Neil Rizos: The Art of Exploration
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute (RTPI) is pleased to present Neil Rizos: The Art of Exploration, on display from September 15 – December 10, 2017. Be sure to check out our upcoming events next week centered on this exhibit which include opportunities to interact with the artist!
Read MoreAmerican Redstart Changing into Fall Plumage
Many of our migratory birds are on their second or third brood for the season already and slowly are starting to prepare for their journey south. Most flashy warblers molt out of their brightly colored breeding plumage in the next few weeks and will start migration once all flight feathers are grown in to the point that they can safely sustain their long journey. Although we have not quite reached Roger Tory Peterson’s notorious “Confusing Fall Warblers” level of alternate plumage yet, the first signs are here. Even though this male American Redstart still displays its characteristic black...
Read MoreRoot for Rain!
I post this U.S. Drought Monitor map periodically, and most of the time the focus is on a specific region. However, this December looks to be continuing both short and long-term droughts across wide swaths of the country. California’s disaster will need years or longer to heal, but the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains are also seeing some dry areas. The Southeast has turned very dry while our Northeast continues a severe to even extreme drought as well. The Great Lakes are helping our region stay near precipitation averages, but much of the rest of the country seems to be on a tough...
Read MoreStormy Skies
This late astronomical fall and early meteorological winter has felt a little different than last year’s El Niño conditions to say the least. We are seeing and feeling far more typical weather rather than the much above average temperatures the previous season yielded. Here is a picture of Stratford Point from my archives showing a very stormy sky near sunset in the middle of winter with a fair amount of snow on the ground. How much snow are you looking for this season? We may get plenty across the Northeast and Great Lakes, and that is good news for our “Nature at Your Fingertips”...
Read MoreYellow-rumped Warbler Portrait
The Yellow-rumped Warblers have now mostly departed, but this recent individual allowed for a close portrait while doing some midday dining.
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