Green Lakes: Large Silo Foundation

The many fields above the lakes hold historic agricultural treasures: foundations and machinery, hedgerows and lanes.

Green Lakes: Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

With its wings seemly at rest, it looks a bit like a penguin.

Spring Drifts, Softly

Green Lakes: Nesting Bluebird

Round Lake with Amelanchier Canadensis

Piliated Woodpecker at Green Lakes

Green Lakes State Park is rich ground for piliateds. Their usual habitat is the old-growth forest to the south of Round Lake, where the trees are so tall that it is hard to see much of them, much less get a picture, though they can be easily heard.

Green Lakes: First Day of Fall

New England Asters

Meadow in Mid-summer at Green Lakes SP

Menace: Purple Loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria: purple loosestrife, this beautiful plant is an invasive species of the first order. It is tough and adaptable. It will take over a wetland environment and destroy precious diversity. There are a couple hundred of these along the shore of Green Lake at Green Lakes State Park. An easy job at this point....

Green Lakes: Walk for Southern Sudan

Water, precious water. 

How easily I take it for granted. 

We were recently surrounded by it as we traveled along the Gaspe peninsula. 

Today we are walking at Green Lakes, where the water is clear and appears green.

We are challenged by those who would forever risk the pure water in the aquifers between here and West Virginia by hydrofracking. How, I ask, can we consider compromising the safety of the fresh water with which this planet is blessed? How can we? Money is at the heart of the matter, and that has made many people willing to take the risk, which I regard as an unacceptable risk.

And then, here at Green Lakes, I find this sign along the way, left from over the weekend when there was a walk for aid for southern Sudan, which has very little water, and for which people must walk many miles.

Green Lakes

Growing on the upland meadow.

Dog in the Mud

Yes, that is her tongue. Yes, the mud is off-gassing. We took a shower when we got home from Green Lakes, where we spent much of Monday. 

If you spend much time looking at this blog, you recognize Joli, our sweet and interesting Border Collie companion of 13 years.

JDo would most happily spend all day in the water.

Blow this image up for full tongue effect.

Bluebirds at Green Lakes

Green Lakes SP staff have set out lots of bluebird boxes. Joli and I walked in the upper meadows of the park today and observed many nesting pairs. I believe, though I know it seems unlikely, that in this twin set of boxes there are two pairs of bluebirds, even though usually a second box is only adjacent so that there will still be a box for the bluebirds after the sparrows have occupied the one they want to call home. 

Round Lake as Spring Advances

Joli at Round Lake, one happy dog in the water. The first blush of green is on the steep walls of the lakes and we sighted 6 pileated woodpeckers this morning. 

Round Lake During a Shower

Round Lake

Yes, I jazzed up this photo. I have finally switched to RAW and am having so much fun.

Round Lake and its companion, Green Lake, collectively within Green Lakes State Park, are plunge basins. So much of the topography in upstate NY is explained by the relentless action of glaciers. Here, a lake of melt water on top of a glacier at least a mile thick broke loose with a waterfall that bore these holes, both over 175 feet deep. The lakes are primarily spring-fed. There is a third plunge basin a few miles away at Clark Reservation, also dramatic and interesting in its geology and botany.

Round Lake is designated a Registered Natural Landmark, giving it and the surrounding old forest additional protection. 

There is an air of mystery attached to the lakes. People will tell you that they are bottomless.