Field Sparrow
This Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) actually flew directly towards me and my dog to perch on this white pine branch this morning. It looked us over for a minute and then went back to snacking. It is another great example of a lovely bird that we can still find even in the..uh, cold days of November? It is November, and apart from the low sun angle and early sunset it felt like it could have been late August out there today. This will undoubtedly keep birds with us a little longer with easier to survive temperatures, poor migratory conditions because of the southerly flow, and prolonged...
Read MoreAir Pollution in New York and Connecticut
Here’s the view from Stratford Point in Stratford, Connecticut on a recent March morning. There was no wind to speak of, even here on the coast, or throughout the Long Island Sound region. This lack of mixing in the surface air and atmosphere meant that haze and abundant air pollution was remaining directly over land and readily apparent. It did not take long for a sea breeze to develop as the day warmed followed by a light regional southerly flow, cleansing what was sitting on top of us. Nevertheless, it is stark reminder of what we are putting into the air we breathe while...
Read MoreRincon de La Vieja National Park
To contrast some of the winter scenery I have posted recently, not to mention the very wet and rainy tropical rainforests our RTPI research crew and friends have been working in during their time in Costa Rica, here is some vastly different habitat in Rincon de La Vieja National Park as photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser. You can see noticeably dry forest set against a blue sky and almost feel the flow of these hot springs in front of a tree that looks to be taken directly from fantasy. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSnowy Owl in Erie, Pennsylvania by Michele Rundquist-Franz
Michele Rundquist-Franz, President of the Presque Isle Audubon Society, sent me this stupendous photo of a Snowy Owl taken last Wednesday, November 12. Michele took the photo of this bird on a roof of a home in Erie, Pennsylvania, noting this was approximately the same date Snowys started showing up in the coastal city last autumn. This weekend, with a cold northerly flow in place and a lot of birders outdoors, should yield more owl sightings. Get outside and find them – and good luck! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreA warm fall day
Temperatures are soaring upwards today to the mid 70s and the strong southerly flow responsible for the rise is taking a toll on the foliage! It even hit 80 in Buffalo. Get outdoors today and come visit us at RTPI as dozens of other visitors have already this Tuesday. Here’s a view from behind our building where folks are watching birds and enjoying the air.
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