Wild Adirondacks

A ‘three-legged stool’ of hemlock conservation adirondackexplorer.org/environment/in…

The Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) is a large conifer which flourishes throughout the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. wildadirondacks.org/trees-of-the-a…

The truth about fishers, a much-feared, misunderstood weasel adirondackexplorer.org/environment/wi…

This Mallard is engaged in some serious feather maintenance. Preening like this keeps the duck’s feathers soft, pliable, and waterproof. Mallard on the Ausable River, Lake Placid, NY (25 March 2026). wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-bir…

Woodchucks (Marmota monax) are large burrowing rodents with grizzled brown fur. This Woodchuck family made its home under our back shed a few years back. wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-mam…

This article argues that wildlife videos focus too narrowly on instilling an appreciation for nature; they should focus more on urging viewers to take action to protect it. But creating an awareness of the natural world is the necessary first step. Social media is filled with posts that incorporate some “call to action” or requests for donations to some worthy conservation-related cause. My sense is that many people are repelled by this, so wildlife videographers must tread a fine line between nurturing an appreciation of the natural world and efforts to turn nature-lovers into activists. Thoughts?

Wildlife goes viral on YouTube, but conservation is missing wildlife.org/wildlife-goes-…

@pnwkate @sneminaj But your work is inspiring a lot of people to appreciate and cherish nature! Don't give up.

@sneminaj Me. It wasn’t meant to be this hard. It wasn’t meant to be a daily struggle to simply exist. And every day it gets worse - I keep thinking it can’t get any lower and boom! New level unlocked 😞 sometimes I just want to give up. But have birds - soul food. 👍

Anybody else walking around with never-ending grief about the way their life was supposed to be?

Canada Geese mate for life, only finding a new partner if one dies. This Canada Goose pair chose a small island of vegetation to raise their offspring. 14 April 2025. wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-bir…

White Water-lily is a floating aquatic plant common in marshes, ponds, and slow-moving streams in the Adirondacks. White Water-Lilies on Heron Marsh at the Paul Smiths VIC (14 July 2019). wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-wil…

Evening grosbeaks: Flashy, loud and vanishing from our forests adirondackexplorer.org/environment/wi…

@pnwkate Serious feather maintenance!

A minute of nature therapy with a lovely northern harrier grooming beautiful feathers at the edge of the salt marsh with a line of snow geese in the background ❤️🇨🇦

To carry food back to their burrows, Eastern Chipmunks pack nuts and seeds into cheek pouches on each side of their mouths, as this chipmunk is doing. Eastern Chipmunk, Heaven Hill (8 August 2024). wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-mam…

This pond and surrounding wetlands attract a wide variety of birds, including warblers, ducks, and Common Loons. Osgood Pond, Franklin County, NY. wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-wet…

Alert: The roads are alive. And they are moist. Somewhere out there, a salamander just checked the weather and said, “Tonight’s the night.” Welcome to the annual amphibian migration, also known as Big Night. After spending all winter hunkered down, amphibians like frogs, toads, and salamanders emerge all at once and start marching toward their breeding areas. The problem is… roads exist. And Big Night often turns into Big Crossing. If it’s warm (above 40°F), rainy, and the ground has thawed, keep an eye out. You might see a spotted salamander or a determined frog making questionable life choices across the pavement. Video by Keith Ramos/USFWS Video description: a spotted salamander with yellow spots crosses a gravel road

The Mourning Warbler breeds in second-growth forests in Canada and much of New York State and New England. Mourning Warbler, Uihlein Farm, Lake Placid, New York (29 May 2025). wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-bir…

The Red Admiral is a medium-sized orange and black butterfly that flies in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York throughout the summer. Red Admiral, John Brown Farm, Lake Placid, New York (8 June 2019) wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-but…

How to spot old trees and old-growth forests in the Adirondacks adirondackexplorer.org/environment/na…

Red squirrels remain active all winter, growing a thick coat to stay warm. Their long, bushy tails act as an extra blanket for additional warmth. Red Squirrel, our backyard (20 March 2026) wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-mam…