What's Your Nature?
Become a Nature Up North explorer to share your encounters with wild things and wild places in New York's North Country. Post your wildlife sightings, landscape shots, photos from your outings, and even your organization's events!
Encounters
Walking through the woods and came across the site sign of Spring...pussywillows!
At the falls I noticed this limb in the water with these beautiful and unique icicles hanging off from it. The sunlight and water were reflecting from them just gorgeous and it reminded me of a chandelier!
When going out on the back porch of my townhouse last night on St. Lawrence University campus, I saw this Jefferson salamander! I believe this is a Jefferson salamander, but it has been a while since I took herpetology here at SLU.
As the sun went down, and I walked towards the golf course at SLU, the sound of spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) filled the air! Following their sound and the light of my flashlight, I eventually found one of the tiny frogs in a vernal pool. Herping season is here!
With a fresh layer of snow, the woods and fields lay under a blanket of white. This blanket muffles and hides the subtleties of the woods leading the mind to wonder what critters scurry below the layers of snow. Above the snow the trees stand tall awaiting the spring to waken and continue their growth into the sky. But for today, a sun sets on another beautiful winters day.
I was walking on the Kip Tract Trail in the evening and was lucky enough to see a beautiful owl! I don't know what species it was.
A fellow classmate and I had a joyous time skiing around the St. Lawrence University Golf Course, sticking to the track for a while until we came upon a wooded area we wanted to explore, where we broke trail, took a quick nap on a log, and appreciated the serenity of it all. I love mixing up some speedy track skiing with slowing down and appreciating the way the snow settles on the trees or how the giant, fluffy flakes puff up around me when I fall.
It was a beautiful day for an adventure! The 20°F weather felt unusually warm in the sun after all of the cold temps we have had. I snowshoed from Rt. 47 along the Grasse River to the hydro plant and back. The snow depth was quite variable and had drifted up to knee-height in places. Snowshoes were helpful but the snow was too dry to stay on top of it. Gaiters would be a nice addition next time.
I was walking on the Saddlemire Trail this evening and saw these little trails under the snow. I thought they were so fascinating, and am wondering what creature is responsible for them! My best guess would be some small rodent, like mice or voles.
