We stopped off at Lower Lake, which was drained this year by the DEC to do some work.

While there were commonly seen birds like ring billed gulls, trumpeter swans, ducks, geese, blackbirds and kingfisher.

It was a nice surprise to see some Semipalmated Pipers and a Lesser Yellowlegs on their way from Northern Canada down to the Gulf, or farther. 

 

While certainly not located within the North Country, the relatively dark skies in the area certainly allow us better opportunity to see things in the night sky.

The photo doesn't do it justice of course, but I'm still thrilled to get it.

First snow of the season!

Took a drive and the rain started to look thick, turning into slush and then big, fat fluffy snow flakes!! 

My first attempt at photographing the Northern Lights.



They weren't nearly as vibrant to the eye, but over a 30 second exposure, they do show up fairly well.



I definitely look forward to future opportunities to view and shoot them.



 

Every year the SLU Outing Club does Peak Weekend. This year I joined a group to hike up St Regis Mountain and had a blast! The weather was perfect and the trees changing color made it magical. 

Stopped near Donnelly's Icecream at Glenview to see the sunset. Great view of the ADK high peaks, and great color in the leaves. They were starting to hit peak this weekend (last weekend in Sept.)

The field in the foreground is a piece of land owned by the ADK Land Trust called Glenview. They're working on an accessible trail system on the property, set to finish sometime in the next year.

While hiking the trail to Huckleberry Lake I came across a wetland area with a ton of frogs! This frog was sitting on a rock looking out over the pond, and let me get very close to take this picture. 

I spend a lot of time paddling on Dexter Marsh and taking photos. I was on my way back to the launch to head home, and a motor boat came up behind me. I moved off to the side to get out of their way, and thankfully spotted this bird (I think a green heron, but I'm new to birding so I'm not completely sure). Not only was he unbothered by the motor, he didn't mind me at all! I sat about 10 feet from him in my canoe while he ran back and forth and hunted fish and frogs. It was a lovely experience to be able to observe him without feeling like he was afraid of me.

We did some searching for crayfish in Eel Weir state park over the weekend. Water was low and we found many dried up shells along the shoreline. We also caught 10 or so in the water. They all appeared to be Northern Clearwater or Allegheny crayfish. We didn’t find any invasive rusty crayfish.

Walking early morning and the fog was lifting as the sun came up.

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!

It was a cooler, windy evening in August when we decided to walk around Sugar Island. While not terribly buggy, you did have to keep moving else they may swarm. The view from the dock was beautiful though and well worth a few mosquito bites. 

We stopped by Hart's Falls to see how different it might be after the recent high waters due to Hurricane Debby.

The River itself was already a foot lower than it was at the high the prior day, so I wish I'd had thought of this earlier.

But quite a bit more of the rocks on the upstream side were submerged than we had ever seen on prior visits.



For perspective, both of us are in the picture on the rock.



 

Butterflies 

Walking and saw this!

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. 

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.

While walking the Massawepie Mire railbed, I was thrilled to spot two Spruce Grouse fledglings in the boreal habitat west of the crossing of the South Branch Grasse River. The DEC and regional ecologists have been working to establish a breeding population of this endangered species, with their efforts including the release of males and females. It was therefore wonderful to see successful breeding. I was fortunate enough to have one of the fledglings fly into the boughs of a conifer to pose for photos.

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.

As we walked the footbridge over to Falls Island, we noticed a deer at the waters edge eating berries.



We watched it for a while and took a quick walk over to see the falls and on the way back the deer was on the trail, still eating, as we stopped for a moment to look at it, while it looked back and realized we were not scary.



As we started to approach the deer started to follow,  probably 20 feet behind us.  It made it about 1/3 of the way across the bridge before turning back.

Water levels were high, very buggy! But perfect for mushrooms!

We decided to take our boat out on the St. Lawrence River for an evening cruise and ended up floating beneath the Ogdensburg Prescott International Bridge. Our puppy, Cooper, was really enjoying the cool air. I snapped this shot near Chimney Island.

While at the CCE bioblitz we found some pretty burdock.

Had a great time at the Cornell Cooperative extension bioblitz and saw some gorgeus plants.

Nature Up North's float on the Oswegatchie.



Among the many creatures we observed were Great Blue Heron, Robin, Turkey Vultures, Barn Swallow, Kingbird, Painted turtles, Red-Tailed Hawk, Eastern Phoebe, Kingfisher, Cedar Waxwing and a Solitary Sandpiper.



A terrific few hours out on the river for an easy 5 mile paddle.

Twice the frog attempted to swallow the crawfish  by the head, and had to retreat.

After a 15 minute standoff, the frog took a position between the crawfish and the water it was trying to get to.

I'll never know who won, because this started a standoff between myself and my wife and the insects that were attacking us.

We lost as these two waited each other out.

Freshly fledged American Kestrel nestlings awaiting a delivery from mom in the morning sun. 

Beautiful sunset litup the trees at the feild station at the book exchange camp fire! Lovely night!

After finishing a paddle on the Oswegatchie, I spotted these small Crayfish over the shore by the boat launch. 

While on my morning walk to check our various bird boxes, I heard a commotion in the veggie garden. The tree swallows were swirling and calling. I spotted a recent fledge from our kestrel box sitting on the fence. He was kind enough to pose a while. I got a few nice shots before he heard Mom calling and joined her in a nearby tree. 

Had to stop quick and take a picture of this snake on Judson Street Road.

These recently fledged barn swallows were getting flying and hunting lessons from Mom in my veggie garden in the early morning. Helping me with pest control! So sweet. 

This was a fantastic spot to view the building of the next, the babies and all of the hunting and caretaking.

It was located about 15 feet from the shore, so it was protected to an extent, and the placid water is a haven for damsel and dragon flies. The adult birds were almost always within sight as they hunted and returned.

At times, one would sit at the edge of the nest and spread it's wings to help shelter the young from the direct sun.

 

Tailed Frog at Stone Valley

Tree Swallow nestlings getting fed just before fledging. This is one of ten boxes occupied by these beautiful insect eating birds! (PS- why no tree swallow tag available???) 

A butterfly with a broken wing at the first campfire of the season!

This photo was taken by Rensselaer Falls resident Troy Parla in Heritage Park, Canton.

For our last ecology lab of the semester, my class went to Higley Flow State Park to look for salamanders! This is one of 60 Red Backed Salamanders that we found by looking under logs and bark. 

Here's another photo of a Red-Backed Salamander that I found during my ecology class lab! These salamanders are very small, but are so abundant that their biomass outweighs the biomass of many other species in the area, including deer! We found 60 Red-Backed Salamanders during our lab. 

A local repair shop was testing out their restored 1950’s/60’s German car/boat combo in the little river. Photos were taken from the SLU boat house on the little river.

I watched this wood duck pair circling overhead. They finally landed and in perfect sunshine. I have been seeing them in this tree over the last couple of weeks and we have three duck boxes that are occupied. This pair appears to be nesting in a natural cavity in the tree. A great argument to leave standing dead and dying trees as they provide habitat and nesting opportunities for our native bird species. 

I have been seeing gray foxes from time to time, but always in poor lighting situations and never near enough to capture a photo to verify my sighting. This changed last Saturday. From my kitchen window I spotted this gray fox and her mate crossing our property. I was able to capture a few photos through the glass. This is the best one. She almost looks angelic. 

Warm spring weather made for comfortable testing in waders under the SUNY Canton bridge. 

My regular morning routine involves walking our property with my camera. We live on the north end of Black Lake. While I was walking towards the lake, I spotted a coyote crossing the clearing. I typically see at least two at a time and figured I must have missed the first. I continued towards the lake and sat for a while watching bald eagles in the distance. Then I spotted something walking towards me on the ice. I pointed my camera towards the edge of the tree line and was happy to capture this shot and many more. Coyote on ice. 

Each morning I walk down to the lake's edge with my camera, hoping to catch a glimpse and even better a photo of some of our abundant local wildlife. This female coyote was curious about my camera's clicking and posed for quite a while as she walked by following her mate. 

I see about one bald eagle a day here on our property on Black Lake. The other day I was thrilled to see not just one or two, but FIVE sub adult bald eagles ranging in age from 1 to about 4 years old. I shot this photo and several others from my kitchen window. 

The wind was blowing and the snow was falling but it did not deter this dark eyed junco. 

It was a snowy Sunday but the Juncos did not mind. This one posed for me. 

I have been watching for foxes since seeing their tracks in the snow on my morning walks. I was so happy to see this pair in our garden from the kitchen window. 

I have been watching for foxes and hoping to have them return to our property after not seeing any for about a year. I was so happy to see this vixen, part of a pair that were exploring the gardens around our pool looking for voles and chipmunks. 

I have been seeing fox tracks around the property when there has been snow and hopping to catch a glimpse since I had not seen one in a while and the last one I saw was suffering from mange. I was so happy when I looked out the window to catch not only one, but two foxes out in the garden around our pool. This photo is what I believe to be the male. Taken from my kitchen window. 

Took a walk at Indian Creek Nature Center out to the lean-to there that is dedicated to John Green. John was a professor in the Biology Department and also one of the folks who first established Indian Creek Nature Center for the public. He was also a good friend. 

Took a walk in the woods as the sun was beginning to set on the shortest day of the year.

A blustery day on a short walk at Fort de La Présentation.  

Out past the lighthouse, I found beautiful ice formations on the rocks, concrete and driftwood.



With the wind and being around 18 degrees, it was good that it was a short walk, but well worth the exposed hands to work the camera.



A beautiful day to be out actually.

Skiing Whitaface with the peak in the clouds. As you ski down the cloud cover ended just above Little Whiteface giving way to some great views into the valley.

Though it is warming up into the 40's today, it was fun to see these tracks in the snow. I like the reminder that these critters are out and about even in the cold weather.

On my morning walk I encountered this very busy male pileated woodpecker. I heard him working before I spotted him. 

This was our last view of the mountains when hiking up Whiteface

The squirrels love to use this feeder and often visit it as an alternative to the bird feeders in the yard.

The first of many chilly and snowy mornings in the North Country has me looking forward to all the winter months have to offer. 

Foxy and Snowball, the goats at the SLU Sustainability Farm are enjoying their new pasture! These two are very sweet goats; they love to explore and interact with human visitors. 

I was kayaking on Black Lake on an unusually warm October afternoon when I heard the call of the belted kingfisher. I allowed the wind to blow me closer where I was able to take a few photos and I didn't drop my camera in the water! :) 

While out on my regular morning walk, I heard Canada geese approaching. As I looked up I realized they were about to fly in front of the still glowing harvest moon. I am happy I had my camera with me. 

While I was on my morning walk here on Black Lake, I noticed a group of flickers seeming to check out the various boxes around our property. I was happy that I had my camera handy when these two males were competing over the tasty snacks in this old tree stump. The approaching flicker is showing off his yellow under feathers that give them their name "Yellow Shafted Northern Flicker"

Ruby throated hummingbirds dueling over garden territory. 

I am pretty sure this chipmunk lives in the Canoe House, everyday it scurries around with some food in their cheeks. 

Beautiful view on a fall day 

Each morning I take a walk to greet the new day. I love seeing what birds are enjoying the flowers and trees around our home. On this September morning, this little lady was kind enough to pose for me on a dew covered sunflower branch. 

Hummingbirds are fighting over the flowers in the gardens. This little one found a perfect spot to sip a zinnia blossom with flowering dill in the background. 

While working in the garden there is always a flury of hummingbird activity this time of year. They battle for control of the best feeders and flowers. I captured this photo after this hummingbird successfully chased off the competition and went on with enjoying the flowers. 

I noticed a bird flying around our property and the hayfield next door, it flew like a bat in circles. There were lots of insects on this hot and humid September day. I realized it was a nighthawk. A rare sighting during daylight hours. Please allow me to add proper tag. Nighthawks are on decline, and it would be great if people could properly tag their sightings. 

I think this was a spiny oak-slug moth caterpillar. It was really beautiful, I can't recall ever seeing another caterpillar that looked like this before.

This little cutie was perched on the Blau Hilde bean vines in my veggie garden. He seemed to be staring right into my lens. He reminds me of a young teenager just getting his facial hair with his ruby feathers just starting to come in. I love that his little beak is covered in pollen. I had more hummingbirds around than ever this season. They were so much fun to watch and photograph. 

This little beauty showed up while I was sipping coffee on our porch. I have an abundance of hummingbirds this season, much to my delight. I think they enjoy the multitude of native and annual flowers I have planted for them. The hyacinth bean vine was a new addition to my annuals this summer. Hummingbird approved! 

We took family on the St. Lawrence River and saw this large ship. It was amazing!

I always have my camera with me while I am out in the garden. This little goldfinch posed for several photos, it was difficult to choose my favorite. 

I always have one of my cameras handy while I am in the garden. I plant flowers not only for myself to enjoy, but for the birds. This American Goldfinch was kind enough to pose on my sunflowers. 

This photo depicts an Asian lady beetle, a species similar in looks to a ladybug but very invasive in the North Country. It can be hard to tell the difference between the two but the main giveaway that I look for to distinguish them is the black "M-shaped" marking located behind the Asian lady beetle's head. Despite the invasive nature of this species, they are still stunning and photograph beautifully.

We had so much fun learning about fungi!

Enjoyed a nice morning walk on the SLU XC trails, but am surprised to see some leaves already turning red. Keep hearing that everything is “two weeks early,” plus these trees are on the edge of a soccer field right next to the road, so maybe not the healthiest habitat, contributing to some external stressors…

I was heading out to the garden when I heard the birds sounding the alert. I looked around and sure enough this little one was running along the stone row. I waited on the other side for him to peek out. He seemed to be interested in the clicking of my camera and struck a cute pose. I am pretty sure this stoat is one of the young ones I saw Momma carrying earlier in the season. 

Seek identified this as a “Hermit Flower Beetle” he was the size of a half dollar, maybe a bit bigger, and I love that you can see the lamellate antennae, which is very characteristic of scarab beetles. This fella is similar to the beetles we know as june bugs, but not the same. Apparently they can emit a noxious odor when frightened! 

A rainy walk to Lampson Falls to build fairy houses, collecting material along the way, led to the discovery of lots of different fungi, all probably much happier than the humans at the damp conditions. despite the rain it was a joyful afternoon!

I just love the way the sun shines through this leaf and you can see all of its intricate veins, and the rest of the tree stands a little out of focus in the background. Nature is so awesome!

This little yellow warbler was hunting insects in our veggie garden. 

I work as a Watercraft Inspection Steward to manage invasive species and, when the boat traffic is slow, I try to see what the feathered fellas are up to! There are many places for them to hang out at the boat launch: grasses and reeds, trees, even industrial structures! They are good company for a long day outside and I never get tired of listening to their conversations.

Beautiful little buck stopped in my yard to eat. 

Visited by a bumblebee robber fly at the canton farmers market! These flies are cleverly disguised as bees with their yellow and black coloration and fuzzy bodies - but a closer look and a few clues will give away their status as flies (members of the Diptera order). First - this guy only has one pair of wings. Bees have two pairs! He’s got short antennae, and his eyes are more round whereas bees generally have oval shaped eyes. Finally the giveaway that this isn’t just any fly, but a robber fly - the mustache (technical name: mystax, a collection of stuff bristles on the face).

This freshly fledged northern flicker visited me while I was working in our garden. He was calling for his parents and they were returning the call from afar. Our home on Black Lake is like a small bird sanctuary with so many birds nesting in our trees and bird boxes. 

Kayaking down the Grasse River at dusk. 

I walk my dog every morning at 4:30am and this is my view along the way. 

This dragon fly landed on my son and just happened to have caught a spider to have for a snack. 

So exciting to see the new, bright green leaves on these sugar and Norway maples on SLU campus. Not just here but all over campus and beyond the beautiful greenery is just so lush and fresh - it really feels like a breath of fresh air and new beginnings. 

This little bee kept coming back and landing on my book and my sweater while I was outside. I was wearing a yellow sweater with flowers so he may have liked that. When the little friend was on my book he was rubbing his antennae and legs - and you can see how full the tibia on its hind legs are with pollen! So cool! 

Scott and I sampled the lake today and towed a zooplankton net behind the boat near Raspberry Island. Fun times on a beautiful spring day

Spotted this little beauty in my backyard while hiking my dog 

Birding walk led by Tom Langen and the St. Lawrence Land Trust at the Upper and Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area. Some of the most exciting sightings (to me at least) were the Virginia rail (pictured here creeping through the marsh), a Northern Waterthrush (not pictured), an American kestrel hovering (not pictured), and the Baltimore oriole we saw at the very end (pictured in a blossoming tree). Other birds we encountered were: 

This sweet tree swallow pair ended up raising a little family in our veggie garden nest box. It appears they are discussing the local real estate here prior to making a decision. I love having tree swallows nesting on our property. They eat lots of insects! 

I spotted this beauty from the window while I was making dinner. He landed in the perfect evening sun. 

This beauty appeared in a tree while I was making dinner. I was able to capture a series of photos in the perfect late afternoon light. This is among my favorites. I love seeing Great Blue Herons in their breeding plumage. I love living on Black Lake! 

Buddy was zoomin from tunnel to tunnel

Tree Swallow pair in our little vineyard on Black Lake. I look forward to their arrival each spring. We have at least 6 nesting pairs a season. I love watching their aerobatics. 

I was watching the sunrise over Black Lake when I spotted some ducks moving closer. I was able to capture a photo of this hooded merganser as it passed. I love his reflection on the water. 

This semester, Nature Up North has been helped by two St. Lawrence University students participating in a "Community based learning" course. Among other things, Julia and Ilana helped us to put out some game cameras in early March. We went out today to retrieve the game cameras. Knowing that the St. Lawrence University Kip Tract is primarily forested wetland, and that the trails are flooded, we donned chest waders just to walk the trail and get the cameras. We were successful in collecting 3 of the 4 cameras; one that we had placed near the bank of the Little River was under water!

Kayla and I went out to do some morning birding on the Kip Trail. After abandoning the trail on the Wachtmeister side due to flooding, we headed to the Pike Rd. entrance. Though I have no bird pictures to share, we saw and/or heard at least the following: Eastern phoebe, kingfishers, mallard ducks, brown creepers, hairy woodpeckers, chickadees, a northern cardinal, red-breasted nuthatch, and likely a yellow warbler!

We happened upon more flooding on the trail and also found some evidence of recent beaver activity near the lean-to.

iNaturalist identified this as a "Winter Stonefly," there have been a bunch on my porch. It's still pretty chilly - how do these insects survive? So cool! 

Saw some tracks in the snow, not sure what they were, maybe a raccoon?

Went for a walk while it snow!! Very peaceful

Owl was soaking up the sun.

My first time skiing at Titus was so much fun! Most of the day was cloudy and spent a while on the "bunny" slopes, my friends and I had a great time.

It was a beautiful afternoon just after a snow storm when a few Blue Jays fluttered about in the backyard. This one loved to pose for the camera. 

Beautiful sunny and cold January day

A little icing to start the year

Beautiful Barred Owl was sitting on the edge of the wooded area.

We were working around our yard when I heard the blue jays sounding alarm calls. I looked to see what they were upset about and spotted this barred owl just through the branches in the wooded area behind our house. My partner grabbed my camera for me, teamwork! 

Our first hike to Huckleberry Lake in the Wolf Lake State Forest in St. Lawrence County. An easy 1.7 mile out-and-back led to a ledge over the still-as-a-mirror lake.

We saw this beautiful sunset from a campsite at Meacham Campground.  

We visited Meacham Lake and got a great picture of the hills.  

This is one of my early attempts at capturing what the night looks like under little more than starlight.



You will hear little more than insects, frogs and maybe a Coyote or Owl in the distance.  



Of course, on this night I could hear something walking directly between where I was to take this picture and the 200 feet to the cabin.

And I could not see a thing.  

I heard it breathe on occasion.  So I forced my mind into believing it was "just a deer".

I was driving down the road, and I saw some really nice fall colors. The trees almost made a mini tunnel over the road, and it looked like a great picture opportunity.

This beautiful view was at Ausable Point.  

This was taken in Peru at Ausable Point.  

It was a clear and calm Fall day along the beautiful area of Brandy Brook, just outside of Waddington. 

This sight was absolutely breathtaking 

It was amazing to see this little bee at work 

I've been paddling to High Rock on Columbus day for several years now. I enjoy this trek immensely, and the autumn season makes it that much more enjoyable. The leaves are past peak, but still, it's an amazing trip this time of year. The forecast of sunny skies took a while to get there, but eventually, the skies cleared. To top it off, I saw a bald eagle and a bear. 

Had a beautiful hike up Goodman Mountain one Sunday morning, the leaves were all shades of green, yellow, orange, and red and the path was so soft and beautiful with the ones that had already fallen. An amazing short hike!

The Beaver Narrows trail is awesome any time of year, but the fall is by far my favorite.

A short but great hike into Moose Pond during the peak of the foliage. 

Looking for a few moments of peace before I headed to work I stopped at the Public Beach in Blue Mountain Lake to be rewarded with this spendor!

Walking to the end of a trail and looking out over the hills and pond was so beautiful 

Chilly but beautiful leaf peeping day!

Was fortunate to see the velvet still hanging on...

Oh the color palette! Wow!

Old maple that I grew up playing under as a child .

Heard some rustling outside and thought that maybe I was about to make a new friend. I don't usually judge a book by its cover but when dealing with skunks, it is safe to assume that it would not want to be my friend.

Always a blessing to be here! 

This is an annual event for us. The foliage seems to run a little earlier along the Bog River area and this year was great. The paddle up the Bog river and then the hike up to the overlook make a perfect "surf and turf" outting.

Peak weekend, decided to go hiking with a few friends, the high peaks were too crowded with hikers so decided to take a smaller trail. Found some unique features along the way. Now, I am halfway complete with the Saranac 6...

Another beautiful reminder that we are blessed to live in the best place on Earth. 

Sunset from my backyard, on the Grasse River in Massena, NY.

Relaxing hike 

Got out on the water and paddled cranberry lake with a group! Got to get off and explore some rocks, go for a chilly swim, and camp out! It was so fun to be outside and enjoy being with new friends!

Peaceful Sky

The waters were a little windy, which made canoeing a little bit more difficult than originally planned. The trees surrounding the lake were just beginning to change their colors, so mainly green with a few leaves of red and orange. But the views of the mountains along the lake were absolutely stunning.

This is a fallen tree on the Lampson Falls trial. Such a beautiful piece of nature 

The water was roaring and so amazing. The air crisp and steam flowing from the water with the changing leaves in the distance 

My family went to Hidden Pastures Dairy to pick sunflowers and we came across many honey bees enjoying the sunflowers.

This is a mourning dove's nest we discovered in our spruce tree in the fall.