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!
Pileated Woodpecker at North Country Library System
The administrative office of the North Country Library System is on the Black River, and is set on a large plot of land that includes a grove of old, mixed trees as well as an open field and a small wooded clearing. I go out during my lunch most days, and see all sorts of wildlife. This was an incredibly lucky moment: I heard something hit my window, and I ran to the back door to make sure there wasn’t an injured bird on the ground. While I was looking, this woodpecker flew across the property and landed on the tree closest to the door.
Rabbit Den on SLU's Campus
A photo shared with me by a student on campus of some rabbit kits in their den. Facilities later came by and filled the hole, presumably after relocating the family.
Certified Interpretive Guide Training
Nature Up North is excited to announce that we're hosting a Certified Interpretive Guide Training!
Critters of the Earth Day 7k
While at the Earth Day 7k this year I took advantage of the bird feeder at the Wachtmeister Field Station to snap some photos of visitors to the feeder! This included a number of Purple Finches, a Hairy Woodpecker, and a curious chipmunk. Bird feeders can be a great way to know what species are in the area, learn more about their behavior, and hone your identification skills.
Test Project: Northern NY Vernal Pool Watch
This is a fake project for testing purposes. Each spring, temporary wetlands known as vernal pools come alive with the activity of frogs, salamanders, and fairy shrimp. These seasonal habitats are critical for many amphibians, but because they are often small and short-lived, they can be easily overlooked and are vulnerable to development. The Northern NY Vernal Pool Watch invites community members to help document the locations and health of these important ecosystems across St. Lawrence County and the surrounding North Country region.
9th Annual Earth Day 7K Recap!
The weather tried to stop us, but we are thrilled with the turnout to this year's 9th Annual Earth Day 7k! Despite the rain, more than 30 community members helped to raise over $600 for environmental programming. The North Country community demonstrated what generosity, grit, and passion look like this past Saturday. With the course starting on the muddied Kip Trail shoe laces were tested as the mud grabbed at our runners and walkers.
Grebe at Lower Lake
A pied billed grebe was closer than most of the other birds on this morning, so it became my main photo subject.
Lower lake from the berm ( near the metal observation tower ).
Lower Lake morning arrives.
I woke up early and heard the loons calling from Lower Lake at Upper and Lower Lake WMA.
I decided to head over to watch the sun come up, most of the birds ( and muskrat ) were off in the distance, but it was still well worth the visit to see the colors change before the Sun actually made it's appearance.
Why did the salamander cross the road?
This may seem like the start of a joke (to get to the other side, right?) but it actually has a serious answer and some complex systems at play.
Plant a Tree, or Rent It?
Planting a tree isn’t rocket science, which is good. If it were that complex, I’d wager we’d have a lot fewer trees around. It may not take a genius to plant a tree correctly, but a lot of money is wasted each year to buy and install trees which may as well be rented, because they will only live a fraction of their potential lifespan.