Ghost Plant
Now that our outdoors are covered in white I thought it would be nice to post a splash of color to liven up the winter months. However, when looking through my plant images I noticed this picture of a clump of Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) in the mix. Somehow their lack of color seemed appropriate for the time of year – and fascinating too. Lack of color in plants translates into a lack of chlorophyl, the pigments and associated cellular complexes that allow green plants to photosynthesize & turn solar energy into living matter, thus fueling all other life on our planet. Indian...
Read MoreBack to Winter
And we are back to winter! It has certainly been a turbulent ride over the past few months, but January is returning to normal for us for now. Whatever your plans may be this weekend we hope you have a wonderful one while staying safe and warm. If you can find some time to play outside, please do! Enjoy the snow and take a break to soak in some nature.
Read MoreStart of a New Season
Happy 1st day of winter everyone! Today marks the first day of a hopefully snow-filled season as well as the official beginning of the snowmobiling season. Remember before hitting the trails on your snowmobile, skis or snowshoes to grab your cell phone so that you can explore the many fascinating stories waiting to be told through the “Nature at Your Fingertips” cell phone tour. This tour couldn’t have been possible without the help of the Snowmobile Clubs of Chautauqua County (Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Club, Cherry Creek Sno-Goers, Ellery Sno-Cruisers, Lake-Effect Trail...
Read MoreCooper’s Hawk
This Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) was not feeling the freezing rain after it flipped from snow, though its outrageously orange eyes did match its vest quite well. Life is hard for these hawks in the winter as every successful capture helps to stave off potential starvation, a problem frequently seen in juveniles. However, a bird that has reached the age this one has undoubtedly possesses finely-tuned hunting skills.
Read MoreRTPI Winter Wonderland
It’s a winter wonderland at RTPI today – come visit us for some wonderful last minute Christmas shopping and marvel at some of the world’s best nature illustrations in our Focus on Nature show.
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