The permanent St. Lawrence Orienteering Course officially launched Friday, November 3rd! The course begins at the Wachtmeister Field Station, near the Kip Trail, and highlights some of the interesting geologic features in the surrounding forest. Thanks to everyone who came out to test the course, despite wetter than wanted conditions. We enjoyed seeing students and community members share map and compass skills and bond over a shared appreciation for time spent out wandering the woods.

Had a pleasant evening time alone with a pair of beavers in the Upper and Lower Lakes WMA area in Canton. The beavers were diving to the pond bottom to pull up what I believe were the tubers of water lily plants and were then munching them while floating on the pond surface. The beavers had absolutely no concerns about my presence and so I was able to take many photos of them. A beautiful sunset enhanced the experience.

Thought that was awfully big for a beaver:)

Had a great time exploring the Downerville State Forest trails with a friend (and a few pups) this past weekend. The weather continues to be unseasonably warm, but we weren't complaining and the dogs enjoyed splashing around in Harper's Falls. The beech leaves are still hanging on, but most of the others have fallen by now and the open forest was a beautiful sight.

This was the third week of this year's Fall Trails Series, and the group spent a beautiful afternoon exploring the St. Lawrence University Kip Trail. We also talked about the Community Ash Tree Survey - a local effort in response to the arrival of emerald ash borer - and mapped some of the many ash trees on the trail. As a bonus, we spied a porcupine in a large red oak along the way!

We went here to see the fall foliage. The leaves were beautiful and really added to the views on the lake. There were a lot of frogs and quite a few snakes. Most of the snakes were less than a foot (including a green snake!) but they were all too fast to take pictures of. At one point you literally have to climb over a beaver dam so be careful. Very nice day hike.

I spent this Sunday afternoon visiting the cascades along Tooley Pond Road before hiking the Tooley Pond Mountain loop. The afternoon was gray, but the brightly colored leaves along the banks of the Grasse River more than made up for it. No surprise that this is a popular place for "leaf peepers"! Seems to be a popular place for wildlife too - a black bear rambled across the road in front of me and another visitor mentioned seeing one in the area the day before.

We found a wealth of pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea) on a recent hike to Moon Lake, in the Wolf Lake state forest in Hermon. I don't know that they are particularly rare, but I have seen more of them this summer than any other time. These were on a bog like point and there were quite a few "patches" to be seen.

We were greeted by a shower of bright reds and golds at Lampson Falls today on a Nature Up North hike with St. Lawrence families for Family Weekend. The group also spotted a few downy woodpeckers above the falls. Despite overcast weather, it was a beautiful afternoon!

Tons of Painted Ladies! Once I got closer a variety of bees (some of which my be types of flies?) At least 6 distinct buzzing insects. And one Monarch.