WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Tis the season for hunting. Here is a photo from my maternal Grandfather’s family farm in the Town of Gardiner, Ulster County from the early 1930s. Description reads “unknow friends of Bob Jansen (my Grandfather). Just look how dressed up they were to huntContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? A fellow member of my rod & gun club let me use his walk-in cooler this year to hang deer in. It’s basically an insulated room with a regular AC unit installed. The AC unit is tricked out to cool to 36 degrees orContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Deer season ended early for me this year. Last year it was 2 does & this year 2 bucks & 1 doe (2 deer taken during archery). Got this medium-sized buck on Opening Day of Gun Season. This guy must have been rubbing someContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Had to go to Stamford, CT recently and came across this tree growing on its own in some woods between a housing complex and doctor’s offices. Its yellow foliage, star-shaped leaves, with spherical spiky fruit heads caught my attention. It’s sweetgum or Liquidambar styraciflua.Continue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I transplanted this sycamore 6 or so years ago. Last winter I took a photo of it. At the time, it showed no signs of the bark flaking. As sycamore matures, its bark begins to take on a camouflage pattern with flaking bark thatContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? The fruit winner for 2025 in my neck of the woods goes to autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata). Autumn olive is on the naughty list or rather listed as “invasive” by the State of New York. Though I would argue that autumn olive is notContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? It’s been a while since I found a big one like this. Until a few days ago, things were pretty dry from the lack of rain. After that first measurable rainfall, this big guy popped up–a giant puffball. They are edible when white andContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Got another chance to help out on a prescribed burn yesterday (October 10th) at the Albany Pine Bush. We burned 6 acres beneath a powerline corridor to reduce woody growth encroachment, encourage warm-season grasses and forbs, and wild blue lupine. Tyler Briggs is theContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Streams are pretty low right now. Since I normally go for trout found in streams, I haven’t fished since early summer due to low flow. Trout are stressed when streams are down, probably due to higher stream temperatures, lower oxygen levels, and less foodContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? The kids look cute on their first day of school last week but notice the background. September marks the beginning signs of fall’s “golden rays.” I’m mesmerized by the golden appearance these rays cast through the trees, especially as fall foliage unfurls. Oak’s deepContinue Reading