Category Archives: Fall

Take the Spider Web Challenge

I wasn’t kidding when I filmed this spider episode. Go out there, find a spider web and see if you can find out which silk fibers are sticky and which are not. (Adults, I’m talking to you too. Why should more »

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How to Build a Web Site – Nature Minute style

One lucky Autumn morning, I awoke to find this Argiope spider gracefully spinning the sticky part of her web. In the process, she might thrust her legs on that sticky silk more than 1000 times…. So why don’t spiders stick more »

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Posted in Animals, Fall, Nature by the Seasons, Predators and Prey, Spiders and Insects, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

9/11 Tribute in Light Attracts Many Eyes…and Birds

The “stars” in this photo are actually migrating birds circling around the 9/11 Tribute in Light memorial. The lights appear to draw the birds off their course, but thankfully the Municipal Art Society, which produces the memorial, is cooperating with more »

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Posted in Animal Behavior, Animals, Articles, Birds, Fall, Nature by the Seasons, News, People and Nature, Spring, Wildlife Conservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

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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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

The Free Lunch

This episode of “Around the Town,” companion series to “Nature in a NY Minute,” takes an up-close look at a lucky squirrel dining al fresco on some tasty-looking leftovers — until an unwelcome guest drops by for a visit.

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Posted in Animals, Fall, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mammals, Nature by the Seasons, Predators and Prey, Spring, Summer, Videos, Winter | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

The Local Color

Seeing red? In the Fall, New England certainly does. That brilliant red color is made by a mysterious pigment called anthocyanin. Only some plants produce it at this time of year, and scientists don’t agree on what it does. Some more »

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Why Leaves Leave

Autumn is a busy time for all plants as they prepare for winter, but only some plants have made the drastic decision for abscission. Biologist Kelly Rypkema gets in tune with the energetic flow of deciduous plants as their leaves more »

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