On Sunday, Lori and I donated blood in support of wildlife at the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve in West Danby. Specifically, we gave generously to mosquitoes and deer flies at what was apparently Biting Insect Regional Headquarters. Aside from that, it was a nice walk along trails mostly through the woods giving respite from the hot sun.

The woods are particularly attractive hardwoods over hilly terrain shaped by the glaciers with the trickle of Cayuga Inlet meandering through it. The Preserve earns the “Biodiversity” part of its name with a profusion of trees, shrubs, ferns, and wildflowers, including a few we hadn’t come across before. We’ll be exploring this gem, only a few minutes drive from our home, many times as the seasons progress. In future summer visits, we’ll be bringing either transfusions or DEET to contend with the natives.