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!
Deer in daylight
This deer had turned the Permaculture Garden at St. Lawrence University into her home for weeks by the time this picture was taken. She had become a nuisance - ravaging crop left unprotected. On this particular day, she was munching on some apple tree leaves. About a week later, I spotted her hiding in the tall grass in the garden with new twin fawns.
Indian Creek Fall Bird Walk
We will meet at 8:00AM in the parking lot at the main entrance. Please dress for the weather and be prepared for potentially muddy trails by wearing good walking shoes and prepared for mosquitoes with repellant. We expect to find fall songbird, raptor, and waterfowl migrants passing through on their way to wintering in the southern US and Latin America, as well as resident species that are found at Indian Creek year-round. Bring binoculars, or we have a few to loan for the walk. If you plan to attend, email: eiwheeler@yahoo.com.
Echoes of the Canton Fair
Come to the Wachtmeister Field Station for Echoes of the Canton Fair, a history of the agricultural fair held at the now defunct Canton fairgrounds located on Riverside Drive. Led by Canton Historian Casey Denis and St. Lawrence County Historian Nancy LaFaver, this "Fireside Chat" comes with s'mores!
Geology and a painted turtle at Stone Valley Trail
My latest trail discovery is the Stone Valley Trail! These pictures are from my second hike there. I came across a painted turtle perched on a steep part of the side of the trail. I'm not sure where its destination was, but it wasn't on the trail anymore when I walked past on my way out.
I also spent some time sitting on a log watching the waterfall and "the tubs." According to a trail sign, the tubs are potholes that have formed as a result of a swirling current with pebbles and sand mixed in that abrade the rock.
Porcupine on Saddlemire Trail!
While walking along the Saddlemire Trail, I spotted a strange shape rustling in the bushes near the end of the path. As I neared, I noticed that it was covered in quills. I had never seen a porcupine in the wild before, so it was a very surprising sight. I observed from a distance, not wanting to spook the animal. The porcupine did not move, caught up in its own little world. Eventually, I needed to continue on the trail, so I cautiously walked forward. Only then did the porcupine finally notice me, shuffling back into the brush it had come from.
The Forgotten History of New York's Firetowers
It feels like every other week this past summer there is a heat advisory for air quality. With all the smoke rolling across our skies this past summer it leaves us wondering where is it burning? And why isn’t it burning here?
The Language of Birds with Joe Longshore
Don't miss this chance to experience a talk from Indian Creek's newest board member, Joe Longshore, on bird language!
For twenty years, Joe has taught wilderness survival, nature awareness and bird language locally and in classes as far away as California. He was first introduced to bird language over 25 years ago while studying with world-renowned naturalist Tom Brown Jr.
Joe's talk will be located under the pavilion at the Center on Saturday, September 20th at 10:00am, rain or shine. We hope to see you there!
Sampling at Hart's Falls
These are a couple of photos from our event with the St. Lawrence Land Trust earlier this month. We collected water samples from Hart's Falls and were looking for different fish species. We ended up catching quite a few shiners by trawling the shoreline, but no big fish. We also managed to catch plenty of frogs and macroinvertebrates from the shallows above the falls.