The long nights will continue to creep into life for a little over a week more. In the changing world of the living, the mathematical precision of day length is unwavering. There is a comfort there, but also a gauntlet of emotions to run as the winter solstice approaches. The longest night is ...

The first day of winter, December 21st, is defined by the year’s shortest day and longest night. The good news is that days get just a bit longer each day thereafter. The first day of winter is often called the winter solstice, but the solstice is actually a moment in time, not an entire ...

Have you ever thought about soil? How it’s formed, what it’s composed of, where it comes from and what lives within it? Soil is so much more than dirt and mud. In reality, it is a precious medley of minerals, microbes and nutrient-rich organic matter, forming ever so slowly, perhaps only ...

I have to confess that I absolutely love the wetlands at the Audubon Community Nature Center. The swamps, ponds, and marshes provide every day opportunities to see wildlife and plants that are hard to find in other places. There are muskrats swimming in the ponds, mink loping across the ...

It looks like it’s finally going to be a grosbeak winter. Back in early November I read forecasts that evening grosbeaks would head south in impressive numbers this winter. If you’re not familiar with evening grosbeaks, you’re in for a treat. These robust irruptive finches are totally ...

The scenic and bountiful waterways, forests and fields of the Chautauqua region are what make it a special place to live and visit. Healthy waterways in particular are a vital part of our region’s quality of life and economy. They are sources of recreation, tourism, local industry and ...