American Bittern

This migratory bird is known as an American Bittern. In the summer we have found them along Cranberry Creek in the Thousand Islands area of New York. This one we found in Florida today at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.
It's not a partcularly rare bird, but it generally blends into its habitat so well that it is seldom seen. In this case, we caught him/her out hunting for critters in the green instead of hiding in the brown grasses.
Thought we'd share this one with you.
R

Common Buckeye

Hello Florida!

I just arrived a couple of days ago and am looking forward to leading tours and delivering educational programs to my friends and colleagues in Florida for the next few weeks.

In my first outing, with a new and more versatile camera, this beautiful butterfly posed for me. It is a Common Buckeye. Note the apprearance of one "eye" on each wing, thus the name it has been given. Just a little bit of info for all of us.

Will contuniue to go out and explore and learn and will pass on what I can in future Blog entries.

R

The number 5

The number 5 represents the current temperature in Glens Falls, NY where I am currently.
It also represents the number of days until I arrive in sunny (and much, much warmer), Florida to spend 6 weeks with my many friends and colleagues.
We'll be conducting several tours and presentations while we are there in the month of Janauary. So watch our calendar and this Blog at www.RogerFulton.com.
As always,
Roger

Northern NY Christmas tree

Here in NNY, we don't have to cut down a Christmas Tree. Nor do we have to decorate them. Mother nature does it all for us.
Here we share our favorite Christmas Tree with you,from Hovey Pond in Glens Falls, NY.
Happy Holidays!And see you soon!
R

Christmas presents - Our trail guides

You need unique Christmas presents for your active friends and family members. And, we need to occasionally pay our bills.
So it's a match made in heaven!Check out all of our Florida titles at: http://www.rogerfulton.com/ecotours/FLBooks/fltrailguides.htm
All titles are currently in stock and we will ship them ASAP so you'll have them to put under the tree or in their stockings for a Merry Christmas.

Mother Nature's Artwork - Northern style

From my old 1st Sergeant Vic LaPlante comes this beautiful vision where Mother Nature has put a glimmering coating of ice on some tree branches in his yard. However, in doing so, she knocked out the electricity for about 100,000 homes in the Albany, NY Region.
Mother Nature wins again!
Thanks to Vic for sharing.
And now you know why I'll be basking in the Florida sunshine in about two weeks. Mother Nature's Artwork is also pretty down there; and it's a LOT warmer!
See y'all soon.
Roger

Safe in the Woods - Free program - Jan '09

Safe in the Woods – Florida Wetlands Edition
As a part of the Florida Master Naturalist training program, Roger Fulton, Palmer Kelly and Randa Anderson developed a 1 hour Powerpoint program, titled How to be Safe in the Woods. It covers the basics of how to explore Florida’s natural areas, safely. Topics include how to read trail markings, what you need to be prepared to go out into the woods, and what to do if you do get disoriented or lost. This program will be presented FREE of charge to selected groups in Central Florida during the month of January, 2009 as time and space permit. Master Naturalist Roger Fulton will be the presenter. You provide the venue and group and he will provide the laptop and Powerpoint presentation. Call or e-mail to discuss or schedule. 386-956-6089 or Roger@RogerFulton.com. More info at http://www.RogerFulton.com and look under Speakers Bureau.

LWNWR Otter

From Chris Friesen we present this pic of a very bold otter who ventured up on the dikes of Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in DeLeon Springs the other day. They can be elusive. You won't see one for weeks, then you'll see several in one day. And this was Chris's day.
LWNWR is featured in our hiking, biking and wildlife viewing books for Central Florida.
Thanks Chris for sharing with us.
Roger