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!
Our 2026 Community Calendar is Here!
Proceeds from calendar sales benefit Nature Up North's community outreach initiatives. Each year, Nature Up North reaches thousands of local residents through guided hikes, paddles, workshops, and K-12 programs. Thanks for your support!
Ask A Fairy: Fall 2025 Answers
Thimble and Blossom let us know that they loved all of the nature questions you had for them this year, and loved the fairy drawings some folks left behind! Despite the dry conditions this summer, the rain this fall made for a beautiful fall foliage season and made it possible for Thimble and Blossom to stick around into November. They had to head south in search of warmer climates for the winter, but before they left, they took a moment to write their answers to your questions down and share them with us!
Cedar Waxwing in hoar frosted branches
It was a frosty and foggy morning when I spotted a group of cedar waxwings up high in the branches.
Otter Tales
There is always something to see here, sometimes it is difficult to get chores done. While in the kitchen getting ready to start dinner, I spotted an otter on the ice. I walked down to the lake quietly. The river otter noticed me and seemed curious. Going under the ice and popping up several times. My first river otter on Black Lake! I have been looking since I have been here.
Be Nice to Spiders - For Your Own Good
Note: The photo above is of a marbled orbweaver, a spider not featured in this article. Photo Credits: Troy Parla
The Science of Apples
Fall in the North Country doesn’t feel complete without a trip to the orchard and the taste of an apple freshly picked off the tree. Now that the season of apple picking is over, it's a good time to reflect on the months of growth and hard work that have made this year’s season possible. As we know, every fall farms across the country rush to pick their apples at the perfect time. The time when the apples just ripen in the cool air and before the first frost hits.
High energy night
I walked the yard again last night during the Aurora and unfortunately as the light display became stronger the moon started to rise and clouds set in.
4 deer just laid in the tall grass and watched me as I walked back and forth taking pictures while owls and coyotes provided a perfect soundtrack during my time outside.
I am hoping for a clear night tonight for what is expected to be an even stronger event.
Evening Grosbeak
I heard the flight calls of evening grosbeaks and started walking towards the sound. I was lucky to spot this one on top of a spruce tree looking right at me!
Northern lights!
The sky put on a brilliant show tonight! The Northern Lights were very strong over the SLU campus tonight. I went to the golf course where there's less light pollution and was just in time to see the build up and peak of the colors. This is the second fall season in a row that I've been able to see the Northern Lights at SLU! A truly special encounter.
Cyanotype Workshop - Close the loop x LIGHT house x Nature Up North
We’re so excited to invite you to a creative afternoon with The LIGHT House, Close the Loop, and Nature Up North where art, sustainability, and community come together!
Wait… but what is cyanotypeeee?? 👀
Cyanotype is a magical photographic printing process that uses sunlight to make stunning blue-and-white prints! 💙☀️ And don’t worry, even though winter’s stealing our sunlight, our friends from Close the Loop are bringing sun lamps so the magic still happens.