My life is about living with nature – here you can live it with me!

Latest

Hide and Go Seek in Allegany State Park

Is it under the rock or under the log, just maybe it is located right next to where you are standing? Geocaching has become today’s modern scavenger hunt. To the unknown geocaching eye, you probably have one across from your local grocery store or in your local park. Some people find the hide within seconds and the next person could spend hours searching. What makes this sport fun is that you never know what you will find until you start searching. Geocaching could take you too many locations you would have never visited without the encouragement of finding that cache. Read the rest of this page »

Posted by  |  30 March 2007 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Kids, Nature | Tags: , , , , | 11 Comments

Sping Animals are Fun to Watch

This time of the year I find myself bombarded with things to write about but very little time to actually do the writing. I will try to focus on some important things instead of every little encounter that I had. Yesterday morning the Eastern Bluebirds were actively singing around my bluebird box and I am soo pleased to have them around. Not sure how I am going to accomplish this but I am currently trying to come up with a plan on getting some video of these guys for the blog. While working on the computer in my office there was a wonderful little song coming through my window. I had to think for a few second “who is this bird” and then it hit me “Brown Creeper”. The Brown Creeper is a common little brown bird which is rarely seen but commonly heard singing in the springtime. Read the rest of this page »

Posted by  |  29 March 2007 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Birds, Blip.tv, bugs, Flickr, Nature, video, Wildflowers | Tags: , , , | 12 Comments

Stinky Bug

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Whenever the outside temperatures start warming up, we will get many flies and ladybugs around the house. Living in the woods for the past three years has introduced me to a new resident living with me over the winter months. I had always called this a “stink bug” because whenever someone accidentally steps on one or grab it quickly the bug will produce an unpleasant odor. It has only been recently that I started to investigate the proper identification of this insect. I am proud to introduce you to my new room mate Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis).

Read the rest of this page »

Posted by  |  28 March 2007 | Categories: Allegany State Park, bugs, Nature, Science, Weather | Tags: | 15 Comments

Salamander Migration

Spring is a magnificent time of the year when nature does so many wonderful things. This is when I find myself on a set routine waiting for the next major natural event to happen (and it normally happens right on schedule). My biggest and most favorite activity to participate in is the migration of the Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum).

Spotted Salamander Read the rest of this page »

Posted by  |  27 March 2007 | Categories: Allegany State Park, bugs, Flickr, Frog, Nature, Science | Tags: , | 23 Comments

Bluebirds, Phoebe and Osprey

There have been soooo many “nature” things going on and I don’t even know where to start. I got back from Massachusetts on Sunday and realized that all 4-5 inches of snow had melted. These are the wonderful turning points in the weather where I could be spending all my time focused on the critters (but I need to work to pay the bills). I quickly opened all my windows so my kitties could get some fresh air and there was the “wonderful” sound of Eastern Bluebirds down near my bluebird box. Monday morning the Bluebirds were actively adding nesting material to the box and I plan on trying to get a video clip of them once I get a little more time.

Eastern Phoebe

Read the rest of this page »

Posted by  |  26 March 2007 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Birds, Flickr, Nature, Salamander, Science | Tags: , | 10 Comments

Day Four – the Return

Woke up in the morning to find some snow on the ground. I really did not want to leave Cape Cod and drive the 9 1/2 hour trip back to Western New York. I did finally get everything packed up and started heading home. This is always where you start to reflect the many adventures that happened on the trip. Read the rest of this page »

Posted by  |  25 March 2007 | Categories: Birds, Nature | Tags: , | 8 Comments

Day Three – The Meeting

Harbor Seal

I woke up extra early to visit Nauset Beach at Cape Cod because there had been talk that this would be the best location for finding some Harlequin Ducks. I ended up not taking the required turn and found myself at this very cool dead end road (and probably where I shouldn’t have been). Not only were their a zillion birds swimming around but on one of the rocks was a harbor seal. It was not too cooperative in letting me get a close photo but I did squeeze in a few pictures before it disappeared in the water. I really have to appreciate everyone who has the opportunity in seeing these guys on a daily basis. Read the rest of this page »

Posted by  |  24 March 2007 | Categories: Birds, Flickr, Nature, Ornithology, Science | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

Day Two – Exploring the Cod

Provincetown in the fog

I started my morning by heading to the farthest point of Cape Cod in a town called Provincetown. There had been talk of Northern Gannets near Race Point and I was dieing to find this bird since it would have been a life for me. I was very pleased to locate some fellow bird banders already there but we all found ourselves scratching our heads. In theory; everything would have been perfect for locating the Gannets except for the fact that the fog had rolled in. We hiked out to the waters edge (was low tide) but still had a hard time identifying the Red-breasted Mergansers that were only a few hundred feet away. Looking hard, we found something very unusual floating in the water. I pulled out the spotting scope and realized that it had whiskers. Read the rest of this page »

Posted by  |  23 March 2007 | Categories: Birds, Flickr, Mammals, Nature | Tags: , , , , | 13 Comments

Day One – The Trip

Turkey Vulture

After being out on the road for 10 long hours, you start to find yourself doing some 65m/hr nature watching. My adventure started at 5:30 this morning with a few mammals like the Deer, Raccoons and an Opossum. Further down the highway it started looking a bit like large snow flakes in the air! Nope, to warm for snow but there were many little moths that were attracted to my headlights. Finally the sun came up and I started seeing many of those common roadside birds like the Canada Goose, Red-tailed Hawk, American Crow and even a few American Kestrels. I did happen to see many Turkey Vultures flying around which is a species that I have been looking for my first for 2007 list! Finally – CHECK. Read the rest of this page »

Posted by  |  22 March 2007 | Categories: Birds, bugs, Flickr, Mammals, Nature | Tags: , , | 15 Comments

Road Trip

Tree Sparrow

Tomorrow morning I am off to Cape Cod for the weekend. I am expecting to get some lifers since I have never done any east coast ocean birding before. The hotel will have wireless internet in it, so expect some updates while I am out on my trip. I will leave everyone with these Tree Sparrow photos that I captured this morning. Read the rest of this page »

Posted by  |  21 March 2007 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Birds, Flickr, Nature | Tags: , , | 8 Comments