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!
Frogs and Salamanders Spotted on the Kip Trail
During the Herpetology class's lab period, I spotted two-redbacked salamanders under the same log, one red-backed salamander 5 m from those two, one leadback salamander under a different log, and one red spotted newt under a log. The class collectively heard spring peepers and caught this wood frog in a minnow trap! This all occurred between 1-4 on a rainy and relatively cold, spring day and all herps were found along the Kip Trail near St. Lawrence University. Here are some photos to help!
Pussy willow catkins
On the search for signs of spring, I stopped in the rain to get a closer look at this lovely pussy willow (Salix discolor) flowering outside Johnson Hall of Science at St. Lawrence University. The fussy flowers are called catkins, and appear on many species in the trees in the birch (Betulaceae) and willow (Salicaceae) families.
Wood frogs by the Little River
I went on a walk down by the Little River and heard lots of wood frogs and spring peepers. I saw many of the wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) in a marshy area, and I tried to follow the sound of a few peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) but sadly never set eyes on any.
Spring peepers and wood frogs!
First night that I heard spring peepers, so I headed over to one of the wetlands on the SLU campus adjacent to the little river. I can't post the audio, but I could hear spring peepers and the occasional woodfrog (of which there may have been quite a few, but they were harder to hear over the roar of the peepers). You can clearly see that there is still a good deal of ice in the water. Spring is HERE!
Common Loon Presentation at the View
Dr. Nina Schoch from the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation will be presenting an overview of Common Loon history in the Adirondacks at the View (3273 NY-28, Old Forge, NY 13420) on July 15, 2019 at 7:00pm as part of View’s Eco Gallery Lecture Series. Dr. Schoch will also speak about the positive work the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is doing for the Adirondack Park and surrounding areas. This presentation is free to the public.
Common Loon Presentation at Adirondack Interpretive Center
Dr. Nina Schoch from the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation will be presenting an overview of Common Loon history in the Adirondacks at the Adirondack Interpretive Center (5922 NY-28N, Newcomb, NY 12852) on July 11, 2019 at 7:00pm. Dr. Schoch will also speak about the positive work the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is doing for the Adirondack Park and surrounding areas. This presentation is free to the public. Please contact us at 518-354-8636 or email info@adkloon.org if you have any questions about this presentation.
Plenty of snow on Mt. Marcy
Still lots of snow left up high, we measured about 6 feet a mile below the summit. The trail signs are only a foot or two off the ground. Pretty good for April.
Early Spring Walk at Stone Valley
We found high water and icy trails at Stone Valley this weekend. It made for slow walking but beautiful views along the way. The last photo is of porcupine chew on a birch tree, both from this winter and a previous winter.
Earth Fest 2019
Join St. Lawrence students on the Java Quad (outside the Student Center) to celebrate Earth Day! There will be live music, grilling, tie-dye, tree planting, and much love for our mother Earth. Bring your own whites to tie-dye or check out our selection, donate to the Adirondack Land Trust for a sticker or iron on patches, check out our lawn games, and plant a sugar maple! This event is free and open to the community.
Still vernal pool
A still and quiet vernal pool. Tonights rain may bring out the frogs and salamanders to breed in this nursery