I love this time of year. After the exuberance of summer and the vibrant colors of fall, I’m thankful for the days growing shorter. The nights longer. Temperatures falling. Silhouettes of bare branches against a leaden sky promising snow. All of nature winding down. Encouraging quiet. Reflection. Introspection. [more]
A Call for Citizen Scientists!
Although the winter season will soon be in full force here in Western NY, this is actually the best time to explore the area’s forests – at least when searching for an invasive pest known as Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). HWA is an aphid-like insect, originating from Asia, which veils itself under white, woolly masses as it feeds on sap at the base of hemlock tree needles. An individual tree will succumb to HWA in under a decade if an infestation goes unnoticed. This deadly bug has been progressively moving in on Western New York as it has...
read moreMonarch Butterfly
This is obviously a bit of a throwback to earlier this summer and yet another gorgeous Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterfly enjoying some nectar in a garden. Have you seen any more Monarchs hurrying their way south in November? Considering how warm it has been in some areas there is still a chance to spot one or two here or there after having emerged recently, trying to elude the snow. Most of the Monarch butterfly population has already made their way to the wintering grounds in Mexico. Some of the species does overwinter in California, and...
read moreGiving Tuesday 2016
Giving Tuesday is a day when each of us can express our appreciation for the causes that matter to us. With your contribution to RTPI, we can continue to carry on Roger Tory Peterson’s legacy through Art, Education and Conservation. Your support makes all the difference. Help us fulfill our mission by making a contribution today! https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/rtpi
read moreSmall Business Saturday
On November 26th we will celebrate Small Business Saturday! This is a special day to show your love for the small businesses in your community, and in our case to support our many nature-oriented programs! To show our appreciation, we’re offering 10% OFF ALL NATURE STORE PURCHASES. So mark your calendar, and get ready to Shop Small with us. You’re sure to find something unique and inspiring for everyone on your shopping list. Thanks for your support!
read moreCome Visit Us at the Snow Show!
With last weekend’s storm marking the region’s first winter blast, many are ready to head south while the rest of us are getting prepared for the hopes of a snowy season. Personally I’m hoping for a VERY snowy winter so that outdoor recreationalists will get the chance to take part in the fourth iteration of the “Nature at Your Fingertips” cell phone tour! Once again RTPI is working closely with the snowmobile clubs of Chautauqua County to make this project happen, and our friends at Orbitist have added several new...
read moreRTPI to Host ‘Focus On Nature XIV’ Exhibition
Focus on Nature XIV, an exhibition organized by the New York State Museum, will be presented at RTPI from December 3, 2016 through April 9, 2017. Like Roger Tory Peterson, the artists featured in this show demonstrate the role illustration plays in natural science research and education, to stimulate curiosity about the world, and bring clearly into focus images of nature that people might not otherwise be aware of or able to visualize. Since its inception in 1990, the New York State Museum’s Focus on Nature exhibit series has reflected the...
read moreRTPI’s Holiday Open House Saturday, December 3
RTPI invites you to our annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 3 from 10:00AM – 4:00PM. Guests who attend the event will enjoy free admission into our current exhibits and light refreshments, and they will be entered into a drawing to win a signed, limited-edition Roger Tory Peterson print. This event is part of Swedish Christmas Market Day in Jamestown – Julmarknad, organized by the Scandinavian Studies Program at Jamestown Community College. Many of Roger Tory Peterson’s field guide plates, original paintings,...
read moreNature Store Gifts
It may be hard to believe but Thanksgiving is this week! As we enter the holiday season don’t forget about RTPI’s Nature Store which features an array of books and other products that are unique to this area. Visitors to our store will find the newest and most popular Peterson Field Guide titles, signed, limited-edition Peterson prints, Peterson notecards, bird-friendly coffee, faire trade jewelry, children’s books, and more. Recently added items include Droll Yankees bird feeders, Wild Republic plush animals and a wider variety of...
read moreNovember Supermoon
Whoa! How about that Supermoon, eh? This was the scene near sunset tonight as the moon was pulled out from the remains of the fall foliage. There are all sorts of classifications about how it is the biggest fullest and brightest and so on since this long or until then, and they have honestly all gone over my head. It was a gorgeous sight to see rising up on the horizon, and many millions of people are no doubt staring up at it tonight. If you have not, go do so! Or you can try tomorrow night, but beware of the cloudy conditions that may be...
read moreFall Sunset
This was a surprising sunset last week on a day that I did not expect any sort of light show. It turns out that the clouds parted just enough to let the light in while getting that special glow. Unfortunately I was rather far from any water or hill, unable to get a great view of a spectacular scene unfolding so rapidly and ending so briefly. After a moment of thought – and a minute of two of running for my camera and swapping lenses – I noticed that I was soaking in the sunset from behind the bare branches and falling leaves. I...
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