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REGION — Promoting physical, mental and social wellness, New York State Parks’ 2025 Wellness Challenge launched earlier this year encourages New York residents … more

7/17/25

A flame illuminates the gathering darkness.

Unrelenting grace

You have whispered in the day’s ear of your willingness to be graced and you are given— you are given— the elixir of thrush at dawn and dusk transforming light’s … more

By SANDY LONG | 7/16/25

DEC accepting sponsored hunt program apps

ALBANY, NY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Fish and Wildlife recently announced that DEC is accepting applications for sponsored … more

7/16/25

A few fledglings flee over a nearby rock wall.

Tiny turkeys tales

Have you ever wondered why we have hunting seasons? There are many reasons, of course, but sometimes it’s an overlooked consideration. None of us wants to see any of these species of … more

By HUNTER HILL | 7/16/25

Common eastern fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) is a small flowering plant of the daisy family. The flower is about a half-inch in diameter and can be distinguished from other lookalikes by its many fine petals (50-100). It is considered native to this region, but can be opportunistic to favorable habitats, which is why some call it invasive. The flower prefers disturbed habitat such as that found near roadsides.

Roadside wildflowers

Years ago, roadsides and highway medians were regularly sprayed and mowed to keep the shoulders clear and improve sight distance for safety reasons. The mowing went out to wherever the road … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 7/9/25

A river as night falls. The time big trout are on the prowl and easy to catch.

Night on the river

Once the spring fly hatches are over and the summer season begins, the most productive fishing is in the evening. The exception is that on cloudy, gray days, anglers may find a reprieve and see trout … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 7/9/25

At left, James W. proudly holds his Snapshot NY camera and gear. At right, a black bear captured on a trail camera in Western New York.

Interested in stalking animals in your own backyard?

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton, in collaboration with the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University, today … more

7/8/25

This green frog joined me along a riverbank in the Upper Delaware River region recently to deliver a message of reverence for rivers. Take heed of some good advice from a fetching local amphibian!

What the frog said…

There was movement in the grass along the riverbank where I rested with pen poised above the page, contemplating ideas for this column. I was trying to cool down as the heat wave hovered over the … more

By SANDY LONG | 7/2/25

Two little farmers with their lines in the salty brine.

A cast away

Vacation for farmers sometimes only means waiting on parts or weather to keep working. For us, however, with a whole lot of overtime and planning ahead, it meant the real deal, or should I say, the … more

By HUNTER HILL | 7/2/25

“Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods.” (John Muir)..

Wanna go camping for the first time?

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the return of the free First-Time Camper Program for the 2025 season. Through the First-Time … more

6/26/25

This is the bowl and doily spider as it clings to the underside of the bowl, waiting for a gnat or other flying insect to collide with an overhead strand and fall onto the topside of the bowl part of the web. The spider will feel its prey contact the web and will then move under its prey and deliver a bite through the web. This could be a safer hunting method if an insect too large for the bowl and doily spider to handle comes into the web.

A unique web to weave

Around the middle of May, a friend had sent me an image of a couple of spider webs on a small conifer tree; they were sheet-type webs that were woven horizontally, taking on a little bit of a bowl … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 6/25/25

The fallen Beaverkill River Access sign. A problem that would not have occurred when Ed VanPut worked for the DEC.

A long ride home

The day was June 1 of this year. That was the date Judy Van Put chose to celebrate the life of her late husband Ed, who passed in December of 2024. A memorial was scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Catskill … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 6/25/25

Electronic hunting tags, DMAP changes, youth opportunities

NEW YORK — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced several proposed regulation changes to streamline use and reporting of hunting tags and provide new … more

6/23/25

When the world seems spun upside down and turned around, try flipping your view for a fresh perspective. Lighten up with a lensball for photographic fun and the feeling that seeing things anew is possible.

Possibilities for perspective

The turbulence of these times is undeniable. Despite the welcome rise of spring’s wild and refreshing energy, it can be challenging to maintain a sense of hope that things will settle down, … more

By SANDY LONG | 6/18/25

Packed in mud and carpeted with straw, at least the weeds are drowning too.

Mudding in

This spring has been a wet one for the record books. About two weeks before the last frost date, we thought we were prepared. And we were. But nature wasn’t. So neither were we. Fast track … more

By HUNTER HILL | 6/18/25

Here is an older, larger watersnake basking nearby a lake. This individual was about two-and-half feet long and is stout in appearance as most of the larger adults are. Notice that the back patterns are duller in appearance and darker. The back pattern starts fading towards the rearward third of the snake. This trait is found with many snake species, including the timber rattlesnake.

A serpentine motion of the aquatic kind

June is here, and many of us are taking advantage of the swimming and fishing opportunities in nearby natural waterways. It’s a great time to spot varied wildlife while near the water. You … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 6/11/25

Sustainable Bethel to hold open house

WHITE LAKE, NY — The Town of Bethel will host an environmental open house forum on Sunday, June 15 at the Duggan School gym from noon to 3 p.m. Residents and businesses can learn how to save … more

6/11/25

The Patagonia Chest Pack holds all that's needed for a day’s fishing.

What’s in your fishing vest?

When I began the process of switching from spin fishing with bait and lures to fly fishing for trout, I immediately became overwhelmed. Most of that was due to the fact that I purchased a copy of … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 6/11/25

The photo app on my smartphone suggested that this deceased but intact fish found on a hillside overlooking Shohola Lake in Pike County, PA was a black bullhead catfish. However, the app could offer no explanation for how or why it got there!

ID me: Tools for nature lovers

Sometimes you just must find out what that shiny black elongated lump you discovered lying on a hillside in the snow might be. Maybe that palm-sized spider you uncovered when lifting the tarp from … more

By SANDY LONG | 6/4/25

There are two kinds of church. This one reminds me of the title Creator.

A cathedral for creatures

Spring turkey season is one of my favorite hunting seasons of the year for many reasons, but right at the top is the more agreeable climate. In terms of large game, most of the predominant seasons … more

By HUNTER HILL | 6/4/25

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
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