![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/default_images/explorer_default_image.png?itok=LDZH-AvC)
North Country explorer from
Last Friday afternoon allowed me a few minutes to walk the Kip Trail at St. Lawrence University out to the marsh deck and snap a few photos. I was fortunate to run into interns of Nature Up North who reminded me to get an encounter posted (thank you, interns!). The initial stretch of the Kip Trail features a number of different microhabitats (field, marsh, river, scrub, pine, and deciduous forest), so there is a nice diversity of flora and fauna to observe. Birdlife was vocal with many signs of breeding activity - singing, agitation, carrying food, etc. Among the approximately two-dozen species observed were Wood Duck (with recently fledged young), Yellow-throated Vireo, Least Flycatcher, Common Raven, Sparrows (Swamp, Song, and White-Throated) and Warblers (Black-and-white, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, American Redstart, and Common Yellowthroat). There were many dragonflies and butterflies and upon return to the parking area found an Eastern Painted Turtle catching some rays. Not a bad way to spend 20 minutes...!
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/image_carousel_landscape/public/Common%20Yellowthroat%20Male.jpg?itok=g_8czQVC)
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/image_carousel_portrait/public/Aphid%20on%20Grasses.jpg?itok=PkLUSN6n)
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/image_carousel_landscape/public/Eastern%20Painted%20Turtle.jpg?itok=tfLdovc9)
Common Yellowthroat Male
Aphid on Grasses
Eastern Painted Turtle
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/Common%20Yellowthroat%20Male.jpg?itok=QTb-nQmS)
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/Aphid%20on%20Grasses.jpg?itok=GTW7wYpU)
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/Eastern%20Painted%20Turtle.jpg?itok=y19Iflkh)
Comments
Vicki Gould
Nice catch. I'm not been lucky enough to get a shot of anything on that trail, we did see a group of about 8-10 turtles on a log, but I was not quick enough, or close enough to get a shot before they all dove into the water.
Maybe next time.
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