Adirondack Safaris: Nature Up Close and Personal

Yikes! Fall Foliage is Coming Early

2007-09-11T17:26:00.000-04:00

Peak Weekends: September 22-23, September 29-30.

The fall foliage in the Adirondacks is peaking early this year. Many red maples and birches are already decked out in red and yellow, and the sugar maples are on their way. We've had very, very little rain since late April and everything is bone dry. All summer we've watched all the storms going south through the Albany and Mid-Hudson region.

The trees are stressed and when that happens, the chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down earlier than in a season of normal rainfall. Last year the trees were terribly stressed from too much rain. Wetland and riverbank trees turned red in July.

If the glorious colors of the red maples is any indication, this will be a brilliant season. Fall foliage is my busiest time of the year, so book early!

Two Crane Mountain Trips

2007-07-24T17:17:00.000-04:00

This week has turned out to be Crane Mountain Week so far. It's only Tuesday and I've climbed up twice. Sunday's adventure took me to the northernmost slopes of the mountain, the area where most hikers don't travel. I love the open ledges and the views, which are more comprehensive than those available from the summit. On Sunday, the day was so clear, we were viewing the Green Mountains in Vermont as well as the Adirondack High Peaks to the north.

Today's climb took us up into the clouds--literally. Low-lying clouds drizzled on us, and at times let loose a bit of rain. At around half past twelve, the sun broke through and the air became warm and humid. Today I was guiding an international group: about 7 teens from the Netherlands and 6 American young people. As one might expect, their spirits were high, and from time to time they broke into song, which was fun. The most common question on the way up: How much longer to the top? The question on the way down: How long until we're back at the trailhead?

Butterfly Time!

2007-07-18T17:39:00.000-04:00

Ask About Our Waterfall Safaris!
The woods are becoming quieter and quieter as each day passes. For most birds, the breeding period is long gone and the nesting time will soon close. As the fledgings grow and gain their independence, the songbirds' northern sojourn will come to an end no later than late September. Yet many warblers will begin their "fall" migratory trip to the tropics toward the end of July and in August.

For breeding fireworks, however, there is always the American goldfinch, the last songbird to breed, to entertain us birders. If you have the time and can hang out with a bunch of goldfinches for a while in mid-August, watch for their incredible aeronautic courtship displays.

And what about the butterflies? They're in full swing in northern fields and pastures. Even in the forests, a few can be found. I planted a butterfly bush (buddliea) this year in a gigantic pot on my deck and enjoy having them so close by. Monarda is another perennial that's worth planting if you want more butterflies in your yard.

It mystifies me. Last year the milkweed, a favorite food of Monarch butterflies, bloomed in mid-June and this year it's blooming now, in mid-July. I've tried to recall what makes this summer's weather different than last. One huge difference has been this summer's very cool nights, with many temps in the 50s, occasionally dropping to the high 40s. The nighttime chill has retarded the growth of almost every vegetable except for the lettuces.

Besides delaying their major food supply, butterflies are bothered by cold as well, and there do seem to be fewer of them now. If the weather warms up as expected (the long-range forecast says a heat wave is coming late next week), I'm going to watch to see if more butterflies appear.

2007-07-16T10:47:00.000-04:00

No nature hikes this morning. I'm currently (yes, right this minute) teaching a workshop "The Brave New World of Fiction Blogging" for the Adirondack "Fiction among Friends" Writers' Retreat.

Bear Hunting Dogs on the Loose

2007-07-09T17:27:00.000-04:00

Early Saturday morning I was enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee and a good book while lounging on the living room couch. The slider door was open and I had half an ear tuned to birdsong.

First I heard the growling of young bears in the distance, in the far reaches of our back property or our next door neighbor's property and beyond. It sounded a bit like the cubs were carousing and wrestling each other. Next came the furious barking of dogs, lots of dogs raising a racket. By this time, I was out the slider and on the deck, listening and alarmed. All of this was followed by the deep growls and bellows of a mature bear, growling over and over while the dogs continued to bark. By this time, I'd pulled Ken out of bed and we were both standing on the deck.

Any good scent hound, like these foxhounds, can hunt bear
As the barking and growling continued, I imagined the cubs surrounded by dogs, or perhaps the mother bear surrounded. Or perhaps the dogs had managed to get the cubs up a tree, or the mother. After about ten minutes, the sounds stopped.

Later, on my walk with Sophie, I ran into a neighbor and told him the story. He shook his head. "I'm sorry he's doing that."

"You know whose dogs they were?" I asked.

"Sounds like the fellow training his bear hunting dogs. It's not legal to hunt bears in New York," he said, "but you can train them here. This guy hunts bears in Vermont."

In the course of my travels later in the morning, I found out the name of the local person who this neighbor was referring to. I later had his name confirmed by several other people.

I placed a call to New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation and eventually got to have a good long talk with the game warden who covers our area. As people had told me, July 1st was the first day of the season when hunters are allowed to train dogs to track bears. The warden pointed out, however, that a person has to obtain a special permit to do this. Steve (the warden) said he'd see if any permits were filed for our area.

What a time to have this bear tracking training season, though! The time when mother bears and their cubs are at their most vulnerable. Just think of the stress this mother bear and cubs went through over this incident. It made me angry and sad. If New York does not allow hunting bears with dogs, then it should not allow this "training" to go on.

While writing this entry, the phone rang. It was the game warden, letting me know that the hunter believed to have been involved in this incident does indeed have a permit. The cost of the permit? $100/year.

News from My Neck of the Woods

2007-07-02T18:16:00.000-04:00

It’s fascinating to wander one’s home territory and keep track of the wildlife and the wild plants, and to observe the changes week by week and day by day. When did the creek slow to a trickle this year, and when did it last year? What’s going on with the wild strawberry crop: Who’s eating the strawberries, how do the ripening dates compare with last year’s, and what’s the quality like? And for wildlife, how many does have I seen, and how many fawns? (By the way, a mother bear and her two cubs are in the area this year, and I wonder if it’s the same female that had two cubs here last year.)

No, I didn't take this photo. Yikes! (Public domain)
I’m not sure of the number of acres surrounding my home that I regularly traipse during the course of a week, but I’d count at least 175 acres as my home territory. I own a mere fraction of this landscape of hills, meadows, swamps, marshes, and woodlands, but I watch over all of it. In fact, I feel sometimes like the caretaker of a huge estate.

As the months pass, there are victories and tragedies to account for. A victory this year was the return of “my’ chestnut-sided warbler. This beautiful male and his mate have a nest in the exact same area they did last year, not far from our stream. I know it’s the same pair because the male has a song that’s unique. Of course his song is similar to all chestnut-sideds, but he has a unique variation. I swear he says, “Mo-ga-dee-shew, with the accent on the “dee.” So this couple has nested, as has “our” indigo bunting pair, and several pairs of common yellowthroats.

The tragedy was at a new neighbor’s place. They have dug a foundation for their second—no, wait—I think it’s their third home--on land they prepared last summer. I worried last year about the scarlet tanager that nests on their property. I don’t know if he and his mate successfully raised a family last summer or not. But he returned this year, and everything seemed to be going well until two weeks ago. The owner returned to put in a “road” of sorts for his electric hook-up. This man's driveway is too winding to be used as a direct route for the electricity running to the house. The trees were chainsawed right down the middle of the scarlet tanager’s territory. I haven’t heard him sing since.

Speaking of nests, you know, even when I know where a nest is, I never approach it. I never even go close by. I know lots of naturalists like to get close to see the nest or see the eggs. I know these people wait until the parents are out foraging, but I believe the birds know when a human has invaded their territory. Birds need space, inviolate space, if they are to thrive while raising their young. They have enough problems from wildlife marauders, and they have enough trouble finding the amount of undisturbed land they need for their nesting areas.

So, what’s going on in your neck of the woods?

Crane Mountain Birdwatch

2007-06-19T17:34:00.000-04:00

View from the Summit of Crane Mountain
And here I will relate my Mountain Birdwatch adventure on Crane Mountain. (For the link to Mountain Birdwatch, please scroll down to my previous post and search for the blue highlighted "Mountain Birdwatch" text and just click.) First of all, I'm so glad that Crane Mountain was assigned to me. Evidently the person who covered Crane last year was not able to do it this year, and, as a result, I had a fairly short drive to the trailhead in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 16, rather than a long drive to a mountain in the High Peaks. I say "fairly short" because I didn't realize until I was in the car at 3:30am that I wouldn't be able to drive at a normal daytime speed. I forgot to factor in the need to drive at 20-25 mph, all because the roads belong to wildlife at that hour. Not one but two foxes ran across the road at various points. And a doe was so mesmerized by my headlights, she took a long time to recover and meander off the road.

With no moon, the world was dark. Yet at half past three, as I left our house, the east was light! The strong cup of coffee, brewed at the bewitching hour of 2:45 am, kept me alert. Let's face it, though, I was tense with this mission ahead of me. I slept with the light on all night. Now this wasn't intentional, but I think my unconscious was trying to ensure I'd get up when the alarm went off.

When I arrived at the trailhead, I ate the yogurt I had brought with me. I then slathered on a heavy application of my non-Deet bug repellent/SPF 30 lotion. As I prayed that the mosquitos would not eat me alive, I slathered on extra bug stuff around my hairline, a favorite target.

I put on my headlamp, got out of the car, and heaved my pack onto my back. Inside it was my Sony CD player and 2 smallish speakers, and lots of water, my Mountain Birdwatch notebook, birding guide, and extra clothing. If I failed to hear the endangered Bicknell's Thrush on my route, I was to retrace my steps, playing genuine Bicknell Thrush calls and its song at each of the five stations.

A quick glance at my watch--4:20 am. How did it get to be so late so quickly? I set off for the trail, signed in, and started climbing. It was not pitch dark, but the rocks on the trail were barely visible, even with a headlamp. I scrambled up the mountain as fast as my legs and lungs would allow me, pushing relentlessly, and yes, stumbling, I'm embarrassed to say. I had to make tracks fast because I knew how important it was to be at Station 1 early, before five if I could. Bicknell's do not sing all day, nor all morning.

Thirty-five minutes later, I was there--almost to the summit. After that push, I was starving and so out of breath. The instructions gave me permission to spend thirty seconds (!) orienting myself before beginning the survey. As soon as I was breathing halfway normally (more like two minutes), I started the ten-minute site survey, identifying and recording every bird song I heard and its location. A hermit thrush, a Swainson's thrush's liquid, rising tones, black-throated blue warblers, and more, but no Bicknell's. When I finished, I realized I was having fun. I sat on a rock in the middle of the trail, surrounded by spruces and balsam firs. I chomped on a granola bar and wondered where the heck my graham crackers and almond butter went to. I also wasted valuable time pouring a half cup of coffee from my thermos. I sipped and looked off into the distance and marveled at the tinges of aqua appearing on the horizon.

Only then did it dawn on me to check my watch. 5:20 am. I gazed at the time, stupefied. I couldn't believe I had sat there ten minutes wasting all those minutes. It was as if someone else had done it.

I scampered off and reached the second, infamous Crane Mountain ladder with its 15 steps, screwed into a sheer rockface. Up I went (some people say it's scarier going down the ladder, but I think it's more daunting when you see that ladder going straight up the cliff.) Anyway, I had no time to think about it.

At station 2 I felt certain I wouldn't hear any Bicknell's. The spruce-fir cover at this location on the summit was not dense enough for a Bicknell's. No way. But I complied. I felt similarly at Station 3, which is near the overlook that looks down on Crane Mountain Pond.

This is a dreadful place to leave off. All I can say is I will be back with more soon.

What's Hot? Butterflies, Dragonflies, and Boreal Birds

2007-06-13T12:02:00.000-04:00

Butterflies and Wildflowers Summer Solstice Quest
Wed. June 20 10am-1pm

Boreal Mountain Birding Adventure
Sat. June 23 8am-2:30 pm
No, this is not a weather post, though the weather has been unseasonably warm since early May. Gardening is so tough in the heat, but the bugs and the plants seem to love it.
Butterflies are everywhere now and the milkweed should be in full bloom by the weekend, perhaps earlier on southern-facing slopes. I've got all of my butterfly nets out of storage, have dug up my butterfly field guide, and am ready to go to my favorite butterfly haunts, one of which includes the meadows on our property.

And I've been amazed at the vast numbers and varieties of dragonflies and damselflies buzzing around. Thank goodness for them--they're chowing down on our bumper crop of mosquitoes. I've seen so many more varieties of dragonflies this year than last. Last year June was pretty much a washout--with many rainstorms, including one when eight inches fell.

Of course, birding is still in full swing. When we climbed Pillsbury Mountain and walked on the trail across the summit through the boreal forest very early Saturday morning, we heard more than a dozen Swainson's thrushes and two Bicknell's thrushes. We also heard a number of blackpoll warblers, though no boreal chickadees.

I've got to hike up Crane Mountain before dawn in the next day or so for Mountain Birdwatch--searching for Bicknell's Thrush, primarily, but also for Swainson's, blackpolls, and several other boreal birds.

Don't let the bugs keep you from enjoying late spring and early summer. From a nature point of view, this is the most exciting time of the year!

Off to the Hamilton County Birding Festival!

2007-06-07T18:45:00.000-04:00

Mary Ellen Blakey and I are ready for the Hamilton County Birding Festival. If you're in the neighborhood this weekend, go to the website, and sign up for one of the trips. Mary Ellen and I have scouted all our trails, made note of all the obstacles, and we've rehearsed all the ways we'll take care of our birders when we lead them in to some of the choicest birdwatching spots in the southern region of Hamilton County. I'm so psyched!

Our Schedule:
Friday afternoon--Pine Orchard 5-mile trip (Bad thunderstorms are forecast for mid-afternoon. We'll be keeping an eye on the sky.)

Saturday morning 3:45 am Mary Ellen and I awaken. I think we're going to be setting lots of alarm clocks to make sure we get out of bed. Coffee, breakfast, then pile in the car to head to Pillsbury Mountain (elevation 3500+ feet). 5 am: We guide our birders up the mountain to the boreal forest (above 2800 feet). I'm hoping I'll see some boreal chickadees, gray jays, Bicknell's thrush, and why not a spruce grouse? Way cool.

Sat. 12 noon--Back in the car. Shove sandwich into mouth. Drive to our driving birdwatching safari on the ...woops! Mary Ellen knows the name of the road. One pm. We'll drive nineteen miles, stopping at various points to see what we hear and see.
6pm. I drive an hour to get home, asking Ken to meet me at The Black Mountain for dinner. Then home. Quickly throw Buzz Off Shirts into washing machine for Sunday's trek.

Sun. 6 am Wake up, and get my body in the car by 7:15 to drive the 75 minutes west to meet Mary Ellen and a group of eight for the hike in to G Lake. Not a long hike, but this is the place where the bugs will be ready to devour us. Lots of super No-Deet bug stuff for our clients.

Then at 1 pm, I will be on my way home to write about all our experiences. And maybe take a nap!

Even a Nature Girl Needs a Day in the City

2007-06-07T17:58:00.000-04:00

When my birthday rolled around this year, I was perplexed about how I would spend it. Ken kept asking me what I wanted to do, and I kept shrugging, promising I would figure it out before it was too late to celebrate.

On Sunday morning I woke up, brewed myself a really strong cup of Green Mountain Roasters' Organic Rain Forest Blend (makes me think I can save the rainforests of Central America by drinking coffee), and sat on the couch with my laptop.

Suddenly it dawned on me that it would be great to go to a movie. After all, it's been almost two years since we've been to a genuine movie theater.

My web surfing revealed that there was not a halfway intelligent movie within sixty miles of us. So that led me to a search for a movie in Albany, and I quickly zeroed in on a theater that reminded me of one we loved in Boston. Spectrum 8 Theater in Albany shows a sophisticated blend of foreign, independent, and only the very best of Hollywood movies. And it has an acclaimed bakery and cafe next door. So we piled in to Hector (we've always named our vehicles) and headed south.

We saw a Dutch--German--Belgian--British film about Holland in World War II--The Black Box. It did not disappoint. Thrills, heroes and villains, and some romance. Perfect birthday material.

From Albany we drove to Saratoga Springs. We walked along Broadway, had a glass of wine at The Wine Bar (so elegant), and then to The Grey Gelding for dinner. There is no way to convey how dark it was in this restaurant. It was impossible to see people at the next table, or anything else, though there was a tiny candle shining through frosted glass on each table. The setting was unexpectedly romantic and we sat close, taking full advantage of the atmosphere. The food was excellent, though I could barely tell if my forkful held pasta or asparagus.

Then home to Sophie, who gave us the "Where the hell have you been?" greeting, and a walk in the moonlight.

2007-06-01T17:31:00.000-04:00

Two good things about heat: It's great for getting a vegetable garden off to a roaring start and, if it stays hot, the black fly season may be shortened. Once the creeks, streams, and rivers heat up, the black flies are done for the season.

I hiked in to G Lake on Wednesday, accompanied by Mary Ellen Blakey, a wonderful guide whom I'm learning alot from. We were prepping the route for a birding hike we're leading for the Hamilton County Birding Festival. This trip is scheduled for Sunday morning, June 9, and, judging by our trip, the birding should be excellent. But what I was most thrilled about were the hatching dragonflies on the grassy shores of G Lake. I had never seen so many dragonflies in one place, and of so many different varieties. We both kicked ourselves for leaving our dragonfly field guides at home.

Third Annual Hamilton County Birding Festival June 1-3, 8-10, 15-17
Prior to this trip, Mary Ellen and I had only had a phone relationship. After all, she lives in Piseco, which is in the western Adirondacks, and I live in the eastern Adks. We bushwhacked through an extremely buggy, woodsy area, and then walked the shoreline of the Lake. When we came to the tip of a peninsula, we were surrounded by breezes, not bugs. We pulled out our lunches and Mary Ellen set up a small propane stove to make tea for us! I was impressed. Even though it was a hot day, the tea was an excellent pick-me-up. And there was something elegant about sipping tea in the wilderness like that...making me think that I should invest in a little stove. I bet my clients would enjoy a cuppa on a mountaintop or while sitting on a rock in the middle of the Sacandaga River.

Chez Moi--Blue Birds Everywhere I Look

2007-05-25T16:13:00.000-04:00

Hot weather can make me cranky, especially when temps near ninety strike in May, before I've managed to get acclimated to summer heat. I've been forcing myself to be outdoors before 7am for my daily woods and fields ramble. Sophie and I don't take the same route everyday, but we like to explore at least 90 minutes every morning and we always make a sweep of our back meadows, especially where the stream rushes through a thicket of young saplings--birch, beech, black cherry, maple, poplar, and ash.

Indigo Bunting
While walking there this morning, I saw my first indigo bunting of the season, in the same general area where I spotted one last spring. He made a racket as we walked by and flew back and forth. Aahh, nesting behavior, I whispered to Sophie. (At least it is for other birds--I'm not sure about indigo buntings.) It would be wonderful if he and his mate raised their young at our place, especially since another site on our mountain road, where I spotted a nesting pair last year, was destroyed last fall and winter by logging.

And, to top off the week, we still have a pair of eastern bluebirds hanging out on our fence in the meadow. They've now been around for a week. Does this mean they're considering staying here for the summer? I hope so! Yesterday I saw two bluebird females. A menage a trois? No, bluebirds are pretty strait-laced about their sexual relationships. However, they often produce two broods and sometimes three in a single season. After thinking we'd have to wait until next year to post a bluebird box, I now know there is time for Ken to build one after all. I'll bring it up when I tell him I bought his favorite kind of hamburger for dinner tonight. (I broke down and bought 85% lean instead of the usual 90%. It's Memorial Day Weekend, after all.)

Enjoy your weekend! May it find you outdoors surrounded by nature.

2007-05-21T17:35:00.000-04:00

Yes, it was a big birding weekend, but in the midst of all the fine-feathered drama overhead, we couldn’t help but notice the wildflowers decorating the forest floor. And on many wilderness paths, especially those that rarely have human visitors, it’s a trick to avoid stepping on them.

Everyone oohs and ahhs over the red trillium and painted trillium. The red trillium, sometimes called purple trillium, is neither red nor purple. It’s a beautiful shade of maroon with lovely dark green foliage. The amount of reddish-purple streaking on the painted trillium varies from flower to flower—some have very little coloration while others have a great deal.

Red trillium has a funny folk name—Stinking Benjamin. The name supposedly came about because some people thought the flower smells like a wet dog. With my very young clients, I love to get down on all fours and sniff the flowers to see what they think of the odor and what it reminds them of. Yesterday everyone decided that the odor resembled a slightly fishy smelling riverbank.

The trout lilies, a graceful yellow flower emerging from green spotted foliage, are everywhere, too, and so are the Carolina Spring Beauties (love that name!)

Wild Columbine
And this afternoon, when Sophie and I reached the top of the ledge, I gasped. Growing right along the edge of the cliff were numerous wild columbine wildflowers! They weren't there last May, that's for sure. The only wild columbines I saw in our area last year were over a mile away. So how did they get to one of my favorite wild places? As exposed to the elements as the ledge is, maybe the wind blew the seeds there? Or were seeds deposited by birds or via the scat of another animal? Since there are many plants where there were none before, I'm mystified.

Peak Birding!

2007-05-16T17:01:00.000-04:00

The peak songbird migration days in the Adirondacks have arrived. Lots of warblers and vireos have already come back or have passed through on their way north, but the best days for viewing are now here for the next five to seven days. Even after that, the birding will still be good until early June when we settle down with our resident songbird population.

I was stunned to see a small flock of White-Crowned Sparrows hopping in the area that was once an inground swimming pool. The white stripes on their head are striking. They won't stay, though--they're on their way to Canada for the summer.

And, while I was discussing plans for an addition to our gardening deck with the carpenter, a bluebird landed on a fencepost in the field below. This is the first time I've seen a bluebird on our property. I went beserk, of course, and the carpenter probably thinks I'm a lunatic, which I am, I suppose, so who cares?

Oh, I'd love it if a bluebird pair would stay and breed here. I would've asked Ken to build a bluebird box if I had known they'd be dropping in. Next year we'll place one in an optimal location. For bluebirds, that would be on the edge of the field next to the woods.

I can't convince any of my friends to go mountain birding with me, up to the boreal forest on top of Crane Mountain. (Boreal forest in our area starts at about 2800 feet.) Guess I'll have to go on my own, which I don't mind at all, really. Are you free on Memorial Day Weekend? I'm leading a boreal birding mountain trip on Sunday the 27th.

Phew! My Bird is Back

2007-05-11T17:16:00.000-04:00

I was a bit worried early in the week. The yellowthroats had not returned, and last year they arrived on May 3rd. There were no frontal systems or storms holding them up that I could determine, so where were they?

In the early spring every birder worries about late arrivals, wondering if the winter season in Central America, South America, Mexico, Texas, Florida, or the rest of the southern U.S. was too difficult for them. But believe me, winter weather in their southern habitats is the least of the songbirds' problems. What is causing alarming declines in songbird populations is the destruction of their winter habitats to development and agriculture, which deprives them of food and shelter. Every year fewer and fewer birds return to their summer breeding grounds in the North.

Of course, loss of habitat due to development is a crucial problem here as well. If birds don't have the space and the places they need to breed and raise their young, they are unsuccessful in producing offspring.

In any case, if you are concerned about this issue, there is an excellent new book available written by the Canadian biologist Bridget Stutchbury, Silence of the Songbirds: How We Are Losing the World's Songbirds and What We Can Do to Save Them.

If you would like to listen to an outstanding hour-long interview with Stutchbury, go to the May 9 broadcast of Tom Ashbrook's "On Point" program. You can listen to it online or download it. Ken and I listened to it during dinner last night and were quite moved by it.

On Wednesday morning, May 9, I shuffled out in my bathrobe with my binocs and lo! I heard the yellowthroats singing their hearts out. I ran back inside and dressed hurriedly, then rushed down to the stream and the very young deciduous woodland that surrounds it. And I found a couple hopping around and flying from tree to tree, singing the "witchery witchery witchery" song. Hurrah!

2007-05-09T18:04:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day Morning Birding & Wildflower Adventure 9am-12pm $20/adults; $10 children

The two days I spent hiking near Lake George were simply beautiful. The weather was perfect--sunny and not too warm, unlike today which got up to a dry 83 degrees.

The trail I found deep in the Lake George Wilderness in Fort Ann was spectacular. A wide carriage trail led to a spectacular waterfall, then descended to the shores to a sheltered bay on the east side of Lake George. What a delightful place to sit on a warm day, under the white and red pines of Sheltered Rock Bay. I wished I'd had a picnic and a good book with me.

I must confess it took me forever to find this unmarked trail. The guide I had took liberties with the English language--very confusing directions. Eventually, after much driving and hiking down dead ends, I found it, and it was well worth the frustration. Still, it's a very long drive from the village of Lake George and is not for everyone.

Can you believe I still haven't forced myself to sit down with my new camera's manual? As a result I have to rely on this photo of Lake George taken from the top of Buck Mountain, which is in the general area where I hiked yesterday.

From Mosses to Lake George

2007-05-07T18:46:00.000-04:00

Last week my favorite Adirondack naturalist called me and asked if I'd like to go on a moss exploration. Would I! I nearly leapt out of my chair. She has been studying mosses and clubmosses for years and I'm eager to know more, mostly because it is so difficult to learn the names of mosses and to get information about mosses in the Northeast. There is no "Field Guide of Mosses" for the East, for instance, so what's a naturalist to do?

Evelyn invited another botanist to come along, so I had the benefit of two experts' instruction. Learning to use a hand lens was so interesting. I own four of them, and now I'll be able to give my clients a microscopic view of the moss world. I learned a tremendous amount, and not only from the direct teaching. It was lots of fun to see them interact and come to a meeting of the minds on moss and liverwort identification.

The ridge was an interesting habitat, primarily red pine with a bit of white pine mixed in, not at all the habitat that I'm accustomed to in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. Not alot of vegetation, but plenty of moss. And some great views of the Mill Creek Valley.

Today found me exploring trails near Lake George. I climbed Pilot Knob Ridge, which is land owned by the Lake George Land Conservancy, a wonderful group doing all it can to preserve land in an area that is overwhelmed by privately owned land. From the top of Pilot Knob Ridge, there's a gorgeous view of Lake George, Crane Mountain, Gore Mountain, and a few of the High Peaks. Incredible!

2007-05-05T17:11:00.000-04:00

May always finds me scrambling to squeeze everything I need and want to do at this time of year into one short month. The biggest push me--pull me is dividing my "leisure" time between nature activities and the garden. Birding and wildflower hiking is never better than in May, which is exactly the time I need to be tending my seedling farm and preparing the deck garden for all the vegetables and fruit plants that will grow in containers there.

This year I'm going to attempt to grow Tristar strawberries, an everbearing variety, in a large half-wine barrel given to me by neighbors who spend most of their year living in Long Island next to a large commercial vineyard. It's supposed to be easy to grow strawberries?? Our fields are also chock full of wild strawberries. Last June they were on the verge of perfection when seven inches of rain fell. When the deluge ended, I went out in mud boots and discovered they had all turned to a bland strawberry mush!

My Concord grapes did not come through the winter too well. The loads of April snow from two huge snowstorms came tumbling off our metal roof and not only sheared our second-floor balcony off the house but also crashed our fledgling grape arbor. Fortunately the arbor was new and didn't involve the loss of vines in their prime. Now we know where not to put the arbor.

New blueberry plants are coming any day now as well. Then there's all the squashes, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers I'm growing in the furnace room under lights. And Ken and I are planning other outdoor yard and garden improvements, though we won't be planting anything other than what's on the deck. Who can beat the incredible display of wildflowers that bloom in our fields from June until October? All my gardening effort goes into food production and I let Mother Nature provide the flower show.

And how do you manage everything there is to do outdoors in May... and get your regular work done? If you have strategies, please share them by posting a comment.

2007-05-01T13:42:00.000-04:00

News Flash: Sunny, warm weather for This Weekend's Birding Safaris!!
Early Spring Migrants Hikes: Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6 9am-2pm

Yesterday's high winds have made a huge impact on drying the trails. I'm so glad--That means it's time to hike into the really wild places in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. The mountains need some more time to dry out, but I'll be climbing soon. Sunny, warm weather will rush this process, and we're due for this weather later this week and through the weekend.

Painted Trillium
I am so yearning to see wildflowers. I haven't spotted a single one yet, but they'll be appearing with the warm weather coming. Trout lilies, yellow wood violets, and red and painted trillium will brighten the woods still covered with last fall's leaves. It's time to pack my watercolor pencils and my nature journal and do some journaling.

Birding in My Bathrobe

2007-04-29T12:21:00.000-04:00

Early mornings usually find me slow to recover consciousness. The first thing I do is to brew a cup of tea or coffee. I then shuffle to the couch where I sit, sip, and read until I drain the cup, and only then can I force myself off the couch and out the door. That's right, I go out in my zip-up sweatshirt-style bathrobe first thing in the morning all the time, no matter what season it is. (I put on my muck boots first, though.)

I walk with binocs in hand, searching the trees, bushes, and sky for movement. If it's sunny, I perch on one of the rocks in our fields and wait for the birds to come to me. I've even been known to walk a few hundred feet down our mountain road in this attire. That's one of the great things about living in the wilderness. There's no one to know or care what I do. After about a half hour or hour, I go home, eat breakfast, and yes, I do get dressed so that I can get out in the woods without snaring or tearing my bathrobe.

No new migrants this morning. But the mosses and reindeer lichen are so lush--they make the otherwise dull landscape--all grays, browns, and tans--resonate green. I'm trying like crazy to add sketches and drawings to my nature journal, but because I haven't done any art work in about five or six years, I'm finding no end to the mental barriers I'm putting up. Just do it, I say. I'll try again today.

2007-04-27T12:33:00.000-04:00

I'm looking out on a dark and dreary world today. It's been raining, not too hard, but after my wilderness excursion with Sophie early this morning, I'd just as soon not hop in the car for the errands I planned to do. So, with most Adirondack hiking trails muddy and uninviting today, I'm settling for being indoors with wildlife.

I'm brushing up on my bird songs online and on CD. Have you ever visited "All about Birds," part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website? I consider it one of the best birding sites. Each individual bird entry includes a link to the song and call of each bird. Besides all the information about bird species, the site also includes several games and even a "Quiz of the Week." Do you have a favorite birding website? If so, please share by leaving a comment.

I'm also reading Coyote: Seeking the Hunter in Our Midst by Catherine Reid. Reid's a wonderful nature writer who lives in Western Massachusetts and her research, observations, and encounters with coyotes make this book a must-read for fans of Canis latrans.

My Viewpoint article "Coyotes of the Adirondacks" will be appearing in the July issue of Adirondack Explorer. I also wrote an article "Women Guides of the Adirondacks" for that issue. If you love the Adirondack wilderness, you'll enjoy getting acquainted with this publication.

Finally! Winds from the South

2007-04-26T13:03:00.000-04:00

After an entire week of winds from the north and northwest, at long last we have southern breezes today. And why am I excited about that? Migrating birds rush north when they have a tail wind to ease their way. Birders from downstate this morning reported that hawks are migrating in droves today. If only I could climb a mountain peak this afternoon to see them, but our mountains are still snow-covered, and where the snow has melted, there's mud. It's really best to stay off the mountain trails in these conditions to avoid damaging them. In any case, tomorrow morning there'll be lots of migrating warblers and other birds to see.

On our hike this morning, Sophie and I were wowed by a very muddy red fox dashing across the road in front of us. He had a large rodent in his mouth, and was surely on his way to the den to feed the mother of his pups. For the next two months, we'll be much more likely to see foxes and coyotes in the mornings as they scramble to feed their families.

Birds from Dawn til Dusk

2007-04-23T12:11:00.000-04:00

Going to the Birds and Wildflowers Nature Hike
Sat. April 29 9:30 am--2:00 pm

Deep snow still rules in the woods, but I've gone and hung up my snowshoes for this season. Temperatures have been in the 70s, and today we're topping 78 degrees, so it won't linger for long.

Spring birding is now in full swing. New arrivals in the past few days: white-throated sparrows (and their beautiful song), blue-headed vireos, yellow-rumped warblers, one black-throated green warbler, and I swear I heard a yellow warbler near the wetlands up the road. It's a week early for them, but not out of the question.

There's nothing like finding a comfortable rock to sit on by a stream or swamp and sitting still waiting and listening intently for bird sounds and movement. Birding in the wilderness allows the birder to focus completely, because there are no human-made sounds to distract--no planes, trucks, cars, lawnmowers, chainsaws, dogs barking, or human voices.

Don't Give Up on Spring!

2007-04-13T14:12:00.000-04:00

April has been incredibly wintry, more so than January was this year. From my home office, I've been imagining the greening of the birch and maple trees out my window as I plan all kinds of spring nature adventures. I do believe the black flies will appear later than usual. I don't think there's a chance of them showing up before the 15th of May.

So what kind of safari suits you? This spring there's nature journaling, wilderness watercolor journaling, lots of birding adventures, and wildflower and butterfly treks. And, of course, plenty of mountain hiking.

Bicknell's Thrush
In related news, I'm going to be a volunteer for the Mountain Birdwatch program through the Audubon Society and the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. Between June 1-June 21, I'll be scrambling up Crane Mountain at dawn to search for Bicknell's Thrush, a thrush that has been in the news a great deal. It's on the Audubon Watchlist, and is currently the Neotropical migrant of highest conservation priority. In New York State, Bicknell's Thrush can only be found on mountain elevations higher than 2800 feet. Crane tops out at about 3300 feet or so, so I'll be hiking (softly), listening, and recording the thrush's song on the top 500 feet of trail. I love every inch of Crane Mountain, so none of this will be a hardship. I can't think of another place I'd rather be at dawn.

A Peak Snowshoe Trip & Spring Event Planning

2007-03-30T16:40:00.000-04:00

The skiers' snowshoe adventure on Wednesday was beyond belief, it was so wonderful. First of all, the weather could not have been more perfect--not a cloud in the bluest of skies and temps neither too warm nor too cold. But the best part were thewomen--what a group! Enthusiastic, witty, funny, and full of good spirits. I don't know when I've laughed so much or so hard. It was a "10" kind of day. I wish I had some photos to show--many were taken, but not by me, due to a sad camera death. A new one is on the way because I can't bear not to be able to record the kind of peak experience we all shared on Wednesday.

Spring Birding Safaris Are Underway
At home I've been up in my office, working fiendishly on the Spring version of the Adirondack Safaris website. Many spring birding, hiking, and wildflower events have been planned for April and May, and, new this year, two Nature Journaling workshops in late April (before the black flies make it hard to sit still in the wilderness.)

If you like the idea of visually and verbally recording your experiences as you hike, you may wish to check out the Nature Journaling Workshop on Saturday, April 21 and the Wilderness Watercolor Journaling on Saturday, April 28, with noted and award-winning Adirondack watercolorist Kate Hartley. I can't wait. My watercolor pencils are all set to go!

We're Still Snowshoeing

2007-03-27T18:08:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow I'll be snowshoe guiding a group of women downhill skiers from the Gore Mountain Ladie's Escape program. The skis will stay at home, although there's still many days of spring skiing left at the mountain. The Big Snowshoe Day is the group's end-of-the season event, and afterwards, we'll head to The Black Mountain for a delicious lunch. They're a gung ho group, and that will make the day lots of fun. I'm hoping that at the wild pond where the otters hang out, we'll see lots of tracks. With tomorrow's promise of bright sun, we'll be hearing a symphony of birds, and may see mink, fisher,and beaver scrambling about.

It's official: Garnet Hill Lodge in North River is hosting a Birding Discovery Package Weekend during the peak songbird migration, May 18-20, and I'm so glad I'm going to be the birding guide. I'm looking forward to birding with a group that I'll have the time to really get to know. Please follow the link above for details. I'll be sharing more about it in coming days.

A Surprise on Kibby Creek

2007-03-23T17:28:00.000-04:00

The warm temperatures (50 degrees for a high today) and bright sun are really changing the Adirondack world. For one thing, the birds are singing, chirping, and squawking madly. The sound of many creeks and streams running full-tilt fills the air. This morning Sophie and I were walking early, before the road could defrost from last night's below freezing temps.

We heard the Kibby Creek waterfall roaring from fifty feet away, though the entire waterfall area was still covered with snow. Sophie and I laid bets on exactly when the snow would collapse. As we walked up the road alongside the creek, a flash of movement made my head turn toward the creek's opposite bank. A fisher! Dark, handsome, and thick-furred, he ran alongside the creek, every now and then stopping to peer into the rushing water. He didn't observe me, and the snowbanks hid Sophie, so I had a crystal-clear, lengthy viewing. Oh, thank you! He ran closer to us, then suddenly leapt, turned around, and dove into the creek. An unforgettable moment.

And now, a brief and very exciting bit of family news. The home of Adirondack Safaris, Ken, Judith, and Sophie are preparing for the arrival of Luke!! May Luke grow to be a hiker and a lover of ponds and lakes. (I don't think we have cause to worry on either point because Luke is a yellow Lab.) Luke is very special because he's the son of our two all-time favorite Adirondack Labs, Gracie and Hudson, owned by our friends in Minerva. Luke will be coming home in two weeks.

Judith and Ken cradling four week-old Luke

2007-03-18T15:30:00.000-04:00

Incredible snowshoeing in the Crane Mountain Reservation yesterday. An early forecast said there would be snow showers all day, so I didn't bring my camera, and was I sorry. Magnificent views of Crane Mountain from every angle, beautiful beaver swamps, and the tracks! Mink, least weasel, and red squirrel, and all kinds of evidence that indicated the forest was alive with animals when temps rose to 60 degrees last week.

Have you ever seen signs of pileated woodpeckers going beserk? My client and I did. The warm temps caused dormant insects deep inside the tree trunks to become active, and it seemed that everywhere we hiked on Friday and Saturday, we ran into signs that the pileated woodpecker had made a recent visit. He (and she!) prepared for feasting by digging big wood chips from the outer trunk layers to get at the insects inside using his long bill. The bugs must've tasted great after a long winter of slim pickings.

Snowshoeing in Shorts and T-Shirt?

2007-03-13T17:44:00.000-04:00

Easy Mountain Snowshoeing Sun. March 18
The weather on Sunday is predicted to be in the high 30s, with a chance of a light flurry. Perfect for snowshoeing!

Vernal Equinox Snowshoe Celebration Sat. March 24

And, of course, Personalized Snowshoe Safaris Anytime

Today the temperature rose to a high of 56 degrees. Too warm, too soon, in my opinion. Our mountain road is awash with mud. Tomorrow when the rains come, I may not get my minivan up the mountain and I'll have to be rescued by Black Bear, Ken's hefty Toyota pick-up.

I was out snowshoeing today in a light-weight fleece top over a jersey and some slacks. I didn't wear shorts, but I could have. The only problem would have been the sopping wet, icy snow I kicked up with each step. Fortunately for the snow lovers, a cold front is coming through on Friday.

Yesterday I snowshoed on a trail just to the west of the western slopes of Gore Mountain, the wild side of the mountain. To get there, I had to snowshoe within sight of Chatiemac Lake, a private lake. (I was on a New York State trail.) People owning lakes and parts of rivers do get my dander up from time to time, especially when they own them in the Adirondack Park, the largest state park in the country. In my opinion, no one should own the waters of the world or the shorelines of oceans, as is the case in England.

Warmer, and the Snowshoeing is Better than Ever

2007-03-11T18:02:00.000-04:00

Winter Wilderness Birding Wed. March 14
Easy Mountain Snowshoeing Sun. March 18
Vernal Equinox Snowshoe Celebration Sat. March 24
And, of course, Personalized Snowshoe Safaris Anytime

I love discovering abandoned houses in the wilderness.

It's great--the thawing during the day and the freezing at night is making the snowshoeing better than ever. The freeze-up at night is firming the snow, so my feet don't sink down a foot when snowshoeing. Super! We have weeks of snowshoeing ahead of us despite the above-freezing temperatures. There's so much snow, we'll be snowshoeing into April. When I was out today, a pileated woodpecker settled on a tree right next to me. He walked up to the very top, going out on a fragile limb, and, I suppose, decided that pecking insects out of this tree was just not worth it.

I'm having camera problems. My camera frame thing came loose while hiking and the camera slammed down onto a hard surface, making all the batteries pop out. Not healthy for camera. I'm now getting bad blurriness in 4 out of 5 photos. Strange. I take a bunch of blurries and then the next is clear as a bell. Go figure. Time for a new camera. I can't live without one, and especially not now as winter turns to spring. If you have a digital camera that's reasonably priced and takes great nature shots, please let me know by writing a comment. Thanks!

Warm-Up for the Weekend

2007-03-06T18:43:00.000-05:00

I'm not happy if I can't get out for at least an hour or two in the wilderness each morning. Yes, I know, I'm spoiled rotten living where I do, but the cold today was out of my league of tolerance. -25 to -35 windchill isn't something I can deal with no matter how many handwarmers, toewarmers, turtle furs, sweaters, and face masks I put on. And tonight, we're going to -25 degrees. No, that's not the windchill factor. That's how cold it's going to get Fahrenheit.

Tomorrow it's supposed to get up to 15 degrees as a high temp, and I don't care about the damn windchill, I'm going downhill skiing. I'm also going for a hike with the dog on the mountain road.

The good news we'll be starting to warm-up by Friday, and warmer temps are on the way for the weekend and beyond.

Kate Hartley, a well-known watercolorist in North River, and I met today, or should I say, huddled today, at Marsha's Restaurant in North Creek to plan our April 28th Wilderness Watercolor Journaling Day. Doesn't that sound like fun? I'm always trying to put together wilderness experiences that are different, fun, and combine the arts with hiking and the outdoors. Stay tuned as I get our information up on the website!

2007-03-04T17:27:00.000-05:00

It's Back! The Snowshoe & Yoga Escape Package
Saturday, March 10 10-5pm $55

Winter Wilderness Birding
Wednesday, March 14 10-2pm $20

Personalized Safaris Any Day!

I headed out on snowshoes this morning and went crazy over the clouds. There was intermittent sunshine, snow flurries, and snow showers. Low, low clouds kept wafting over in an irregular pattern, moving very rapidly, and changing the landscape dramatically from minute to minute. I love it when we have lake-effect snow showers. It's amazing to me that they originate as far west and north as the Great Lakes and still manage to drop snow here in the southeastern Adirondacks.

Looking at Gore Mountain Enveloped in Lake-Effect Snow
When I was snowshoeing with a client last weekend in the northernmost Siamese Ponds Wilderness region, we met some people who said that breaking trail in deep snow on snowshoes consumes 1,000 calories an hour. At first I was dubious, and then I realized that when I'm breaking trail, the exertion makes me stop from time to time to catch my breath. Consequently, there are pauses, and in an hour I'm not continuously breaking trail. Given this fact, and the endurance it takes to break trail at all in deep snow, I'll bet it may be possible that the effort could burn 1,000 calories in an hour, if one could do it without stopping, which no one I know can. Still, if you do it, you can have that extra scoop of ice cream with fudge sauce!

More Snow!

2007-03-02T15:32:00.000-05:00

Looking for Adventure this Snowy Weekend?
March 3 Snowshoeing & Animal Tracking
March 4 Winter Wilderness Birding

Late this morning I was very worried. The National Weather Service changed its "snow and sleet" forecast to "rain and freezing rain" for the Siamese Ponds Wilderness region (North Creek, Johnsburg, North River). But at one o'clock this afternoon the freezing rain changed to wet snow, and an hour later a fluffy snow was falling. Yay! We'll be dealing with some icy crustiness underfoot, but with more snow in the forecast, we're all set for the great snowshoeing and skiing to continue.

Photo of skier at Gore Mountain by Brian Wallace
And, better yet, another cold blast and more snow is coming through early next week. I'm happy we're going to be able to hang on to the white stuff. I don't see how we'll see bare ground until April. I'd like to keep the snow, not just for Adirondack Safaris' March events, but because I love the wilderness in winter. I love being able to see the mountains through the trees--the views are so beautiful.

March Snowshoeing

2007-02-26T17:49:00.000-05:00

This winter, March is going to go down as the best snowshoeing month of all. The three feet of snow that fell on Valentine's Day has settled and has been packed down by hardy Adirondack snowshoers. If you're into snowshoeing, March is the time to do it! This snow will be here all month. Call 518-251-3006 to reserve your own snowshoe safari.

First Time Snowshoeing? No Problem!

2007-02-26T17:31:00.000-05:00

Gosh, Saturday was a gorgeous day! Not a cloud in the deepest of blue skies. Even on a cold day as Saturday was, the sun was warming and all the active snowshoers stayed toasty warm.

Saturday's safari was on the shores of a beautiful lake in the northern realm of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. I had the pleasure of guiding a couple who had never snowshoed before and were eager to try it. They were amazed to see how easy snowshoeing is, and what a great workout it is for both the upper and lower body. They were fascinated by Adirondack animals, and between all the animal tracks and the beaver lodge, there was alot to talk about. It was a peak experience kind of day, when the weather showed off the wilderness for the beauty it is, and everything we did was fun.

Sunday I guided a snowshoe-experienced, adventurous woman deeper into the wilderness, and I mean deep, in every sense of the word. We reached a point where no one has trekked since the Valentine's Day blizzard, and that meant breaking trail. It was fun, and I was delighted to discover that unlike the day after the storm, I was no longer sinking down three feet with every step. More like two feet, and that's a big improvement. And did we see tracks! Otter, mink, and probably pine marten near Peaked Mountain Brook and near the beaver meadows. We were awed by the beauty, and it was rewarding to share the majesty with a kindred soul.

Animal Tracking Workshop--Otter Tracks!

2007-02-21T17:43:00.000-05:00

Red Squirrel Tracks
Evelyn Greene, Adirondack naturalist par excellence, gathered a group of tracking fanatics for a workshop with Ellen Rathbone, an animal tracking expert, at the Newcomb VIC Center yesterday afternoon. We had an hour of instruction indoors followed by a two-hour snowshoeing tracking expedition on the VIC trails. Lots of fun people all sharing the same interests made for an exciting day. We're investigating red squirrel tracks in the photo above.

We saw oodles of mink tracks, and a few pine marten tracks, but I was most excited by the otter slide tracks we saw. Otters love sliding down slopes and banks into icy water. It's their favorite winter sport. We didn't see any otters--I'm still waiting for that big moment--but the slide marks were remarkable, as you can see from the photo below. Well, they're remarkable if you're into otters, that is!

Easy Mountain Snowshoeing--Sun. Feb. 25

2007-02-17T18:06:00.000-05:00

People are already signing up for next Sunday's "Easy Mountain Snowshoeing" event. With slightly warming temperatures by mid-week and plenty of snow, the conditions should be perfect for the hike. If we could just order a cloudless day, everything would be perfect!

Easy Mountain Snowshoeing sounds like an oxymoron, and, in a way, it is. Hiking up any mountain, whether one's in snowshoes or not, has a measure of difficulty. But the "Easy" in the title refers to the fact that the trail up this beautiful southern Adirondack mountain is not steep and is never narrow. It's considered by many snowshoers to be the easiest mountain climb around, and people do not need advanced skills to manage it. If you've always wanted to tackle a mountain on snowshoes, this is the safari for you.

That said, the hike is physically demanding and requires that a person be in good physical shape, i.e. exercising aerobically on a regular basis, at least 3 times a week.

What happens if the mountain trail has not been blazed by other snowshoers? Rest assured, we will not be climbing any mountain where our snowshoes are doomed to sink with each step in 2-3 feet of snow! I'll be inspecting the trail two days before the trip. If the trail is not seasoned by Friday Feb. 23, an alternate adventure will be scheduled. For more information, follow the link to my website, or contact me. (Contact information provided on the Adirondack Safaris website.)

Three Feet of Snow!

2007-02-15T18:14:00.000-05:00

If I ever finish shoveling out our doorways and exits covered by 9-foot drifts, I'll be out snowshoeing and skiing. In these parts, people are hard pressed to name the last time a storm of this magnitude dumped a similar depth of snow. Three feet in 24 hours, whew!

Getting High on the Scent of Balsam Fir--Yoga & Snowshoe EscapeYesterday I put on my snowshoes and started to blaze a trail in the afternoon. It was incredibly difficult because with each step my foot went down so deep that I was covered with snow up to my mid-thigh. Usually I'm less than pleased when a snowmobile whizzes past me, but right now, some packed snow will sure come in handy. With the February vacation around the corner, the snowmobiles will be out in full force.

Yoga and Snowshoe Escape!

2007-02-12T17:15:00.000-05:00

Next Snowshoe & Yoga Escape: Sat. March 10

Susanne Murtha, owner of Yoga in the Adirondacks, and I had a fantastic time on Saturday with our Yoga and Snowshoe Escape. We had eight people--both men and women--participating. Everyone arrived a little before 10 am and warmed up with some hot herbal tea before the yoga practice.

Susanne's yoga studio is a dream. Huge picture windows look out on the majesty of Eleventh Mountain, and students face the incredible view as they exercise. My toes get all excited about the toasty warm, heated wood flooring. So welcome on a cold February morning!

While everyone stretched, I drove to North Creek to pick up the catered lunch prepared at Cafe Sarah's. At twelve, we talked and ate, and then I outlined the hike into the Siamese Ponds Wilderness we were all about to take. No one needed snowshoes, so we all used Yaktrax Pros or crampons as well as trekking poles.
It was a beautiful afternoon. The mountain views were clearly visible. We hiked all the way to my favorite spot on the trail, down bordering the Sacandaga River. (See photo.) I was glad the golden-crowned kinglets decided to tseet-tseet for everyone.

On the hike the group carried on several conversations. Susanne talked in greater detail about some health and wellness topics relating to the morning's yoga session. I chatted with folks about chickadee language, which I've been studying lately.

We studied trees, including beech trees afflicted with Beech-Bark Disease, a scourge that will one day wipe out the beeches.

After the hike, everyone was tired, but in good spirits. Back in Susanne's studio, as I warmed the milk for our hot chocolate and cookies, I asked people to choose a word to describe what they were feeling. "Exhilirated," "Content," "Energized," "Happy," and "At Peace," were a few of the responses. And for me? I felt "Ecstatic" because we had a great day and everything went without a hitch!

The Blue Jay, on the Decline, Gets a Bad Rap

2007-02-09T15:34:00.000-05:00

Upcoming Safaris:
Easy Mountain Snowshoeing Sun. Feb. 18

February Vacation Week: Family Nature Hikes
"How do Adirondack Animals Survive the Winter"?
Offered on 3 separate days:
Wed. Feb 21, Fri. Feb. 23, Sat. Feb. 24

The much-maligned blue jay is on my mind today. Lots of people rag on blue jays because they tend to take over feeding stations at times and make it difficult for smaller birds to get seed. It's true; like any large bird or animal, they have first dibs on whatever food is available.

Yet blue jays urgently need wintertime feeding as much as the smaller birds. The number of jays have been declining in recent years, particularly in the East, though ornithologists are not sure exactly why.

The other largely unfounded accusation hurled at blue jays is that they steal eggs and newborn birds from the nests of other birds. Fact: A comprehensive study of blue jays discovered that only one percent of blue jays had either egg or nestling remains in their stomachs. Blue jays predominantly dine on insects and nuts.

As far as managing the gluttonous appetites of these handsome birds, why not try broadcasting seed on the ground over a large area, or hang feeders specifically for smaller birds.

I love having my eight bluejays in the yard and hope when spring and summer comes they turn their gluttony on the mosquitoes!

Searching for Otters

2007-02-07T17:19:00.000-05:00

Upcoming Safaris:
Easy Mountain Snowshoeing Sun. Feb. 18

February Vacation Week: Family Nature Hikes
"How do Adirondack Animals Survive the Winter?"
Offered on 3 separate days:
Wed. Feb 21, Fri. Feb. 23, Sat. Feb. 24

The day that Sophie and I skiied on Cod Pond (Well, I skied and Sophie ran), we searched for otter tracks. Last summer while paddling all over the pond I observed otter scat on some of the largest boulders dotting the shoreline. Try as we might, though, we didn't see any tracks or other evidence of otters. Although there is open water nearby, they may have moved to another body of water for the winter.

The Snowshoe & Yoga Escape is this Saturday, February 10. Susanne Murtha (owner of Yoga in the Adirondacks) and I have at least eight people signed up with room for a few more. After a morning of yoga and a catered lunch, we'll snowshoe along the East Branch of the Sacandaga River, which is a perfect winter habitat for river otters. I'll keep my eyes out for tracks.

2007-02-01T17:56:00.000-05:00

Winter Wilderness Birding with the Naturalist
Sun. Feb. 4 and Wed. Feb. 7

What's Happened to the Evening Grosbeaks?

2007-02-01T17:42:00.000-05:00

Last week when I was out birding in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, a number of people mentioned that they don't see evening grosbeaks at their feeders anymore. Years ago, evidently, they were plentiful, and now it's rare to see them.

Ornithologists are quite concerned about this, too, and are studying the question. Some scientists believe that when the spruce budworm population declines in an area, the evening grosbeaks move on. I'm going to have to research this further, but I thought that the spruce budworm is doing very well here, which is unfortunate for the spruce forests.

I have only seen a few during the past year, but I wonder if there may be more contributing factors at work than budworms.

Did you know that there's a way that you can help scientists with these issues? Participate in The Great Backyard Bird Count on Feb. 16-19. If you don't have a feeder, you may want to purchase or make one so your family can participate. Kids love this project!

Winter at Its Best...and more Kinglets

2007-01-28T16:33:00.000-05:00

Winter Wilderness Birding with the Naturalist
Sun. Feb. 4 and Wed. Feb. 7

Since the New Year, I've been wanting, trying, wishing I could find a way to post an entry about three times a week. But the obstacle the past two weeks has been the arrival of real winter, and with it, the primordial urge to enjoy winter sports to the hilt before the season decides to duck out.

Everyone I know is finding ways to put their lives on hold so they can get in some backcountry skiing, cross-country skiing at Garnet Hill, and downhill skiing at Gore Mountain. Then there are the adventurous folks I know who have slipped crampons onto their boots for a hike up Crane Mountain (Yeah, it's icy on those rocks!). To be truthful, I can't keep track of all the day trips my friends are taking.

Today Sophie and I skiied all over a beautiful pond in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. Funny, there was very little snow on the pond, but just enough to ski all over and into the marshy areas. We were the only ones out there; oh, I do love those Lewis & Clark moments.

Golden-Crowned Kinglets: I did promise more information on these tiny birds that spend all their time in the spruces and fir trees of the Adirondacks. One amazing fact about these birds is that they raise two broods each year. As soon as the first broods flies the coop, the mother immediately lays the second family of eggs. Meanwhile her mate continues to feed the first brood until they're ready to take over on their own.

Golden-Crowned Kinglets

2007-01-22T15:25:00.000-05:00

During my snowy winter wilderness prowls, I've been watching the Golden-Crowned Kinglets. At times they evade me and my binoculars by hiding in the spruce-tops and balsam fir-tops. But at other times, I'm able to get a clear focus on them. They're such tiny birds, much smaller than chickadees. They dine all day on insects and their eggs, by pecking away at the spruce and fir trees.

I have much more I plan to say about them, but I have a deadline this afternoon and must rush away now until tomorrow morning.

But do join me on a Winter Wilderness Bird Hike on Sunday, February 4. Just 15 minutes from Gore Mountain!

A Word about Adirondack Coyotes

2007-01-14T12:53:00.000-05:00

Ever since I met a coyote just four miles from the Boston city limits 17 years ago, I've been fascinated by this extraordinary canine. What's most amazing to me is the coyote's ability to thrive despite enormous efforts to eliminate or limit its population and range.

Many coyotes live very close to us here in our southern Adirondack home. Only very rarely do I see them, and usually only at night. When there's no moon, all I can see are their eyes, staring at me as I put the trash securely(!) in the garage. During the day I study their tracks and examine their scat, for a clue as to their current menu, which varies from month to month, season to season.

I search for their tracks, and love to photograph them and compare them with Sophie's tracks, with Zack's tracks (a Labrador neighbor), and with other dog tracks I come across. It is not always a simple task to distinguish coyote tracks from dog tracks. I can easily distinguish Sophie's tracks from a coyote's, because her front paws are so wide. The tricky task is to be positive I am viewing coyote tracks on hiking trails away from home.

Dogs tend to have a swaggering gait, a loose-legged bouncing run--how should I describe it best? They often run with exuberance, and their legs go all over the place. A coyote, on the other hand, usually travels with an economy of movement, each foot seeming to be precisely placed. But--and here's the big but--a dog is able to run or trot with a similar economy, so one cannot distinguish the tracks based on gait alone.

The individual coyote track is narrower overall than a dog track. This, too, is a generality. In addition, and here's what's really tricky, a dog's two outer toes or pads, one on each side, are angled slightly out away from the center of the foot. The coyote's print, in contrast, appears more compact, the toes appear closer together.

Please keep in mind, I am only discussing coyotes of the Adirondacks here. Western coyotes differ in many ways, and, though I've never compared them, the identification of tracks issues may be different, too.

All I Can Say Is "Snow!"

2007-01-10T17:37:00.000-05:00

The leaves of the American Beech hang on all winter long.Yes, the white stuff has covered the Gore Mountain region, and dreams of snowshoeing and backcountry skiing have finally been fulfilled. Best of all, we have a chance of hanging onto it for at least awhile due to the wintry cold. Tonight we should bottom out at about one below zero.

Of the entire region, Indian Lake has the most snow, and North River has enough for some excellent skiing. So I'm ready to head out on the trails hugging Thirteenth Lake and on up to Peaked Mountain. If the weather stays cold, and if we keep getting shots of snow as we have been, there will be excellent snowshoeing on the bogs and ponds of the northernmost Siamese Ponds Wilderness.

Right here at the house, next to the southernmost SPW, there's not quite enough for snow sports, but the ground is beautifully frozen again after the mud of last week, and Sophie and I are able to "make the rounds."

Long-Term Weather Forecast: The National Weather Service has reported that seasonably wintry temperatures are to return as time goes along. Hmmm...They don't specify when, but you know what I'm hoping for!

Ringin' In the New Year on Eleventh Mountain

2006-12-31T16:46:00.000-05:00

A little Alberta clipper whizzed through the Adirondack Mountains yesterday, and since I've been on a roll with bushwhacking, I decided to climb Eleventh Mountain. Sophie insisted she wanted to come along, so the two of us headed out to enjoy a mountain bushwhack in the snow.

Eleventh Mountain is enchanting because it is so wild. There are no public trails to the upper elevations, and the chances of finding anyone else climbing Eleventh are next to nil. That's what makes this trip, and others to trailless Siamese Ponds Wilderness peaks, so special. All you need to safely enjoy deep wilderness is a guide to show you the way.

Speaking of which, there are some places available in my mid-week January Snowshoe Safaris. And what do we do if there's little or no snow? We'll just slip the Yaktrax on our boots and hike the wilderness trails.

Adirondack Wilderness: Late December

2006-12-26T16:34:00.000-05:00

All this holiday vacation week, winter hiking in the Adirondacks wilderness is what's hot. The predicted heavy snow did not make its way to the Gore Mountain region, but below-freezing temperatures will make hiking on wilderness trails a cinch, as long as you have some Yaktrax slipped onto your boots.

The ferns and mosses are still lush, the winter birds are having a wonderful time in the unseasonable warmth, and the firs, spruces, and pines are brightening the forest. Do you know your Adirondack evergreens? Come and learn about them and the winter habits of the northeastern coyote, deer, moose, fishers, beavers, and mink. And let's follow their tracks! The Siamese Ponds Wilderness awaits.

No Snow This Holiday? No Problem!

2006-12-21T08:58:00.000-05:00

Wondering what to do on your holiday vacation with the downhill skiing way below par? Go winter hiking in the Adirondacks wilderness!

Although I bemoan the lack of snow like everyone, I must say that I've never seen winter hiking as good as it is now. Yesterday, the 20th, was a hiker's dream. A frozen Siamese Ponds Wilderness trail with very little ice, cloudless blue skies, and a temperature just above freezing.

My client and I luxuriated in the stillness, feasted our eyes on the extraordinary views of Eleventh Mountain and its neighboring hills, studied animal tracks, and gloried in the wintry beauty of the Sacandaga River.

And when the snow hits, and it will, explore snowshoeing in the Adirondacks wilderness.

Snowshoeing in the Adirondacks

2006-12-14T11:24:00.000-05:00

I was perplexed by an article I read in the New York Times today about snowshoeing. According to surveys and statistics, snowshoeing is a sport that appeals primarily to older people. That hasn't been my experience. From what I've seen, snowshoeing is a sport enjoyed by people of all age groups, including very young children.

As far as wilderness winter explorations are concerned, snowshoes are the easiest and most versatile mode of foot transportation when the snow is more than six inches deep. Adirondack trails are often rife with fallen trees, and snowshoeing over them is so much easier than skiing around them.

Don't get me wrong, I love backcountry skiing; yet in my experience it's necessary to scout a trail immediately before planning a trip to make sure the conditions will support skiing. With snowshoes, there's a need to know a trail, but whatever the conditions throw at you, you're okay with snowshoes. And for those with safety concerns, snowshoes have skis beat for safety hands down.

An Easy Mountain Snowshoe Hike

2006-12-13T11:46:00.000-05:00

No, the title is not an oxymoron. In the southern Adirondacks, there's a beautiful mountain hike with spectacular mountain views. And you don't have to be an expert snowshoer to make it to the summit. Just one caveat, however. We do need at least eight inches of snow. Check out the views from the peak taken during last fall's safaris.

2006-12-08T17:46:00.000-05:00

The temperature did not rise above 14 degrees today, and it felt chilly, though with the sun shining, who could care? Today was the day for Sophie's makeover--she had to have her fur trimmed all over in preparation for our snowy adventures. Neil's Pet Salon in Glens Falls groomed her beautifully, and now the Adirondack weather can throw at us whatever wintry stuff it wants, the snow won't weigh Sophie down.

Last night it got as low as zero, and tonight the mercury will go down to the single numbers. To celebrate, we'll hike tomorrow morning on a notoriously muddy trail that follows the Sacandaga River in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. Frozen mud is my favorite kind of mud, though Sophie is vehement in disagreement. I'll pack a thermos of hot cocoa and a bunch of dog biscuits and we'll venture forth. This trail is a great snowshoe trail, and I need to see if anyone has cleared it. If so, it'll also be terrific for backcountry skiing.

No Snow? Find Peace in the Wilderness

2006-12-06T20:45:00.000-05:00

Everyday it snows. A wee bit. I'm not at all discouraged because the hiking is great. Best of all, many wilderness trails are better than ever because the snowmobile clubs have been out this fall clearing all the fallen trees from the trails. Thank you!

When there is just a little snow on the ground, the snowmobiles are snug in their garages and sheds, and the wilderness is so quiet. Sophie and I stop. We listen. We hear only the chickadees and nuthatches breaking the stillness. We follow the tracks of deer, coyote, and bobcat, and try to learn what they're eating. We're in awe of the roaring brooks and creeks still full from November's heavy rains.

Last winter the wilderness was quiet for months because there was so little snow. I rarely saw another human on my jaunts to wild, desolate, frozen ponds and up hill and ridgetops. I can live without the snow for a little while.

Winter Wilderness Hiking--Soup's On!

2006-12-05T16:32:00.000-05:00

Getting in Shape for Wilderness Snowshoeing?

With nighttime temperatures in the teens and daytimes in the low to mid-twenties, the Siamese Ponds Wilderness trails are frozen and ready for winter hiking. Hooray!

Sophie (my Golden scout) and I were out all morning checking on trails. A light snow was falling in the sunshine, an Adirondack weather condition that is so beautiful. Of course, I'm hoping for a heavy snowfall at this point, so I can lead people into the wilderness on snowshoes and cross-country skis.

And though I'm a snow fanatic, I have to admit there's nothing like the ease of winter hiking. The hunters are gone, the snowmobilers are out of commission, and I have the wilderness to myself. What could be better than that?

If you're a downhill skier as I am, you'll be glad to know that Gore Mountain has been making snow 24 hours a day since Sunday, and winter sports in the region are shaping up. So, come on up before the crowds arrive.

Winter on the Doorstep

2006-11-20T16:06:00.000-05:00

For the second time this fall, Gore Mountain was covered with snow this morning. I'm so psyched! It was a huge surprise, though it shouldn't have been. It snowed a bit here late in the afternoon and early evening, and the temperatures last night went way down into the 20s.

So how are conditions out on the wilderness trails? November was even wetter than that soaking month of October, so much of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness is an overloaded sponge. We need frigid nights (which we're getting this week) and cooler day temperatures to freeze the trails and prepare them for winter hiking, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing. It shouldn't be long before conditions are excellent for winter explorations.

Looking Back--September Highlights

2006-09-27T17:31:00.000-04:00

The fall foliage season has kept me so busy guiding, I haven't had the minutes to post on a regular basis. From Crane Mountain to the summits of Hadley and Chimney Mountains, the views have been incredible and the company full of curiosity and some very intriguing questions, several of which have sent me running to the library the next day. After all, exactly what was going on climatologically early in the 20th century when there were so many fires in the Adirondacks?

October Programs and A Saturday Adventure Package

2006-09-15T18:07:00.000-04:00

October Mid-Week Programs for Women:
Mountain Hiking Wednesdays October 4, 11, 18
Siamese Ponds Wilderness Treks Thursday mornings October 5, 12, 19
Click on the Links for Details.

And what's new?
The Vanderwhacker Mountain Escape Package
Saturday, October 21 8am-6pm
I've been yearning to offer a women's adventure package on a fall Saturday when all the participants have the chance to spend the entire day immersed in wilderness.

First, we'll get acquainted over a hearty breakfast at Cafe Sarah's in North Creek. Then we'll bond while hiking up a beautiful, moderately challenging mountain in the wilderness of northernmost Minerva. At the end of the adventure, when we're all mellow and ready to relax, we'll spend the late afternoon and early evening toasting our toes by a warm fire while we dine at the coziest and best local restaurant I know, The Black Mountain in North Creek. The costs of breakfast and dinner are all included in the package price of $80.00.

Now this is the kind of adventure package that I'd be eager to sign up for. But what about you? Is there a package or program that you'd like to see? Please submit your ideas in the comment section below or drop me an e-mail.

A Southern Beauty

2006-09-12T18:03:00.000-04:00

A trip south yesterday, south to the southernmost Adirondacks to climb a popular mountain renowned for its bare rock summit and 300-degree views. I had a perfect day to scout out this gem for my clients who are new climbers. It's an hour and a half ascent for intermediate hikers, maybe just under two for novices--a relatively easy ascent.

But best of all are the rewards at the top--a summit that's large enough to afford many people their own private picnic spots and a sturdy firetower that offers views of the High Peaks, including Mount Marcy. Volunteers maintain the wide trails, which will make this my top choice for my intermediate snowshoers who are ready to tackle a mountain.

Mountain Ash in All Its Glory

Scouting Out Winter Snowshoe and Cross-Country Trails

2006-09-09T17:52:00.000-04:00

I know it seems I'm rushing things, but it's time for me to begin preparing for winter wilderness adventures. In my spare time this past week, I've been trekking all over, searching for the best winter trails. Finding great cross-country ski trails has been more difficult than finding new snowshoe hikes because of all the down trees and the fact that snowmobilers didn't maintain the trails last year, due to the lack of snow.

But I found a beautiful ski trail yesterday that will make a fantastic wilderness day trip. The trail is gentle and rolling, perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers, and leads 2.5 miles through woodlands to a remote bog just north of Eleventh Mountain. Very, very few down trees over the trail. (So unusual!) The bog itself is long and narrow and will be fun to explore come winter. I was thrilled to see numerous bear tracks on the trail and hoped I'd catch a glimpse of one, but because it was a a warm mid-day hour, the bears were surely snoozing.

I'd like to say I can't wait to ski it, but that would be almost blasphemous, rushing this beautiful season.

Maples are Turning...

2006-09-07T17:54:00.000-04:00

As I've hiked all over the Gore Mountain region in recent days, my eyes have been studying the foliage of deciduous trees. I can't help myself, I'm a leaf nut. Some trees are already changing color, and each day there are more leaves showing signs of losing their deep green hues. Does this mean that the peak foliage season will arrive early this year?

Predicting the peak--that approximately 10-12 day period of time when a region's foliage is its most colorful--is impossible to achieve with any accuracy this early. Too many variables influence the timing--wet or dry conditions in September, windstorms, air temperatures, not to mention the overall weather picture of the entire growing season, to name only a few.

Nevertheless, it is possible to say that because there is scattered color already as we enter the second week of September, the red maples and sugar maples will be progressively turning in the days and weeks ahead. Consequently, there will be a fair number of trees brightening up the forest for hikers to gawk at by the weekend of the 16th-17th of September, and a splendid array by the next weekend, the 23rd-24th (although not peak). That's as far out as I'll stick my neck today.

Fall--The Favorite Season

2006-09-03T17:27:00.000-04:00

Of all the seasons, most adults living year-round in the Adirondacks name autumn as their favorite. "No bugs," usually begins their lists of reasons, followed by beautiful foliage, clear skies, and cool temperatures. And, as many have told me, fall really begins with the Labor Day Weekend, not September 20-23, the usual days of the autumnal equinox. (This year it falls on Saturday, the 23rd.)

Of all natural phenomenon, the green leaves changing to brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows, is the one that has most captivated my imagination throughout my lifetime. I study and observe every aspect of the change, and this year I'll share them with you in this blog.

Yet I'll go even a step further than that as I report all this fall on the troubling issues facing the trees in the Northeast, and, in particular, the Northern forests. And I'll pinpoint what's being done and not being done to save trees, and what each of us can do to make a difference.

September Events: Women's Hiking in the Gore Mountain Region
I. Mountain Hiking (Tuesdays Sept. 12, 19, 26) 8:30-2:00pm (Click on the link)
II. Nature Hiking (Wednesdays Sept. 13, 20, 27) 9:00-1:00pm

September Beaver Safaris

2006-08-28T17:24:00.000-04:00

All summer long I've been guiding folks to various Beaver Kingdoms, my term for the large beaver colonies inhabiting a number of the wildest ponds in the Gore Mountain Region. Almost always, someone asks me during the middle of the day, "Where are the beavers?" And, of course, the answer is that they're very busy sleeping.

In the summer, they're active as dusk gives way to darkness, at night, and especially in the pre-dawn hours and immediately after dawn. In September and October, however, as beavers hurry to store enough bark and wood for their winter consumption, they can commonly be seen in the late afternoon hours. That is, if you're quiet, which is nearly impossible when you're exploring with an excited group of children. Older children, and a few younger ones, can be encouraged to tiptoe in toward the shores of a beaver pond if they believe they have the chance of seeing an actual beaver or two.
Best time to embark on a September afternoon beaver safari? Around 3:00-3:30 p.m. or so, depending on the length of the hike to the chosen pond.

Get out the Binocs before the Fall Warbler Migration is Over

2006-08-25T17:32:00.000-04:00

I haven't been out birding in several weeks, and I've got to remedy that soon or I'll miss out on the fall migration.

Some varieties of warblers have been migrating south since the first week of August and others have been and will be following suit until mid-late September or so. I've just got to get out to the bogs and swamps as well as the forests to catch a glimpse of this much less heralded migration. Why does fall birding get such short shrift?

Magnolia Warbler in Breeding Plumage
There's one main reason for each of two kinds of birding enthusiasts. If you're a birder who's into distinguishing birds by their songs, the fall warbler migration can seem unrewarding because the birds only "chirrup" and "cheerp" (according to their variety) instead of singing a distinctive series of sounds or notes.

And in Fall Plumage
If you're a birder who's into spring and summer warblers in brilliant plumage, the fall migration can be a disappointment as well. After the breeding season, warblers and many other songbirds become drabber, and warblers, in particular, are much harder to distinguish.

The Last Days of Summer

2006-08-22T17:32:00.000-04:00

The telephone has been ringing with folks hoping to squeeze the most they can from the final hours of an Adirondack summer. Some highlights from the past eight days:

Children fall in love with the red eft, the terrestial form of our most common salamander. (In another few years, this tiny guy will turn olive-green and spend all his time swimming in the pond's shallows.)

While bushwhacking to discover all the evidence of a large beaver colony on the shores of a wild Adirondack pond, both adults and children are equally challenged by the "Beaver Trivia Game."

And for couples, there are mountain hikes for those peak romantic moments.

So what makes me happiest as summer winds down? Just watching folks "light up" and come together in their experience of wildlife and wilderness.

Autumn and Adirondack Safaris

2006-08-20T09:02:00.000-04:00

I meant to post this entry yesterday as I promised, but I've been working non-stop to organize Adirondack Safaris' fall programs. September is the most beautiful month in our region, and I hope to be sharing the wilderness with many people.

The following are some highlights, which will be appearing soon on the website:

1. A series of 3 Tuesday morning nature hikes for women: September 12, 19, and 26, touring different sections of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness.

2. A series of 3 Wednesday morning mountain climbs in the southern Adirondacks for women: September 13, 20, and 27. A terrific way to get in shape for skiing this winter!

3. A Leaf Arts Workshop for children ages 8-13 at the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in Blue Mountain Lake on Monday late afternoons 3:30-5:00 pm.: September 18, 25, and October 2. Lots of leaf collecting and leaf pressing leading to painting in both watercolors and pastels.

The schedule leaves plenty of time for walking, hiking, and mountain climbing adventures with clients.

For late September and the first week of October, the peak foliage season, I have a knock-your-socks-off list of hikes for folks hoping to make the most of the vibrant colors of autumn.

Bears, Bobcats, and Coyotes Go Wild

2006-08-18T18:10:00.000-04:00

On a woodsy trail abutting the swamp down our mountain road, I found some big bear tracks, and I mean big! The front "hand" or foot of a black bear is an average of nine inches long. The one I discovered was 8 1/2 inches. (The bear foot makes a shorter track.) Early this morning I came upon more bear tracks in the same muddy spot, but these were a little smaller than average. Interesting. How many bears are prowling the area and what's drawing them here?

Well, if you've been reading this blog, you probably guessed "blackberries," and you'd be right. Black bears love berries, which are growing absolutely everywhere. But our new neighbors who recently bought 35 acres across the street from us are camping on their land this week and next, and I'm sure the aromas of campfire cooking has attracted a fair number. Our neighbors are being vigilant about storing food in bins and they're fastidiously cleaning up after every meal. I also strongly suggested that they also store toothpaste, deodorants, and all lotions and soaps after each use along with their food. Bears guzzle all that stuff, too, containers and all.

I wish I could see one. Not up close, necessarily. Not when I have Sophie with me. (We're doing the leash thing now, as long as they're so close by, much to Sophie's dismay.) But just a glimpse out my window?

Can't believe it's time for me to cook dinner already. Took a wonderful, fun couple from the Syracuse area on the Peaked Mountain tour today, so I didn't get home til late. I so wanted to blog about all the coyote and bobcat doings, but I'll blog about them tomorrow. Stay tuned!

The Bee Season

2006-08-16T17:25:00.000-04:00

Late August and September is the time for hikers to be especially wary of hornets, wasps, and bees. Yellow jackets, in particular, are much more likely to sting now and in the early autumn weeks to come.

I try to be careful and have rarely been stung, but on Saturday a waspish flying insect got me twice on the wrist as I was climbing down Crane Mountain. It stung and bothered me, but that's to be expected. Later that night the site swelled, and on Sunday and Monday, the swelling, pain, and redness had spread up my arm to the elbow. Benadryl was of no use. By Tuesday, my day off, I figured I better see a doctor before the mess got any worse.

The doctor urged me to keep my arm iced and raised well above my heart, to allow the fluid from all the swelling to drain down through the lymph system. He wrote me two scripts for prednisone and an antibiotic, to be filled if the swelling progressed. It hasn't. Following the icing protocol yesterday seems to have helped.

Any person can develop an allergic sensitivity to wasps and bees at any point in their life. If pain, redness, and swelling move well beyond the site of the sting, medical attention is needed. Continued swelling can lead to cellulitis and infection.

Now I need to carry two Epi-Pens, one for my client and one for me. Actually, now that it's cooler, Sophie would love to be the guide's guide and carry all the emergency gear.

Check out this fact sheet about hypersensitivity to bee, wasp and hornet stings.

Mountain Season

2006-08-13T18:46:00.000-04:00

Gore Mountain, from the summit of Crane
Saturday, with clear skies and temperatures in the high 60s, was a perfect day to climb a mountain. I chose Crane, partly because of its proximity to home, and partly because there were a few new trails I wanted to sample there.

I was astonished at how much easier it is to climb in cool weather with low humidity--a world of difference. And, best of all, no bugs! I could sing that tune from the mountaintops. The views were spectacular all the way up on the less traveled trail.

The pond, two-thirds of the way to the summit, was a restful oasis before tackling the final leg of the ascent. Although it's a longer route, I appreciated climbing under the hemlocks, where I was protected from the sun. All in all, I loved every minute of the climb. I took the steepest, shortest route down, which is just fine. Once I've been hanging out on the summit, the last thing I want is a long return to the car.

Quieter and Quieter Woods

2006-08-11T17:02:00.000-04:00

Yellow Warbler Singing His Heart Out
Most birds have had their young and the fledglings are well on their way to becoming independent. (The goldfinch is one exception: they breed in mid-August.) And, in the process, the woods and meadows have become very quiet. This morning I thought back to May, during the peak migration and breeding season, when birdsongs so filled the forests and wetlands that I often had trouble distinguishing individual songs. By contrast, in mid-August it's common to hear only a few chirps and cheerps, bluejay calls, and the chickadee's familiar "pee-bee."

This morning I happened upon an indigo bunting in a clearing. Phenomenally gorgeous bird!

And in the marshes and wetlands, I so miss the songs of the yellow warbler and yellowthroat. They've been gone for nearly two weeks, returning to their winter homes in Central America.

Tragedy--Adirondack Style

2006-08-08T17:51:00.000-04:00

After witnessing the destruction of a hillside on our mountain road, I've been as glum as can be. Several days later, the event has filtered through my skin and has permeated every cell in my body. I'm in mourning for what was once a wild, beautiful hill.

A man, who I suppose will be our neighbor, bought this hill. And unlike everyone else who lives up here and takes pains to preserve the land, he took enormous excavating equipment and literally tore apart a hillside to build a long and winding road and a huge mansion lot. The road not only meanders through the woods to his house, it also cuts up the hill to the very edge of a ledge that offers a magnificent view of Eleventh Mountain and Gore Mountain, and in the winter, the High Peaks. Up on that wild hill are rare wildflowers, ferns, and mosses, and it is home to thrushes whose populations are in decline. Deer, coyotes, bobcat, bears, and porcupines frequent this hill.

Today I've discovered that I am as mad as hell, and yes, I am going to do something about it. I can do nothing about this hill because it's private land, and there are ignorant people coming to the Gore Mountain region who care nothing for the Adirondack wilderness or its wildlife and who will do just about anything to build the perfect vacation retreat.

But I am going to work with other people to protect this land. Here are the organizations I belong to, and the ones I am joining.
The Adirondack Mountain Club
Residents' Committee to Protect the Adirondacks
The Nature Conservancy
The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks
The Adirondack Council
Am I missing any? Please comment if I haven't listed one that you know.
I regret that I can't make links of the other organizations. Until I fix this (I have to cook dinner), please google the names and you'll get to their sites.

Bushwhack!

2006-08-05T18:08:00.000-04:00

Eleventh Mountain as seen from my mountain road
Adirondack Safaris offers bushwhacks up the west shoulder of Eleventh Mountain. It's a fun climb, especially for young people, who enjoy the chance to test their mettle on the steeps and select their own best way to the top. But the views from up there are nigh onto non-existent because of all the tree cover. I've got to look back at my notes: Barbara McMartin has described bushwhacks up the east slope. The only problem is, the last time she was on the trail was well over a decade ago. There is no written record of what a bushwhack up the east side is like today. There's only one way to find out, and that is to try it. I'll put it on my list.

Some readers may wonder, why bushwhack at all?

On the surface, I admit, bushwhacking seems crazy. Bushwhacks are more challenging than trail hikes and, in some respects, are hard work. But, on the other hand, mountains with no trails are rarely visited by people. As a result, wildlife is much more plentiful and the hiker can truly meld into the wilderness and become a part of it.

I'm heading over to Huckleberry Mountain early next week, to scout out a bushwhack for some clients. The view from the ledges at the summit is incredible. Huckleberry also has many caves, and it's famous for its bears. But, it's funny, although everyone says there are bears there, no one I know has ever seen one.

Oh, and a word of caution: Don't try this unless you're with someone who's competent with map and compass.

Cooler Days--Time to Hit the Trail!

2006-08-03T17:16:00.000-04:00

Just a few minutes ago, I checked our local forecast on the National Weather Service website, and I could have cheered. Temperatures Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the high seventies with drier air. I can't wait to get out and see what's going on in the wilderness. I also need to get out to do some blackberry and blueberry picking. Got to move fast if I'm going to beat the bears to the berries.

Best of all, Tuesday and Wednesday next week, high temps will be in the high 60s and low 70s. Now that's mountain climbing weather!

You guessed it: No one wanted a safari when the mercury was 92 degrees and the dewpoint was 73 degrees. So I spent my time preparing for fall safaris, the best time of year to be in the outdoors.

New Insight from Coyote Scat

2006-07-31T17:14:00.000-04:00

Every day, no matter where I hike, I find something new of interest. Early this morning Sophie alerted me to the presence of coyote scat on our mountain road. It wasn't much, and without her nose, I would've missed it completely. On closer inspection, I was interested to see that the scat was entirely made of partially digested, unripe, barely reddened blackberries.

Of course I know that coyotes love apples and pears, so it makes sense they'd go for other fruit. But I didn't realize that they'd go so far as to eat hard and sour unripe berries. It doesn't seem likely that they'd be so hungry that they'd go for food they didn't care for. As far as I know, there's been plenty of small animals around for them to eat this summer. So what explains this unsavory meal? I haven't a clue and am still puzzling it out.

It's a Date: Bushwhack up Mount Blue after Labor Day
Hot weather alert for tomorrow and Wednesday, with temperatures here going up to 95 degrees. No excursions are planned. I'll probably end up studying land navigation in my cool living room. I'm planning some mountain bushwhacks for September, the best month for climbing in the Adirondacks.

Morningside Nostalgia

2006-07-29T18:01:00.000-04:00

Today I had some fun walking the trails at Morningside Camps and Cottages in Minerva. I'm going to be leading a nature walk there on Monday morning, so I was revisiting the trails, seeing what's new and interesting for people to see and touch.

Morningside is where Ken and I first encountered the Adirondacks. We started spending several weeks there in September every year, paddling and swimming in Minerva Lake, hiking the nearby trails, climbing mountains, and canoeing in the surrounding waters. Our friends Dave and Randi LaBar own and operate Morningside, and I'm so glad I'm going to be guiding some of their guests on their trails.

I found a few things there today that stumped me. Here's one of them. I found this unusual growth all over a rock. It's slimy and wet, the way a slug feels. I can hear the children saying "Eeeewwww!" I'm going to e-mail Evelyn Greene, the Adirondack naturalist par excellence, to see if she can identify it.

What's Causing the Decline of the Songbirds?

2006-07-27T17:46:00.000-04:00

Just what has been the cause of the decline of the wood thrush and many of its thrush relatives, the birds with the hauntingly beautiful flute-like songs in the forests of the Northeast?

The wood thrush population in New York has decreased by 45%, according to a major study recently completed and reported. (This NY Times article will not be available after a few days). Click here for a summary.

Analysis of the birds themselves has revealed that they have high mercury levels, a startling find considering that thrushes do not eat fish from mercury-laden waters. Where is all this mercury coming from? According to most reports, from coal-burning power plants in Ohio and other states in the Midwest. The contaminants fall as rain and enter the soil, where it is picked up by worms and insects, the food of the wood thrush and many other songbirds. It's been known for many years that mercury contamination has disrupted the reproduction of waterbirds, and, for the first time, it is now believed to play a role in the decline of the wood thrush.

With what we know about the relationship of coal burning and global warming, why are industries (and some consumers) still pigheadedly using it? Because it's cheap. Yeah, the same old song, cheap now, but our children and grandchildren will pay later.

Destination: The Mighty Hudson

2006-07-25T17:38:00.000-04:00

Mike, my favorite fellow guide, and I trekked near the Hudson River today, exploring some trails thereabouts. I haven't seen Mike in weeks, because of our busy guiding schedules. It was fun to catch up on his paddling adventures in the northwestern Adirondacks. We also discussed some worrisome news about a loon stranded in a "pond" too small for the loon to fly out of. The loon is stuck in a quarry lagoon until the loon rescue folks can get down there and rescue him. In the meantime, the loon is doing fine, chowing down on tadpoles and the like. But it isn't safe for him to stay there indefinitely.

I was disappointed in the lack of variety of vegetation in the area, largely due to the large numbers of scotch pines that block sunlight, but I'll keep the trails on my list because they're excellent for beginning snowshoers and cross-country skiers. A good place for beginners to build skills before venturing out on winter wilderness jaunts. I'm already looking forward to those!

I did find a wildflower that took me by surprise, not because of its rarity, but because I haven't seen it yet in the Adirondacks--Butterfly Weed. Because the place I found it wasn't its usual habitat, I wonder if someone planted it there.

Beaver Nation!

2006-07-23T17:37:00.000-04:00

Heavy rain can be good for a guide, offering a weekend of enforced rest. I was grumbling about it Saturday, though, as I sat in my office contemplating my pile of paperwork. I puttered with it for an hour when I realized I was getting nothing accomplished. That's when I flopped down on my bed and read a murder mystery. I'm in the middle of my favorite kind of mystery--one that's dripping with atmosphere. The Lighthouse by P.D. James is perfect in this regard. It's set on an island off the southern coast of England. You know the kind: high cliffs, jagged rocks that wreck ships, one lonely mansion, peculiar people. Gotta love it.

Enough of my day off! I promised I'd blog about Friday, the day after my hiking fiasco that I described in my previous post.

I checked out a wonderful trail that leads to a secluded pond. Unlike the hike to Round Pond, this trail was clear all the way. (Eureka!) And the forest was open enough so that pond breezes kept me cool as I hiked. The most adventurous moments were when I had to make my way across a long beaver dam to reach the rest of the trail. Because I was carrying a waist pack rather than my usual backpack, I couldn't store my binoculars or my camera before I crossed this all too watery area. To prevent disaster, I had to stand more or less upright and keep my balance all the way. To prevent a spill, it would have made more sense to bend over and use my hands to break a fall.

As I maneuvered my way across, I couldn't help imagining how much fun my ten- and twelve-year-old friends would have scrambling over this amazingly constructed beaver obstacle. From the photo (beaver dam is on the right), it doesn't look as though water is on both sides--very deceptive.
I also encountered an area where beavers had felled massive hemlocks, one after another as if they were a bunch of pick-up-sticks.

And I discovered a most unusual beaver lodge: Hey, is that a tv antenna sticking up to the left?

A Day in the Life of a Guide

2006-07-20T17:58:00.000-04:00

Before I write about the guide's tale of woe and yesterday's adventure, let me say that today was a huge improvement--I found a fabulous new trail to add to my list of safaris. But I'm not writing about today today. I'll write about that in my next entry. Today I'm going to tell you what happened yesterday, because it provides excellent insight into the life of a hiking and nature guide.

This spring at various times I heard hikers and paddlers mention a trail that connects Garnet Lake and Round Pond, two gorgeous bodies of water. I was told that the trail climbs an interesting ridge, is moderately difficult, and offers a fun day. I had no clients scheduled, so as I do on such days, I went off in the hopes that I'd find an exciting safari for my customers.

I checked all the guidebooks and two topo maps. Nothing untoward was mentioned, everything seemed in order. I parked my car in the little lot by the trail at Garnet Lake and off I went. Right off the bat, I noticed there were many trees down over the trail. Depending on the size of the tree, this meant fighting my way through the vegetation around the tree or trying to climb over it. One after another, I crawled through them, around them, and didn't think too much of it. At first.

I didn't become concerned until I was about 3/4ths of a mile in. By this point trees covered the trail more and more frequently. All I was doing now was climbing over these obstacles. Forget paying attention to Mother Nature, looking at birds, ferns, and mushrooms. I was locked in a battle to forge my way forward. Although I did finally see one I've been hearing for a long time--Swainson's thrush. It sat as still as could be, just twenty to twenty five feet from me, so I could get a good long, delicious look.

To add insult to injury, the trail was marked only every half mile or so. It was so overgrown that I had to keep retracing my steps (climbing over trees I had already climbed over) to pick up the trail again. Sweat dripped down my face and back and mosquitoes went up my nose and in my ears.

When I was a little over a mile in (the trail to Round Pond is 2.3 miles), I contemplated turning back. It was clear that this was no trip for my clients. If I ever have a tour category "Safaris for Masochists," this trail will be on it, but I'm not into pain, so I'm not planning on venturing into this domain. I decided I'd continue because 1) the trail might open up, and 2)I wanted to finish what I set out to do.

View of the Marsh by Round Pond
I arrived at Round Pond, scratched up, dejected, and sad. It's clear that this trail was once a beautiful, well maintained route. Snowmobilers once used it, skiers, and snowshoers. But no longer. The forest has all but reclaimed it. Why has this happened? Well, the fact is, the Department of Environmental Conservation, particularly the sub-department that includes the forest rangers, does not have the funds to maintain even a fraction of the trails in the Adirondacks. Governor Pataki has slashed the department's budget so many times, the resources to maintain our Adirondack trail heritage is not there. And so it goes.

So there I was on the shores of Round Pond with more than two hours of torture behind me. Time to go home. I decided that there was no way I was going back the way I came. I pulled out my compass and map and set a route to the northeast to reach the other trail that leads into Round Pond. I'd bushwhack my way to this trail, hike out, pick up the road, and walk the 4-5 miles back to my car. At least I'd have no obstacle to block my every step. And that's what I did. Another trail tested and rejected--all so my clients don't have to experience such a day.

Where to Hike When It's Super Hot

2006-07-18T18:13:00.000-04:00

I've been on a mission lately searching for really cool trails. As regular readers of this blog know, my Watch Hill Safari is perfect for days when the mercury hits the mid-80s to 90. (Scroll down to my July 10 entry.) Do I hike when it's above 90? When those sizzlers are predicted, I guide clients on nature walks for three-hour excursions in the early morning hours, when the dew still sparkles on the grass and the birds' songs fill the forest.

Yes, you say, but you haven't answered the question.

Do I personally hike when it's over ninety? Well, to be truthful, I regret to say that my body has failed me in extreme heat. Despite my persuasions, it has proven itself physically incapable of handling any type of hiking as soon as temps hit the nineties. Fortunately, the Adirondacks rarely has days that exceed ninety degrees.

Roaring Brook on the Schaefer Trail--Gore Mountain
On hot days in the 80s, I take people to trails that cross or parallel running brooks, where we can stop, take our boots off, and cool our feet before continuing to climb. I also guide people along trails that lead to ponds or lakes, where the air temperature will feel six to ten degrees cooler.

Garnet Lake

Adk Safaris: Now a Business Partner of the Adirondack Museum

2006-07-16T17:23:00.000-04:00

Saturday The Adirondack Museum was hosting a Gardening Festival, and since I delve in the digging arts from time to time, I just had to be there. I decided it would also be a great time for Adirondack Safaris to become a business partner of the museum that has been so important to the entire Adirondack Park.

I enjoyed a tour of the museum gardens, a lecture on gardening with shade plants in the Adirondacks, and I visited the gardening vendors displaying their wares. I bought a smallish pot overflowing with parsley, though I wanted to bring home every daylily variety I saw. By the time I was finished with all the gardening events, I was too tired and hot to visit the exhibits, but managed to browse in the museum shop, which has an exquisite, comprehensive selection of books on the Adirondacks. Plenty of time for the exhibits on my next visit.

The day was overcast and very hazy, yet intense July sunlight made these flowering annuals on the balcony overlooking Blue Mountain Lake really stand out.

Please scroll way down for the link to Adirondack Safaris and the Archives.

July's the Time for a Butterfly Safari

2006-07-14T16:54:00.000-04:00

Wildflowers are everywhere, and so are the butterflies. This Aphrodite Fritillary sucking nectar from a clover was very cooperative. Unlike several other buttefly varieties in the neighborhood recently, the Aphrodite is not camera-shy. It's smaller than a Swallowtail, but just as beautiful. On any sunny day in the past month, all I've had to do is stand still in a field or meadow and butterflies will appear. Hey, it's not only children who love to run through the grasses and wildflowers with a butterfly net in hand.

I've had no luck at all photographing the Monarchs that have been going insane with happiness over the flowering milkweed. They are so skittish--I've been more successful getting them to sit still for a moment during their September migration.

Off to Hunt for a Paint Mine

2006-07-12T17:23:00.000-04:00

That was my goal yesterday when I once again told myself that this excellent hiking weather (less humidity and high seventies) cannot last. I hiked into the valley between Crane and Huckleberry Mountains to search for the ruins of a nineteenth-century paint mine.

I know "paint mine" sounds strange, but that's the name of this woodsy historical landmark. The rock and soil in parts of this area contain a red pigment that was once used to cover farm buildings. The mine was quite an establishment in its time, and its paint, "Johnsburg Red," was known far and wide.

Crane Mountain, through the trees
As I hiked along en route, I was comforted by the silent, massive presence of Crane to the north. Once again plagued with an old guidebook that desperately needs a revised edition, I overshot the spot by nearly a mile. The forest is camouflaging the old stones and buildings very well. On my way back, I walked more slowly and scrutinized every tree and bit of woods. Persistence paid off, and I must say I'm glad, because I wasn't going home until I found it. Ruins of stone foundations and buildings, a paint pit, and a magnificent stone chimney were there for inspection.

A perfect hike for history enthusiasts--my next job is to talk with the Johnsburg historian and find out more. Yet history is not the only attraction on this hike. Birds common to boreal forests are everywhere as well as enormous granite rocks, some as tall as a 2- to 3-story building. Great fun for children who love to climb!

Perfect Hike for a Sizzling Hot Day

2006-07-10T17:58:00.000-04:00

Yes, combining a hot day with a mountain climb is not always a comfortable form of entertainment, especially for folks who are new to climbing.

On Saturday, I visited a charmer--a place known as Watch Hill--that fits the bill for adults and children who are beginning climbers, or for veterans who want some exercise and some gorgeous mountain views without dying of heatstroke on a sweltering day.

The Watch Hill Trail is almost totally unmarked, and is extremely difficult to locate from Route 30 between Indian Lake and Speculator unless you know where to find it. Yet it's a trail worth all the trouble as I discovered on Saturday. Forests that are mostly or partly composed of hemlocks are very cooling, and this trail has 'em. You may have noticed that when you leave a sunny, open area or a deciduous and pine tree area, the temperature drops considerably when you walk into a hemlock forest.

The Watch Hill Trail has loads of hemlocks, and better yet, the steep inclines are all in the hemlock shade. (If only I could order this for all my summertime climbing!) The hiker emerges from the hemlocks only at a wide, sunny ledge with a terrific view of Snowy Mountain, and at the summit where the ledges afford a knockout panorama of the southern sections of Indian Lake.

This trail is perfect for children who are new to climbing, because in a relatively easy half-day hike, they reach a peak where they can experience the euphoria of attaining a summit. The hike is also short enough that I will be offering it to clients who have children as young as six years old.

Schaefer Trail Redux

2006-07-08T17:51:00.000-04:00

View of Crane Mountain from Gore
(Note: For a photo of Gore Mountain, click on "June 2006" in the Archives. Scroll down to find the June 26 entry. To read about my climb up Crane Mountain this spring, read the June 16 entry.)

I climbed the Schaefer Trail yesterday, revisiting Gore Mountain. This time I had the card in the camera, but the haziness made for some less than spectacular pics. Next time--maybe in the fall when all the sugar maples turn that brilliant combination of orange, yellow, and red?

This time I had no trouble sticking to the trail, because once you're on it, it's extremely well-marked. Problem is, without instructions, a person may be hard-pressed to find the spot where the hiking trail crosses the ski trail. The laminated instructions at the trail register work only if you happen to know the names of the old North Creek Ski Bowl trails (no longer operating). Enough about that. Let's talk trail talk.

The appeal of this trail is two-fold: 1) Don Greene designed the Shaefer over a long period of time. During this period, he climbed Gore everyday "just for the fun of it." He wanted the trail to highlight the mountain's wild, rugged beauty, to capitalize on mountain ledges for glorious views, and to steer the trail away from areas prone to flooding and muddiness. 2) The trail leads the hiker up, but gradually. If someone were to name the most difficult part of the trail, they'd probably point to the beginning. All it requires is walking a wide, steep trail up. No other hazards. After that levels out, you march steadily uphill, but the grades are not as taxing as you might expect for a mountain that's 3,600 feet at the summit.

Who would want a Gore safari? Gore skiers of all ages, for sure. It's fun to see the Saddle Lodge appear through the trees. (Oh, how I love the view of Mt. Marcy and other High Peaks from there). Your reward is also knowing that you're now at about 3100 feet or so. It's fascinating to climb up "The Cloud," the ski trail that commands some other beautiful mountain views to the north and east. And then it's just a short ways to the summit.

Hiking up Gore Mountain

2006-07-06T17:01:00.000-04:00

The Schaefer Trail is the hiking trail that leads to the summit of Gore Mountain (elevation 3,600 ft.). Today I signed in at the register for the Schaefer but as I climbed I managed to overshoot the spot where the trail crosses a Gore Mountain ski trail. I ended up by the old North Creek Reservoir, an intriguing spot, but not where I wanted to be.

I'm not familiar with the Schaefer Trail because I've been focusing all my explorations to true wilderness trails, and the Schaefer, despite its beauty, many attractions, and wild places, leads up a developed skiing mountain that is a far cry from wilderness.

Even so, I was happy to be climbing a dry trail. And I loved finding a meadow crowded with blooming milkweed. I stayed for quite a while and watched the butterflies, bees, dragonflies, and a ruby-throated hummingbird feed themselves. The entire climb up is lush with wildflowers. When the trail crosses Roaring Brook, there is a rushing waterfall that's cooling after a hot climb.

So I think, maybe I should add a Gore Mountain adventure to my list of safaris. After all, I do believe that only a few (those with AMC guides) will figure out how to stay on the Schaefer Trail and make it to the summit.

I'm going back tomorrow, this time with said guidebook and with the card in the digital camera (not sitting at home as I did today) and see how the rest of the trail is.

Photos tomorrow!

So There Is a Link to Fish Ponds!

2006-07-04T17:46:00.000-04:00

When Mike and I paddled Cod Pond a couple of weeks ago, we were searching for the stream or flow that leads to Fish Ponds. We paddled and paddled, looked and searched, but found nothing. Yet Evelyn says she's done it, and indeed, last Friday she collected a few of her friends and paddled out the flow. They didn't make it all the way to Fish Ponds, she says, but after all the rain, they were able to slide over most of all the beaver dams, rather than carry the boats over them, a task that is a muddy pain, in my opinion.

Mike and I are still stymied about the route, but last night at a Fourth of July cookout at my place, he and Evelyn spent a good bit of time with their heads bent over several topo maps. I hope to be able to paddle that stretch because that is wild, wild country back in there.

I had a marvelous time talking to Evelyn's husband, Don Greene, who engineered the Schaefer Trail that goes to the top of Gore Mountain. I asked him my most pressing question about the route and one that all hikers are considering this summer. "How wet is it?" "Not a wet trail at all!" he answered. "Before I made the trail, I studied and studied that mountain, walking up and down it hundreds of times to find the driest way up."

So climbing Gore (elevation 3600 ft.) would be a great way to get my climbing legs back in shape after this interlude of weather. I had thought that it was too heavily traveled a trail for my clients, but this may not be the case. I'll give it a try this week.

Testing the Trails

2006-07-01T18:19:00.000-04:00

I spent most of Friday going from trail to trail to test conditions after all the rain we've had. The notoriously wet ones I didn't bother to venture to, but the rest I checked out. In the early morning, Sophie and I tested the full length of the Moss Ridge and Swamp Trail--most of it is in terrific condition but for one muddy stream crossing. I tooks some photos, but early morning pics of woodsy trails do not come out well, though I did catch this one of Sophie carrying a birch stick.

Milkweed is on the verge of flowering, and the butterflies are hanging around in anxious anticipation. When all the milkweed blooms, I'll be out with a butterfly net and my field guide, getting up close and personal with them for a few brief moments before letting them go back to their business. This coming week is prime time for butterfly lovers. I just received a small shipment of nets for my clients.

At Cod Pond, I once again photographed some White Admiral--Red Spotted Purple hybrids. I guess there must be something nutritious about the new growth on this plant; I just hope they can hang on until the milkweed blooms.

After the Deluge, Foxlair Trail is Open

2006-06-29T18:18:00.000-04:00

We had some unbelievable rain this week, as many people did in New York State, southern Vermont, and western Massachusetts. Most streams here in the southern Adirondacks managed to overflow their banks at one point or other during the 2-3 day siege. Now the waters are settling down to a dull roar. Tomorrow morning, Friday, I'm heading out to check on a few trails that I'm pretty certain will be in fine shape for hikers this weekend.

Because the ruins of the estate that was once Foxlair sit high above the Sacandaga River, they were in no danger of being flooded. For those with a sense of adventure and an interest in history, an Adirondack Safari to Foxlair fits the bill. It's hard to believe that it's been just a little less than forty years since the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation gave the order to tear down the mansion and other estate buildings. Still, they could not erase the past. There are remnants of the stone foundation everywhere, several overgrown stone stairways, and rusting iron "objects" that still puzzle me as to their use.

The butterflies and birds will be active there after all the rain. Bring your binocs!
But, since it could still be damp underfoot, also bring your muck boots just in case!

2006-06-28T09:30:00.000-04:00

Swamped by Rain, But July 4th Weekend Looks Good!

2006-06-27T17:08:00.000-04:00

Our mountain road has been washed out by yesterday's deluge. According to my rain gauge, we had a minimum of 8 inches at our house yesterday. Last night the stream that had been trickling in a deep gully out back rose well over several feet to wash over the natural land bridge. Hiking was out of the question today. I'd just do damage to the trails. And many streams were unfordable. Heavy rains are forecast again for tonight and tomorrow morning.

I'm very worried about all the birds that are nesting now. Heavy rains are one thing, but we had numerous cloudbursts yesterday, which could have flooded some nests to the point where eggs and young were lost or destroyed. This scenario has been the case this spring for nesting loons in the area during other rainstorms.

Have you noticed that rainfall has been getting heavier and heavier? I guess you don't need to be a meteorologist to have observed that. But I'm not talking about this spring's rain being heavier than last spring's. Since the early 1970s, rainstorms have been producing heavier and heavier downpours, according to many U.S. climate studies.

Is it global warming? Many climatologists and meteorologists say it is. The warmer the land and air temperatures, the greater the amount of water that evaporates. With more water in the air, there's more cloudiness and hence, more rain. Not only that, but warmer air can actually hold more water than cold air. Sort of a double whammy.

Now, listen, I'm not the type who tries to search for the silver lining, believe me. But the road washout next to the swamp pushed sand into the water so that there's a little beach now. Sun is forecast for tomorrow afternoon, and if it shows its face, I'll take my Hornbeck boat over there and study dragonflies.

I Need to Climb a Mountain

2006-06-26T16:50:00.000-04:00

Gore Mountain, from the ledge near our house
It's pouring buckets and has all day, though both Saturday and Sunday were beautiful. I've been itching to climb Vanderwhacker Mountain, but after the torrents of today, all the streams and creeks will be running over their banks down the mountain slopes of the Adirondacks tomorrow. Not the best time, but during the past two wet months, when is? Mind you, I don't mind rain, but right now we are in the midst of a cloudburst.

Yesterday I hiked with a family on the Moss and Swamp Trail. I was so glad that there were a multitude of things to see. Wild strawberries were everywhere, as were butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, and toads. We saw many deer tracks, of varying sizes, and had fun imagining what the deer were doing when they walked by. And the wildflowers--the woods and meadows are full of them. The children had never been on a nature walk before and I was stunned by how observant they were, their sharp eyes seeing things that I have missed. The big excitement was that they each found a feather, one from a bluejay, the other from a ruffed grouse.

Leaves of Three--What Can It Be?

2006-06-24T20:51:00.000-04:00

Now I know everyone is going to shout, "Poison Ivy!" I thought so too, until I looked at the plant very closely. Notice the shapes of the leaves, and how they vary one from the other. I have seen this identical plant in a number of places over the past two weeks. Unlike poison ivy, it isn't vine-like, nor does it grow in clusters. It sits in the woods by itself, though ten feet away I might find another. Hmmm... I wonder.

Of course, the true test would be to, well, touch it. But I, being severely allergic to poison ivy, cannot make myself stretch my hand out. "Leaves of three, leave them be." You betcha. So here I am, puzzled. I need to consult an expert. I think I'll e-mail Evelyn Greene, the best Adirondack naturalist I know. What do you think?

Vanderwhacker Mountain

2006-06-22T18:08:00.000-04:00

No, everyone, this isn't Sophie, but a photo taken by David Harrison of another intrepid golden atop Vanderwhacker Mountain last year. I've got to check the Vanderwhacker trail since I haven't traveled it this season, and I've been waiting for a day without the threat of thunderstorms.

Inspiring photo, isn't it? The views atop Vanderwhacker are supposed to be spectacular, especially of the High Peaks to the north. And there's a fire tower to climb, offering an even more colossal panorama. Although the trail up Vanderwhacker is about 5.8 miles round trip, it's not a severely steep climb which most adults and older children in good shape will enjoy.

Not a Moose, But White Admirals and Red-Spotted Purple Hybrids

2006-06-21T17:42:00.000-04:00

Blue skies and dry air in the North Country--a perfect day to carry a canoe into Cod Pond. Our moose was nowhere to be found, but we pondered on a lone loon for awhile, wondering if he or she had a mate, and if so, was there a nest or young ones? Based on our observations, it appears that the loon is single and perhaps a temporary visitor to the pond. We also found otter scat on top of a number of rocks in reedy, grassy areas, but it wasn't likely we'd see one at midday. Have to get up before five to get there early enough to see otters.

What I did find were lots of butterflies--hybrids of White Admirals and Red-Spotted Purples. They are the same species, though Red-Spotted Purples tend to inhabit the southern U.S. and White Admirals are found in southern Canada and the very northernmost sections of the eastern U.S. In between these two regions is an area where both varieties can be found, and they often hybridize, sharing traits of each variety.

I found at least a dozen or more sitting in the ashes of an old campfire. Because they all blend in well with this background, they are hard to see in this photo. But if you look carefully at the top, you'll notice the broad white band on these black butterflies and the marginal row of blue dashes. These are traits of White Admirals. But, on others, notice the many reddish spots that are more characteristic of Red-Spotted Purples. It's frustrating to be a student of butterflies and not an expert. If anyone knows anything more about these butterflies, please comment.

Round Leaf Sundew--A Carnivorous Plant

2006-06-20T18:12:00.000-04:00

Sunday I was paddling in a wonderfully remote pond at a high elevation. Although the weather was in the high eighties, you would never have known it at this pond which cooled us with its breezes. Cookie was teaching me more about dragonflies, one of my passions, and as we paddled around, we came across a log with an unusual plant growing on top of it. Its common name is Round Leaf Sundew, and it's an insectivorous plant. One of the plants we examined had caught a moth. Cookie says that although the plant has chlorophyl, it needs to capture insects to get enough nitrogen to survive.

Heads Up on the Weekend Weather:As of this evening, the National Weather Service is forecasting partly sunny weather for the Gore Mountain Region on both Saturday and Sunday. Call now to reserve your weekend Adirondack Safari!

A Chance Encounter with Wildlife--Wowee!

2006-06-19T18:00:00.000-04:00

Mike, my friend and New York State Licensed Guide, were hiking today in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. As we approached a pond, I pointed out the dozens and dozens of dragonflies that love to congregate on a huge rock that lies in the sun. Just as I was doing so, Mike shouted, "What's that? Why, it's a Moose!" Even though my camera was hanging around my neck, my fingers fumbled to catch some shots as I watched said juvenile moose lumber out of the reeds toward the woods. Yet I managed to snap five pictures with a very slow digital camera. I zoomed in as far as I was able, and still the moose appears small in all the photos. Of course, he or she wasn't full-grown, probably only about two years old with mere buds where antlers will be one day. Still!!! My first sighting of a moose in the Adirondacks. A sterling moment.

The rest of the morning Mike and I discussed our plans to carry our boats in early Wednesday morning, to further explore the pond and its tributaries, and, of course, to try to observe the moose. The only thing that has me worried is the carry. It's a mile and it's uphill. Ugh! I'm a veteran all-out hiker and climber, but a quiet paddler with no fondness for portage. But Mike has convinced me we must, after I persuaded him he should cancel his doctor's appointment. Wednesday is the only dry weather day this week, and we will spend all of it--out there. Cool.

A Wilderness Hike to Sleeping Beauty's Castle

2006-06-18T17:42:00.000-04:00

Friday marked my second hiking excursion to Foxlair, the site of the ruins of an extravagant estate of the early twentieth century. I couldn't help feeling like the prince in the fairy tale as I climbed over dozens of fallen trees and bumbled my way through vines and saplings along an overgrown trail that leads to Richard Hudnut's former wonderland in the old Oregon Valley along the Sacandaga River. Although there is a guidebook or two from the early 1990s that describes the route, I found the instructions to be of little use because nothing is marked, the written directions are maddeningly vague, and a forest is now flourishing on the site. What an adventure then--by trial and error to search and search for the ruins.

On my latest trip I concentrated on picking my way through the debris and puzzling over what remains--a battered stone foundation, stone stairways leading to the river, pipe fittings, and iron gates. I've been uncovering the history of Richard Hudnut and Foxlair at home in several books and I long to hunt down the descendents of some of the people who worked there.

All in all, a hiking adventure to Foxlair is perfect for people who love a hands-on approach to uncovering Adirondack history. It's beautiful country and because of its proximity to the Sacandaga River, is ideal for birdwatching (especially warblers), hunting for wildflowers and butterflies. A visit to an active beaver lodge is also close by.

Crane Mountain

2006-06-16T17:50:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I hiked up Crane Mountain to capture perhaps my last chance to see all the pink lady's slippers that grace the trails there. I chose the long route up, which is less steep and which provides the best views apart from the summit. I like it because fewer people choose it and there's so many more birds, wildflowers, and other nature to see.

I was extremely surprised by how poorly marked the long route is right now. On the steeps, where the trail is mostly rock outcroppings, the lack of markers is definitely a hazard. Maybe the rangers haven't had time to replace markers that have disappeared over the winter. But to people who don't know the mountain and don't have a topographical map, soloing would be pretty frustrating and dangerous. When I started Adirondack Safaris, I thought that I wouldn't guide my clients up Crane Mountain because it's so heavily traveled and has a reputation for being well marked. After yesterday's climb, I am putting the Crane Mountain long route back on my roster of offerings. It's beautiful and the views all round are spectacular. And, of course, there's the added delight of Crane Mountain Pond near the top. It's a fun, challenging climb for older children and teens, not too difficult for most adults in good health, and the opportunities to experience the natural world abound.

When I neared the summit, I startled a big buck that went crashing off into the woods. I was amazed to see one there because vegetation is much more sparse and not really suitable to feed an animal with as voracious an appetite as he undoubtedly has.

I'll get a photo up of Crane as soon as there's a clear sky!

2006-06-15T18:24:00.000-04:00