As part of my summer campaign to explore the Hudson Valley region (read: to avoid working on manuscripts/cursing at R), I recently bought an annual membership to Mohonk Preserve. The preserve is just outside of the town of New Paltz, only about 45 minutes away from Poughkeepsie, and has miles of hiking trails with some amazing views of the surrounding landscape.

Trips to Mohonk and the nearby Minnewaska State Park also provide me with the opportunity to meet some of my New York neighbors, like this slightly suspicious Eastern Red-Spotted Newt:

and this iridescent Six-Spotted Tiger Beetle:

I particularly enjoy Mohonk because, unlike Shenandoah National Park or the Vassar College Farm, I have never gotten any ticks there. On a recent visit, I also hiked around Mohonk Mountain House, a gorgeous hotel perched atop a mountain lake that is, unfortunately, only accessible to the ultra-wealthy guests who sojourn there.

It was on the way back down that I saw another instance of landscape osteology everywhere, akin to the sighting at Storm King (though this time not anthropogenic): superior and inferior iliac spines masquerading as hilltops:

Need a closer look?

I hope that you’re able to spot some orogenic osteology of your own this summer!