More Frosty Mornings
This autumn has certainly been an interesting one as far as weather goes! Our first frost came rather late and last week we seemed to have had an “Indian Summer” with temperatures in the 60’s and even low 70’s…quite toasty for early November! While winter is still a little ways out, it will be interesting to see how El Niño continues to influence our weather patterns here in the Northeast. This week seems to be back to normal average temperatures, giving us freezing overnight lows and frosty mornings, but next week is forecasted to be warm once again. No matter...
Read MoreSnowy Trails
This weekend brought a small bought of freezing rain that made things a bit slick, but coated the bare deciduous trees and shrubs in a thin layer of ice and snow, creating a spectacular winter scene throughout the area. It’s incredible to think that just a couple months ago all the trees and shrubs were in full foliage, sporting bright oranges, yellows and reds, and in only a matter of a couple more months and they will be covered in green once again. Whether you prefer a snowy landscape or a thriving colorful landscape, the region certainly provides a variety of beautiful scenes...
Read MoreWet Mockingbird
I don’t know what a forlorn bird looks like but I think it is something close to this Northern Mockingbird thanks to some wet, cold, and dreary weather. Personally I love our four seasons and embrace the rotation of life they feature all around us. I wonder if birds like this one know spring is only a few months away… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreGroundhog (Marmota monax)
It is about to turn into a very chilly weekend for us in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region after a week of warm temperatures and a lot of sun. This Groundhog (Marmota monax), or whatever else you prefer to call the rodent among its many names, has to be in a hurry to eat all it can now. The species is always highlighted when they come out of hibernation to “predict” the end of the winter and early spring seasons. However, if you watch them in autumn you will see a lot of activity out of the increasingly fatter individuals as they prepare to hibernate. A good “night” to...
Read MoreGroundhog (Marmota monax) by Scott Kruitbosch
Tomorrow is Groundhog (Marmota monax) Day! We all know the basics – if the groundhog sees his shadow that means we have six more weeks of winter and if he does not we will have an early spring. While bearing in mind these rodents don’t have meteorological degrees and cannot move the sun to change our seasons it seems that the basic historical notion is rooted in weather observation. If the sun is shining we are likely under high pressure continuing cold or average temperatures and dry conditions, like much of what we had recently. Clouds obscuring the sun entirely are often due...
Read More
