Westmoreland Conservancy marks winter solstice with nature hike in Murrysville

Technically speaking, “Tuesday night” began at 4:57 p.m.

That was the official time for sundown at the winter solstice — the official start to winter, and the shortest amount of daytime sunlight the region will see in 2021.

About 15 participants in the Westmoreland Conservancy’s Winter Solstice Walk, held Tuesday afternoon at its Morosini Nature Reserve in Murrysville, had a great view of that extra-early sundown as it colored a bank of streaking clouds of deep pinks, reds and oranges.

“We’ve come out here a couple times for different events,” said Robin Kapusta of Slickville, who brought daughters Avery Kapusta-Nelson, 10, and Tristan Kapusta-Nelson, 2, along for the hike. “We try to get outside all the time. And with Avery being home-schooled, this is a great place to come for a walk — and it’s a nice short one that Tristan won’t get too tired on.”

Both Tristan and Avery spent a good deal of the walk keeping their eyes peeled for the “fairy houses” that Westmoreland Conservancy Executive Director Shelly Tichy has placed along the sides of the trail. The tiny house sculptures feature a good deal of earth tones, and it can take a sharp eye to catch them.

“I really like coming down to the pond,” Avery said of the small Morosini Pond.

Future plans for the reserve include a switchback trail making the pond more accessible for those with disabilities, along with an overlook facing west toward a large meadow that sees a lot of wildlife activity. Conservancy officials are also working with a local beekeeper to bring 37 beehives to a flat spot inside the reserve, where it will be fenced off and serve as a location for educational programs about the bees.

Carole Walters and her husband Ray, of Level Green, are regulars at the reserve.

Carole had her camera at the ready, snapping photos of wildlife as well as the solstice sunset.

“We’re out here all the time,” Carole said. “We come here in the winter, and I think it’s actually easier to get photos, and it’s prettier, with the snow and everything.”

Ray Walters said the couple enjoys the wide range of options they have for winter recreation.

“We go all over, to Duff Park (in Murrysville), Bushy Run (in Penn Township), and there’s a really neat pet cemetery at the Ackermann Nature Reserve (in North Huntingdon).”

Tichy said the Morosini Reserve is open year-round. She was quick to point out that even with winter officially setting in, there’s still a lot to see along the trail.

“There’s beauty no matter what time of year you come out here,” she said.