Tracking the Present
#WildlifeLove: Rethinking the Humble Beaver
Beavers figured prominently in North America’s past — they were appreciated by Indigenous people for millennia, and are the main reason the Dutch chose the Hudson Valley to settle. Yet they could play an even bigger role in our future....
#WildlifeLove: 9 Wild Facts about Porcupines
Arguably, the porcupine — technically, the North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) — is the Hudson Valley’s oddest-looking creature. Everybody knows about their quills, but we discovered there’s lots more to learn about these elusive mammals, including unusual calls and smells and...
The Coast Guard’s Icebreakers Are Back at Work
It’s almost unbelievable now to imagine that there was a point during the early 20th century when cars could zip across the solid surface of the frozen river from Nyack to Tarrytown with ease. While the river probably won’t freeze...
Quiz: Hudson Valley Animal Tracks
When you’re outside exploring this winter or spring, you’re likely to come across various local animals’ prints in the snow (or in the case of the creatures who hibernate, in the mud). How many of their hoof, claw and paw...
The Winter Survival Guide for Hudson Valley Animals
Hibernating sounds simple (and appealing): Just stuff yourself with rich foods like nuts all fall, then crawl into a cozy underground den and ride out the winter unconscious. The animals of the Hudson Valley actually have more complex, and varied,...
Guided Foraging in the Hudson Valley
Tramping through a patch of woods in the Hudson Highlands between Beacon and Cold Spring, James O’Neill points out edible plants and mushrooms, explaining how to identify each, how to best prepare them, and even why, environmentally speaking, you should...
#WildlifeLove: Why We’re Nuts About Gray Squirrels
They dart in front of your car, maybe even your bike, then double back — squirrels may seem extra-erratic this time of year. But as we gear up for winter, it’s time to fully appreciate the creature that may actually...
Poughkeepsie’s Massive Crow Roost
As the weather cools off, crows flock to Poughkeepsie by the thousands to join a communal roost, a ritual that’s been recurring in the area for at least four decades. Though the exact roost site changes slightly from year to...