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!
Green Frog
As I was walking on the Saddlemire trail I noticed this green frog hanging out in the grass in the middle of the trail. It wasn't at all startled by my close up photo!
Snake with lunch.
The Photography Club at the Nicandri Nature Center meets monthly, and when we were walking a part of the trail quite close to the Center in mid-July, we came upon this scene. The frog was still alive, and the snake was busily digesting as much as possible so it could slither off to enjoy the rest of its meal. In the meantime, we were able to get some pretty good shots. Although this is nature, it was still difficult to watch.
Goldenrod Was Framed
Please don’t blame late-season allergies on goldenrod. Well, not unless you’ve discovered bees going up your nose lately. It turns out that pollen from goldenrod, which is in glorious bloom throughout the region right now, is too heavy to waft on the wind. These plants rely on bees and other pollinators to convey their sticky pollen grains from one flower to another, which is why goldenrods don’t cause hay fever, even if they wanted to.
Nature Walk - Indian Creek Nature Center
Recently, the DEC built a new observation platform for Indian Creek Nature Center (ICNC) in Rensselaer Falls, and we're going to go check it out!
Join Dan French on a nature walk to the observation platform on the Boardwalk Trail. This is a flat, one-mile round-trip trail that features a boardwalk through the marsh, woodland environment, and an outlook onto the marsh! We'll look and listen for all varieties of wildlife along this walk and enjoy the beginning of the fall season.
Community Campfire - Game Camera Sneak Peak!
Come hang out with Nature Up North by the fire on a Saturday evening! As the weather starts to cool and the bugs subside, a campfire is a perfect way to enjoy a North Country night. Head to the Wachtmeister Field Station between 6-8 to enjoy the fire, company, and s'mores!
Community Campfire!
Come hang out with Nature Up North by the fire on a Saturday evening! As the weather starts to cool and the bugs subside, a campfire is a perfect way to enjoy a North Country night. Head to the Wachtmeister Field Station between 6-8 to enjoy the fire, company, and s'mores!
When hobbies intersect: Radio and Wilderness
Are you looking to spend more time in the backcountry? While spending days or weeks away from civilization is a great adventure, you may have some worries about safety. Garmin in reach and other devices allow for backcountry communication but come with a large price tag. Still, there is something else that allows for 2 way communication and is a fraction of the price. It's traveling through the air all around us. Invisible to the eye, but giving some the ability to communicate at the speed of light.
Jen's visit with the snapping turtle.
The heavy rains left over from hurricane Debbie had not raised the level of the Oswegatchie yet, but it did create multiple frog puddles over the lawns of neighborhood yards.
While out looking for the frogs, Jen saw a turtle break the surface, so as it didn't seem to care we where there, she got closer to view it.
Just after this photo, it walked over to her, and bumped her get a few times while leaving against her fur a few minutes before we all departed ways.
Bat!
Walking in to work and spotted this little guy crawling across the sidewalk around 8am. Came back with an oven mitt to move him and found him climbing the tree. Came back around noon and found him still between the first branches sleeping. My buddy guess is Large Brown Bat. No obvious signs of white nose syndrome.
Crayfish Crawl in Eel Weir State Park
Join us Sunday, September 15th at Eel Weir State Park to learn about and interact with our Native St. Lawrence County Crayfish. The event will be from 3:30- 5:00, and we will cover admission to the park for anyone who arrives before 3:20. Water shoes and a Bathing Suit recommended but not required. We hope to see you all there!