Category Archives: Nature by the Seasons

Nature Minute episodes grouped for quick reference to what’s happening outside your window.

Nature Minute video: The Sordid Lives of the White-throated Sparrow

Biologist Kelly Rypkema introduces us to a secret benefit to birdwatching – dating advice. Trouble viewing? Watch on YouTube instead.

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Birds, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mating and Courtship, Spring, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Whazzat Bird?

While photographing the first flush of spring, I was surprised to find this bird in my viewfinder. I think of them more as a woodland bird, but here he was smushed in the confines of my tiny city park. Maybe more »

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Animals, Birds, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mating and Courtship, Nature by the Seasons, News, Photos, Spring | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Confessions of a First-time Amphibian Wrangler

I remember the first time I saw a tadpole in mid-metamorphosis. It still had that small fishy mouth, and swimming tail…and then these strange little legs sticking out. I had studied all that in books, but to see it happening more »

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Animals, Articles, Mating and Courtship, Nature by the Seasons, News, People and Nature, Reptiles and Amphibians, Spring, Wildlife Conservation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wood Frog Love

Wood frogs partially freeze to survive the winter. And yes…those two wood frogs are doing what you think they’re doing. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Spring amphibian migration is only a couple weeks away, when certain toads, salamanders, and frogs, like more »

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Animals, Mating and Courtship, News, Photos, Reptiles and Amphibians, Spring, Winter | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Nature Minute video: Woodpeckers leave their mark on NYC – and feed city wildlife

Without leaves to block our view, winter is an excellent time to take a peek into the lives of city animals and see the daily challenges they face. One type of woodpecker has drilled very distinctive designs throughout NYC’s parks more »

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Birds, Fall, Habitats of City Wildlife, Trees, Videos, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ask the Naturalist: Why do Hummingbirds Like Sapsuckers? A Nature Minute Video

If one species of animal can love another, then surely hummingbirds love sapsuckers. Find out why in this short video annotation. And see our episode: “Woodpeckers leave their mark on NYC” for the full story.

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Birds, Communication, Fall, Habitats of City Wildlife, Spiders and Insects, Trees, Videos, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Juniper Berry Jingle, a Nature in a New York Minute Video

Junipers are the source for a whole suite of products from gin to natural insecticide to…contraceptives? Biologist Kelly Rypkema shows us the real plant behind all these claims and shares her own special recipe for spicing up the holidays. Trouble more »

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Posted in Plants, Trees, Videos, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Juniper Mulling Mix Recipe

Spice up your apple cider, or other winter beverages, with juniper berries, appearing right now on the juniper trees (aka cedars) in your neighborhood. 1 tsp juniper berries 1 tsp whole allspice 1 tsp whole cloves fresh orange peel 1/4 more »

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Posted in Nature by the Seasons, News, Plants, Trees, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Burdock, a Nature in a New York Minute video

A plant quietly grows in our city that incited a revolution in how we fasten things together. Host Kelly Rypkema shows us what it looks like and shares this story of nature-inspired design involving Swiss engineer George de Mestral, some more »

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Posted in Fall, Nature by the Seasons, People and Nature, Plants, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Gifts from Sandy

I hope everyone is faring better from the effects of Hurricane Sandy as time passes. My neighborhood is slowly making progress. Dry wall, insulation, and sofas, all heavy with water, are being loaded into dumpsters. Downed limbs are being trimmed more »

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Posted in Animals, Articles, Birds, Fall, Mammals, News, People and Nature, Photos, Plants, Story Bites, Trees, Weather and Sky | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment