Nature Note: A Naturalist's Travels Through Nature

Adult snapping turtle at Beaver Lake in Baldwinsville, NY About two weeks ago on a visit to Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville, NY, I spied a snapping turtle ( Chelydra serpentina ), paddling in the shallows of the pond. Rising from the muddy depths with plodding steps, it poked its head out of the water for a quick breather and a glance around. Fortunately I wasn't planning on going swimming that day, but certainly many a swimmer has felt the rush of adrenalin and pang of fear as they notice these ancient reptiles cruising past their toes! Snapping turtles have always had a fearsome reputation. Their fast and powerful bites are what enables them to capture fish, frogs, snakes, mice, and carrion, as well as some plant matter as well. Their bite force, while powerful, isn't the most powerful of all turtle species. According to a study by scientists from University of Amherst, University of Miami, and University of Massachusetts found that while the snapping tur...

What a day yesterday! I got two more lifers and saw a ton of species for my year list. It was such a great day and tiring too. I was so beat when I got in and so pumped after all that I'd experienced. I visited at the perfect time it seemed. Shorebirds were stacking up on the main pool/mudflats and it seemed like everyone was filling themselves up for the warmer months ahead. With new camera in hand and notes taken, I headed off to document my roaming. Here's what I found. Icterids like Red-winged Blackbirds ( Agelaius phoeniceus ), Common Grackles ( Quiscalus quiscula ), and Brown-headed Cowbirds ( Molothrus ater ) were so common, especially around the visitors center. Everywhere you turned your eyes and ears you saw and heard the chacking, clinking, and checking of these black flocking birds. Northern Cardinal ( Cardinalis cardinalis ) seen at the visitors center. The Raymond Pool was teeming with bird life. Dunlins ( Calidris alpina ) flurried around and fed feve...