It is inevitable. Regardless of how nice the summer has been, a time comes in September when the first frost of the season coats every exposed surface with a layer of ice crystals and brings about the official end of the growing season. [Read more…] about The Inevitable First Frost
snakes
Recent Wildlife Rescues & Encounters: Loggerhead Turtle, NYC Pythons & Caged Whitetail Deer
In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors began serving to protect the natural resources of New York State. In 2022, Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responded to more than 25,600 calls.
What follows are recently reported incidents involving wildlife rescues: [Read more…] about Recent Wildlife Rescues & Encounters: Loggerhead Turtle, NYC Pythons & Caged Whitetail Deer
Cliffs Host Varied Flora and Fauna
On a recent hike up Eagle Mountain in Milton, Vermont, we climbed to a ledge overlooking Lake Champlain. Turkey vultures soared overhead, tilting back and forth on the breeze. A sheer cliff dropped to the forest below us, a lush variety of plants clinging to its face. Cliffs are defined as areas of exposed bedrock with a slope greater than 60 degrees. We tend to think of cliffs as solely geological features. But they also host distinct natural communities of plants and animals. [Read more…] about Cliffs Host Varied Flora and Fauna
Recent Wildlife Rescues & Encounters: Rattler, Owl, Eagle, Turtle & Rabid Fox
In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors began serving to protect the natural resources of New York State. In 2022, Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responded to more than 25,600 calls. What follows are recently reported incidents involving wildlife rescues: [Read more…] about Recent Wildlife Rescues & Encounters: Rattler, Owl, Eagle, Turtle & Rabid Fox
New York Snake Stories: Burmese Python Seized; ‘Rattled’ Service Workers
On July 13th, New York State Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Lieutenant Unger and ECO Kochanowski responded to a Nassau County, Long Island residence after receiving a report that the homeowner wanted to turn in a 14-foot Burmese python. [Read more…] about New York Snake Stories: Burmese Python Seized; ‘Rattled’ Service Workers
What Kind of Snake is That?
During the spring and summer months, many species of snakes move from overwintering sites in search of open areas where they can do essential activities, like eating and digesting food, shedding, basking, and reproducing. Many sites happen to be on land that people inhabit. Often, snakes are found in un-mowed lawns, gardens, rock walls, landscape features, woodpiles, construction debris or scrap piles, old buildings, and docks, as well as in more natural areas like rock ledges, fallen trees, and various wetland types. [Read more…] about What Kind of Snake is That?
14-Foot Python Found On Long Island
According to a press release issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, on February 14th, Environmental Conservation Officers Kaufherr and Zullo received a report of a large snake, approximately 12 feet in length, on the side of the road in Medford, in the town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, on Long Island. [Read more…] about 14-Foot Python Found On Long Island
Orange County Man Ticketed After Killing Rattlesnake
According to a press release issued by DEC, in July, Environmental Conservation Officers in Orange County, NY received a tip from the Woodbury Police Department about a rattlesnake found dead in a driveway with its head cut off and rattle missing. [Read more…] about Orange County Man Ticketed After Killing Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake Makes Surprise Visit to Delaware County Living Room
According to a press release issued by DEC, on July 6th at approximately 3 am, NYS Environmental Conservation Officer Osborne responded to a complaint of a rattlesnake in a residence in the town of Hancock, Delaware County, NY. [Read more…] about Rattlesnake Makes Surprise Visit to Delaware County Living Room
Poetry: Rattlers Working Northward
Rattlers Working Northward
The late Cub Schaefer swore he once
dodged a rattlesnake on the trail up
Crane Mountain from the Putnam Farm.
But Cub had a reputation for the magical,
plus a smile broad as the Hudson River
—to put the utmost polite spin on it.
Years later, eastern rattlesnake expert
Martin Martin told me rattlers live no
farther north in the Adirondack Region
than Lake George, far south of here,
not to mention Crane’s elevation.
Global climate change does urge rattlers
on now, pushing their range northward.
Still, it’s a far cry south to Lake George,
and summer nights can be cold here.