. Early risers are welcome to join Margie and Ken Conard for breakfast at Jessie's Family Restaurant at 8:00 AM. (on Dixie Hwy. just North of Meijers. Welcome Center: Gene Snyder Freeway West, New Cut Rd. exit, turn left. After traveling @ one mile, turn right on to Mitchell Hill Rd. at yellow flashing light and follow this road @ two miles. Welcome Center is on the left.

RECAP-APRIL MEETING: Mary Clark Coty gave a program on medicinal plants and the Do's and Don'ts of Herbal Medicine. She also included good information on reference and research materials.

APRIL ACTIVITY: Seven members made the trip to Sally Brown Nature preserve and were treated to an outstanding array of wildflowers as well as a beautiful view of the palisades at Bowman's Bend on the Kentucky River. Small patches of blue-eyed mary, saxif rage, rock cress mingled with lavish expanses of rue and false rue anemone on the higher elevations. The woods along the river were still covered with celandine poppy, bent trillium (both red and white) and an immense wooded embankment of Virginia bluebells.

KSNH SPRING CONFERENCE RE-CAP: Hats of f to our president Wally Roberts f or a great Spring Conference at Carter Caves State Resort Park. Activities included wildflower and geology hikes, canoe trips, cave tours and an early morning bird walk. The 51 registered participants were also rewarded with super programs on Friday and Saturday evenings. Many thanks to all attendees, activity leaders, meeting coordinators and to John Tierney, Fred Busroe and Jim Harrison for their programs. Specific coverage of the events of this weekend will be included in your next quarterly newsletter, Kentucky Naturalist News!

lst Place: John Smithers
2nd Place: Marshall Johnson
3rd Place: Marshall Johnson
Hon.Ment.: (2)Glen Warren and John Smithers

THE MAY SKY:  Venus and Mars are bright evening stars this month, Venus at its greatest height at sunset, Mars in SE and SSE., close to Spica. New Moon May 15, Full Moon Sun. May 30. On Friday evening, May 21, Regulus (the brightest star in Leo) will be eclipsed by the leading dark edge of the moon and reappear at its bright edge, (@ 11:30 PM-12:15 AM).

This beginner's guide to 50 common birds also includes an audio compact disc. It is the first in a projected series by Lang Elliott who has done a variety of audio guides to wildlife sounds. Each entry has a habitat description, a range map, and also pays particular attention to the "voice" of the bird described. Color photos of each of the birds featured completes the two-page spread. Both the f act that the audio sounds seem to have a bit more personality than usual and the compact size make this a book to recommend.
You can order this book from K.S.N.H. through our nature bookstore.