Partly Cloudy, 83°
Log in
Subscribe
Outdoors
Sort by: Featured Most recent
Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
For all older stories, please use our advanced search.
285 results total, viewing 121 - 140
Towns complete river and shoreline clean-ups
NARROWSBURG, NY — Since initiating its River & Shoreline Clean-up Grants program in 2014, the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) has awarded $51,923.72 to member municipalities to help keep the … more
Friends are finer than fair fields.
Potatoes and people
It’s a rare person who agrees to give their Saturday to a friend to give them a hand. Rarer still may be the one who brings the whole family to get down in the dirt and do the heavy lifting on … more
|
This northern two-lined salamander was the first animal found during my stream walk. It is considered a brook salamander and is usually found under rocks in or near a stream bed. They are named for the two dark lines that run the length of their body from behind each eye. Like many species of salamanders, offspring of this species have gills and spend their larval stage completely in the water. As adults, they lose their gills and breathe air.
A fall creek walk
During an early October morning, I found myself along a medium-sized creek in Pike County. It was a cool morning, in the low- to mid-50s, but not too cold, and there had not been freezing … more
|
One of the Catskill tailwaters, bank full and cold during summer.
Fly fishing the tailwaters
I’m guessing that some of you who read this column fish the East and West Branches of the Delaware and the Neversink Rivers below the reservoirs. The tailwaters.  At the outset of … more
|
DEP cites hunter in Bethel, rescue bald eagle in Orange
REGION - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), … more
|
The Wayne County Fair’s Woodsmen’s Competition showcases the ample skills demonstrated by competitors in events like the Jack and Jill Crosscut (pictured here), axe throwing, chainsawing and tree felling.
A fair fascination
Readers of this column are likely to associate me with nature photography for fairly obvious reasons. Few might guess what I here confess—a fascination with country fairs and the chaotic … more
|
Teens: Hunt NY’s big game
NEW YORK STATE — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) interim commissioner Sean Mahar reminded youth hunters and their adult mentors that a special youth firearms big … more
Smiles are hard-earned, and long-treasured.
A farm escape
What do farmers do for fun when they need to get off of the farm for a while? Go to another farm, of course. My family and I had the great pleasure of visiting Roba Family Farms this weekend to enjoy … more
|
This close-up of a autumn meadowhawk yields a good look at its compound eyes which enable this insect to catch its prey in midair and evade predators. Most insects have compound eyes, but a dragonfly has a specialized “target acquisition system”; their eyes are composed of 30,000 visual facets called ommatidia. These five-sided facets that face skyward are sensitive to blue and UV light, while those that face level and below are sensitive to the longer wavelengths of light. This is optimum for catching pesky mosquitos.
The last dragonfly of the year: the autumn meadowhawk
When the leaves are changing to brilliant yellows and red hues of fall, few people are thinking of dragonflies. Yet there is a species of dragonfly that flies and breeds now. Not to be out-done by … more
|
The little yellow quill mayfly, or pumpkin dun.
Moon of the pumpkin dun
In his book “Cache Country Almanac,” John Roland cites a Cree Indian chief on how the Native American people described the different months of the year. The chief called the month of … more
|
All are invited to hike with a forest specialist at Lacawac Sanctuary at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 5. You'll learn about our forests, invasive species and more.
Hike at Lacawac
LAKE ARIEL, PA — All are invited to hike with a forest specialist at Lacawac Sanctuary at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 5. You’ll be led by a Lacawac environmental educator and a forest … more
The “food bulge” depicted toward the center of this Eastern garter snake’s body betrays the fate of some hapless creature. This non-venomous reptile is one of the most common snakes inhabiting the Upper Delaware River region. It is docile and passive unless threatened, in which case it may attempt to defend itself by striking, though even this is of little threat to humans. ..Garter snakes are readily identified by a yellow stripe along the back, but coloration and patterning can otherwise be variable. Typical specimens can be brown, black or greenish, while occasionally featuring blue tones as well. The belly is usually cream-colored.
Snake snack
“How does a snake digest its food?” This is a question you might find yourself pondering one day when you nearly trample upon a snoozing garter snake lying in a sunny patch of gnarly … more
|
I am a picture of joy whilst building goat huts in the dark.
New stooges
I like to think I prepare myself to be flexible and adaptable, always at the ready for strange and unforeseen opportunities that come my way. Like a corporate executive smelling out opportunity from … more
|
Areas of fern growth are abundant in upland forest, and most of it is the invasive hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula). Thanks to a botanist who accompanied our trip, we found a few stands of New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis). From a distance, New York fern and hay-scented fern appear similar, but on close inspection, the NY fern (left) shows thin leaflets with a smooth end, while the hay-scented fern (right) has broader leaflets with fine serrations.
Think outside
If you like to be outside and don’t care for the oppressive mid-day heat that is usually around in mid-summer, then this is the time for you.  The first several days of September gave … more
|
The little sulphur mayfly, subject to different feeding patterns on two Catskill tailwaters.
Some interesting differences in trout feeding
Those of you who regularly read this column know that I have written extensively about the little sulphur mayfly. Ever since the implementation of the water releases legislation in 1976, the time and … more
|
Mrs. Hill diligently and expertly peels and slices the peaches.
Two steps forward, one step back
We almost had a head start. By almost, I mean we did have a head start, until it turned into a false start. I’m not sure how many seasonal canning people are out there right now cursing the … more
|
European hornets can be readily recognized due to their size as one of the largest hornets in the Upper Delaware River region (they’re an inch or more in length), as well as their distinctive coloration. The head is red and yellow, the thorax red and brown, and the abdomen is mostly yellow, with rows of brown teardrops.
What was(p) that?!
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks,” wrote the renowned naturalist and conservationist, John Muir. While I normally wouldn’t take issue with Muir and his … more
|
Milkweed bugs are largely found on milkweed plants; their bright orange and black markings advertise to predators that a very noxious meal awaits. Unlike monarch larvae, milkweed bugs can feed on other plants, such as oleander. Younger individuals in nymph stage resemble oversize orange aphids; later instars will show wing development.
Nature’s chemical weapon
We all have likely seen at least one monarch butterfly flying around the garden over the course of the summer, or perhaps we have spotted monarch caterpillars on milkweed plants. If you look closely … more
A large deposit of very fine silt left along the East Branch after the high water associated with Hurricane Debby.
Trouble on the East Branch?
The first time I fished for trout in the East Branch of the Delaware River was over Memorial Day weekend in 1959. It was shortly after New York City completed the construction of Pepacton Reservoir … more
|
Showy goldenrod and its smooth tapering foliage is often misunderstood to be the flowering plant aggravating fall allergies. Goldenrod is variable in form, but generally displays brilliant splashes of bright yellow flowers with slender leaves. Not to be confused with ragweed, which blooms concurrently and launches vexatious pollen that stimulates respiratory allergies for some, goldenrod is a benign and important source of support for many pollinators.
Spare the ‘rod
Are you sneezing and wheezing as you make your way around the upper Delaware River region lately? Have you spied the brilliant yellow blooms of goldenrod and blamed them for your suffering?  … more
« Prev | 1 … 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 … 15 | Next »
Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
For all older stories, please use our advanced search.

© Copyright 2025 Stuart Communications, Inc. | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions