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Winter Cacti Are Hard To Name But Easy To Grow

Years ago, I had one of those spineless cacti that once a year splash colorful flowers out the ends of their flat, arching stems. Such plants are usually named for when they are supposed to bloom: Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter cactii. I just call them “holiday” cacti because they rarely bloom on their assigned holidays unless given a lot of manipulation. Besides, the botanical names for these cacti keep getting changed. What’s usually called Thanksgiving cactus (botanically Schlumbergera truncata, if you must know) has sharply pointed but soft to the touch teeth along ...

This Fungi I Know…

‘Tis the season of death, or at least a long rest, in nature. The trees are bare, the grass has stopped growing, and the stems of plants brown, shriveled, and lifeless. Many in New York state find the season dreary and mundane. Yet we are all guilty of not realizing how important this time ...

Walking In A Winter Watershed

The holidays can be a fun and joyful time, but for many, they can also be a hectic and stressful time. If you find yourself needing a break from the chaos this season, bundle up, get outside and let nature give you a reprieve. Although hiking might not be your first thought when the snow ...

Do Pets Make Good Holiday Gifts?

My wife and I adopted our first pet while still in college. Herman, a tabby cat, lived for almost 20 years. When we moved to West Virginia, Linda visited an animal shelter and came home with Jenny, a two-year old lab/spaniel mutt. It was a sad day when we put her down 15 years later. Daisy, our beloved yellow lab, gave us 10 wonderful years. And we put down Pip, a terrier/Chihuahua mix, almost exactly a year ago just a month shy of his 19th birthday. My point is that owning a pet is a major commitment. Dogs and cats become members of the family, and many live at least 10 years. They ...

The World Around Us

On a rare, sunny day in late November, Karen Hansen from Samsara Yoga Center in Jamestown led a reflective walk for the Audubon Remembers event. It was one of those days that is truly a gift in late fall. The clouds and rain predicted never materialized. Bright blue sky was visible above, ...

Winter Landscapes That Prove Berry Good For Birds

Winter arrived early this year, rushing nature to snuggle in for the cold months ahead. As we enjoy the last few leaves of fall and remaining sprigs of goldenrod and aster, we also hurry to clean up and put our gardens to bed for the winter. Although we will lose our orioles and ...