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Seasons And Holiday Joys May Be Tied Together

Many of our holidays seem tightly tied to season. Whether their origins are based on the cycles of the natural world or religion or history, they at least seem to “fit in” with the time of year. I write this article on Valentine’s Day. A day that seems to be more tied to commercialism than any natural event or cycle. It seems odd for a holiday about affection and love to be celebrated in the dead of winter. But as I was reminded by a friend earlier in the week, it may be quite fitting. Even on what may be one of the coldest and snowiest day this winter, love is in the air. ...

While It May Seem Early, Wood Frogs Rush The Season

It may seem a bit early to be listening for frogs, but wood frogs rush the season. They emerge from beneath forest leaf litter in late winter, and as soon as the ice melts, they sing. A wood frog’s voice is hardly frog-like. One field guide describes a wood frog chorus as sounding, “like a flock of quacking mallards.” The Frogs and Toads of North America (2009) describes the sound as, “ducklike cackling.” Readers can decide for themselves. Step outside and listen. If there’s a woodland vernal pool or puddle nearby, you just might hear a peculiar quacking sound. Wood frogs ...

Early Signs Of Spring Bring Anticipation

Early signs of spring put smiles of anticipation on the faces of nature lovers. Longer days, warmer temperatures, and lawns slowly turning from brown to green are hard to miss. But the very first harbingers of spring are more subtle. If your daily travels take you along a stream that meanders through a wet meadow, watch for skunk cabbage as it begins to grow. My first memories of skunk cabbage date back to riding the school bus many years ago. Every day we passed a small wetland, and about this time of year, I noticed curious plants growing through the snow. My dad congratulated me ...

Uniquely Attracted

Recently, many people have become aware of the issues that our pollinating insects face. Insects have been in a general decline for some time now, which is worrisome as they help prop up the food chains that support just about everything else on the planet. There are over 400 species of native bee just in New York state alone, each with an important role in the food web. Other critters — flies, beetles, butterflies, birds, etc. — are important pollinators as well. A critical pollinator that often gets overlooked is the majestic and glorious bat. While all bat species in NYS and ...

Deer Are Simultaneously Amazing And Destructive

There is something magical about seeing deer, especially with a group of children. Perhaps it is because they are so large compared to other animals likely to be seen. A deer sprinting away through the forest, leaping high with its white tail wagging, is inherently more impressive than the ...

How Wildlife Escape The Worst Winter Has To Offer

In temperate areas, late January usually brings the coldest weather of the year. When temperatures plunge below zero as they do some winters, wildlife must adapt to survive extreme weather conditions. Fish, for example, simply slow down and use less energy. Many birds migrate. And some species just go about their business and sleep through the coldest days. A few animals, however, hibernate. Protected by layers of fat and/or a cozy den below the frost line, hibernators are oblivious to sub-zero temperatures, wind, snow, and ice. They just sleep through winter’s ...