A Snake on the Step

I stepped out the front door this week and ran into this little guy on the front step. We were both surprised to be looking at each other, but I got his picture! Don’t worry though. If you come to our house, he has been relocated to a spot where he doesn’t have to look at me or any tourists who might scare him!

To learn more about garter snakes look here.

Bits of Everything

Whitehall School Budget Set For Vote

The Whitehall Times has a good piece on the school budget up for vote next week. I’ll have more analysis over the weekend.

Mammals, Mammals, Everywhere

The Adirondack Almanack has a really interesting piece on the number of mammals in the Adirondacks. It has some great statistics about the moose and bear populations.

NY Post Picks Lake George

Lake George is ranked # 2 in a NY Post survey of inexpensive destinations close to NY City. Then again, you know that!

Bits of Everything


The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Take Two

Ever heard that Japanese knotweed or garlic mustard threaten the Adirondacks? Well they do. Read the Adirondack Alamanacks’ article on how the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) was one of 26 projects across New York State to receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s highest honor: the Environmental Quality Award.

This is Wrong: NY State as the Godfather

The State of NY has gone off the deep end with this move. Expect more businesses to leave NY over this one.

Washington County Sales Tax Down

This is not good news for next years Washington County Budget.

The Robin

Here is a picture of a robin that was spotted in Huletts this week.

“The quintessential early bird, American Robins are common sights on lawns across North America, where you often see them tugging earthworms out of the ground. Robins are popular birds for their warm orange breast, cheery song, and early appearance at the end of winter. Robins are the largest North American thrushes, and their profile offers a good chance to learn the basic shape of most thrushes. Robins make a good reference point for comparing the size and shape of other birds, too. They bound across lawns or stand erect, beak tilted upward, to survey their environs. When alighting they habitually flick their tails downward several times.”



Black Market Animal Trade Busted

ALBANY, NY (03/19/2009) An extensive undercover investigation into the poaching, smuggling and illegal sale of protected reptiles and amphibians by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has led to charges against 18 individuals for 14 felonies, 11 misdemeanors and dozens of violations, DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today.

These are some of the types of turtles that were being poached.

To read about the operation click here.