Snowshoeing at Bond Lake

This past Sunday my daughter and I went on a snowshoe hike at Bond Lake Park, which was organized by the folks at Paths, Peaks and Paddles. We had breakfast cooked in a dutch oven and then set out with about 30 other people for a hike through the snowy woods. They have a few more weekly snowshoe hikes set for the next few Tuesday evenings, while the snow lasts.

For more information about those and other programs offered by Paths, Peaks and Paddles, see http://www.pathspeakspaddles.com/ or call 716-213-0350

Fun at the Strong Museum

Last week the kids were off from school and one day we headed to Rochester to visit the Strong Museum of Play, one of our favorite places. Even my older two sons, ages 17 and 19 decided to come. The current exhibit, The Art of the Brick, is all about Lego building blocks, which they like to play with.

The museum was really crowded, as everyone who had off from school had the same idea. The parking lot was full and we had to park several blocks away. The kids had a great time. We spent about 4 1/2 hours there, could probably have spent more time, but the museum closes at 5 during the week.

Strong Museum of Play, http://www.museumofplay.com/ 585-263-2700, One Manhattan Square, Rochester

President's Day weekend in Mayville

One of the more fun winter festivals in western New York is taking place this weekend. The President's Days Weekend Winter Festival, formerly known as the Mayville Ice Festival, will take place February 12-14 at Lakeside Park in Mayville.

I have been to this festival a few times in the past and there are lots of fun things to do for the entire family. Some of the events include a polar bear swim, snowboarding and snowshoe demos, kids activities, horse-drawn rides, chili cook-off and more. Of course the main attraction is the ice castle, which is built from blocks of ice cut from Lake Chautauqua. It's been pretty cold, so I think the castle will be a go!

For more information, visit http://www.mayvillechautauquachamber.org/

Something to crow about

Here's a press release about an upcoming event at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.

The Uncommon Crow: A Hidden Life" lecture with Kevin McGowan
Saturday, February 13, 2010 at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Program at 7:00
An informal reception for Kevin will begin at 6 PM.

You've seen them in your yard. You've heard them in the trees. Now here's a chance to learn a little more about one of the most conspicuous year-round residents of Western New York, the American Crow.

You're invited to attend a free illustrated lecture called "The Uncommon Crow: A Hidden Life" with Cornell University ornithologist Kevin McGowan on Saturday, February 13th at 7 PM at the Peterson Institute.

Kevin, affiliated with both the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and The Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, will talk about some of the fascinating but often overlooked aspects of crow life. Kevin has tracked hundreds of crows near and around Ithaca, New York by banding and wing tagging over two decades. His research has made him a world-renowned expert on crow behavior.

He will also briefly touch on his involvement as co-editor of The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State, published in December 2008 by Cornell University Press. The exhibit created from this book, entitled "Mapping the Birds of New York", is currently on view at the Institute, on loan from the New York State Museum in Albany, through February 28, 2010.

Kevin grew up in Ohio, receiving his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in zoology from Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in biology from the University of South Florida for his work on the social development of young Florida Scrub-Jays. He came to Cornell University in 1988, and is an elected member of the American Ornithologists' Union.

For more information about Kevin McGowan and his research, please visit http://www.birds.cornell.edu/. The Roger Tory Peterson institute is located at 311 Curtis street, Jamestown http://www.rtpi.org/