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By BILL DANIELSON

Anyone who has ever dabbled in the art of photography will understand that you find yourself at the mercy of your environment. Of course, I am speaking of outdoor photography in this case. Studio photography is an entirely different organism because in that particular endeavor the art lies in manufacturing an environment. If you are outdoors, however, you have to find ways to make due with what you’ve got on any particular day.

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — A New Salem company has been tapped to construct an outdoor classroom pavilion at Fisher Hill Elementary School.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Aliza Fassler is a scientist who spends a lot of time outdoors, and the Greenfield native offers a tip that can lead to an extraordinary experience. The next time you’re perspiring while outdoors on a warm day, keep an eye out for a tiny flying insect. If a golden green sweat bee (Augochlorella aurata) lands on you, there’s a chance you could observe it licking the salt on your skin. If you look carefully, you might even see its miniscule tongue. “It tickles!” said Fassler.

By BILL DANIELSON

Anyone who makes a regular habit of watching birds will recognize that there is a predictable rhythm to the seasons. Winter is the harshest time of year and as a result there are fewer species to look for. At my house, in the month of January, I have managed to see a maximum of 31 different species. Different people living in different places will probably see a smaller number than that, but there may be the occasional yard that has more species to offer.

By BILL DANIELSON

The final week of 2024 was particularly calm and delightful for me. After the hustle and bustle of hosting a family gathering, my wife and I were able to nestle down into the “holiday bunker” and enjoy some much-needed R&R. For one solid week we were...

By BILL DANIELSON

Happy New Year everybody! I was delighted to have a snowy celebration for this iconic winter holiday and I hope that you are sitting happily with your feet up and a warm beverage in your hand. I am just finishing an hour of bird watching at my kitchen...

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Stepping into an animal enclosure after dusk on Friday the 13th, I moved slowly among feathery shapes that appeared grey in December’s early darkness. The full moon, low in the sky, was the only light source; the atmosphere was eerie and wholly...

By BILL DANIELSON

It was just another morning at the kitchen window. During the school year I am a prisoner of “teacher time,” which means that I wake up at 4:30 a.m. every morning, whether I want to or not. Weekends, holidays, you name it, I’m up. So, rather than...

By BILL DANIELSON

My last visit to the Thinking Chair occurred on Sunday, Oct. 20. It was a bright, sunny day and there had been a frost during the night and this produced some interesting effects on the remaining leaves down in the meadow. The following Saturday was...

By BILL DANIELSON

It was the morning of Thanksgiving Day and I was up early. Guests were still asleep and I was done with the morning chores. A pot of fresh coffee had been brewed, a fire was crackling happily in the wood stove (front doors open so the fire was...

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

When an opossum isn’t just “playing possum,” Amelie Dricut-Ziter, who runs the Leyden Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation, is there to help. At her home in Leyden, Dricut-Ziter has created space for injured or sick wildlife. Some are animals that...

By SHERYL HUNTER

Enjoy your Thanksgiving feasting with family and friends because the holiday season officially kicks off tomorrow. For many people this is their favorite time of year, and if you count yourself in that category you will have plenty to enjoy in the...

By BILL DANIELSON

Thanksgiving is here and I couldn’t be happier. 2024 has been an “interesting” year and I, for one, just need a break. Even the hustle and bustle of the holiday (the shopping, cooking, traveling, or hosting) can be a delightful distraction from the...