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!
After the thaw on the Edwards nature trail
The day before was 58 degrees with heavy rain all day, and down to zero by morning. Add in a foot of snow overnight and the Oswegatchie river was as high as it gets in the spring. The water was running at least 6-7 feet above normal, and had already dropped about 18" by the time we were there in the afternoon. There was a pretty big ice jam several hundred yard downstream of the trestle. The water and ice were backed up about 200 yards into the woods from the banks of the river. It was only 2 degrees, but made for a fun and quick snowshoes trek.
January Thaw
Frigid temperatures and snow covered fields gave way this week to 50 degree weather and a heavy downpour of rain today in Canton. Most of the snow has melted, and I can't help but think that the green beneath it looks out of place this time of year.
Name-Calling
Encouraging people to make friends with wild plants can be a challenge. Sometimes there are genuine concerns. Nettles, as an example, make an early-spring cooked green par excellence, even though its fresh leaves and stems have stinging hairs that can cause an uncomfortable, if temporary, rash if care is not taken when harvesting it.
Canton Winter Olympics: Cardboard Sled Racing! (1 of 3)
Nature Up North is excited to bring you the Canton Cardboard Sled Race as the first of three events in the Canton Winterfest 2018 Winter Olympics! The event will be held at the Canton Pavilion on February 9th from 3 - 5 pm. Sled building (materials provided) will be in 3:00 - 4:00 pm in the Community Room, and the race will begin at 4:00 at Bend in the River Park. Teams of 2-4 are invited to enter, and may build a sled in advance or at the event.
Morning walk on bitter cold day
Decided to take a walk down our country road to check out the recent snowfall from Lake Effect storm that dropped 18 inches of snow the day before. We were only suppose to get 2 to 4 inches. It was too deep to walk in the woods so we walked down our road. It was beautiful to see snow hanging on the branches along with blue skies with streaks of white clouds. Of course, it was cold with brisk winds on our way back home. It just feels good to be able to get outside to enjoy Mother Nature brings to the North Country.
Skiing at Higley Flow State Park - Ongoing
Friends of Higley Flow generously maintain ski and snowshoe trails at Higley Flow State Park throughout the winter. The park is open from 8:00 until 4:00 daily, and the lodge is open until 3:30. On Tuesdays and Thursdays the park and lodge are open until 8:00 PM. For each of those nights, there is volunteer host whose function is to be certain that everyone is off the trails and leaving the park by 8:00.
Winter Ski & Snowshoe loans at the Nicandri Nature Center - Ongoing
The Nicandri Nature Center offers fun, affordable recreation activities for the public, school groups, special interest groups and tourists. Hiking and birding are available year-round, while snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are extremely popular during winter months. Loaning of equipment is FREE. Sizes of snowshoes and ski equipment are available for adults and children.
Visit www.massenanaturecenter.com for more info.
Winter Tracking at Indian Creek Nature Center - rescheduled!
The ICNC hosts a wonderful array of interesting animals and fauna throughout the year. Peter O'Shea, local naturalist and author, will lead the group in identifying various creatures by their tracks and other unique features. If snow is sufficiently deep, trackers can bring their snowshoes or borrow them from the nature Center. If no snow, we'll scout the trails on foot. Dress appropriately and please call to register. Photo: Snowshoe hare tracks in snow, Luke Harvey.
Weather or Not
Weather modeling has become quite a big deal in recent years, with meteorologists falling all over themselves to report what the latest models say. It sounds like a fun job, and I am trying to find out how to apply for a position. No doubt I could model categories like “large stationary front” or “high pressure system” pretty well. If it involves appearing in a swimsuit, though, forget it.
First Day Hike on the SLU Kip Trail
First hike with the dogs on a balmy 5 degree day (we've been having a real cold snap!). The afternoon light at this time of year is lovely against the snow.