The Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area is a 5,100 acre upland tract, situated approximately eight miles west of Dansville, New York. Roughly two-thirds of the area lies in southern Livingston County, while the remaining third lies in northern Allegany County. The tract was purchased in the 1930’s under the Federal Resettlement Administration and is one of several such areas turned over to DEC for development as a wildlife management area.
The area is appropriately named after the Timber Rattlesnake, which may be occasionally found in the more remote sections of the “Hill”.
The area offers an interesting blend of upland habitats such as mature woodland, overgrown fields, conifer plantations, old growth apple orchards and open meadows.
The area is inhabited by a variety of game species and is open to public hunting. The white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, grey squirrel, cottontail rabbit and woodcock are found on the area. An occasional snowshoe hare may be observed adjacent to thick creek bottom brush or conifer plantation habitats.
A number of small marsh units have been developed and provide limited hunting for waterfowl. Some of the area’s furbearing species such as mink, beaver and raccoon may be occasionally viewed at these marsh units.
Technically it’s a day too early to be listening to that song about Billy Jo McAllister but on the other side it feels such an appropriate song. Seems like so many so many conversations. I’m just looking forward to being able to wear daisies in my hair. 🌼
Good morning! Yeah, it’s Friday! Sunny and 64 degrees at the for the morning walk in Delmar. 🌞 There is a north-northwest breeze at 5 mph. 🍃. The dew point is 57 degrees. 🐮 The air tastes like grain and hay.
Last night wasn’t that warm 😰 though after getting my steps 👣 in and doing some leg and arm crunches I was feeling sweaty. 💪
I think I’m going to do eggs 🥚, spinach and beans for breakfast 🍳 this morning. I have that lunch today at work but first I want to make sure I have a stomach full of fiber so I limit how much of that inevitably high calorie restaurant food. Also trying to get in as many steps 👣 as possible in the morning in case this evening is very wet. I’m somewhat disappointed that I won’t be getting out of town this weekend.
Today will have scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny 🌞, with a high of 88 degrees at 1pm. 12 degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 60 at 9am. North wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. A year ago, we had partly cloudy skies in the morning with some clearing in the afternoon. It was somewhat humid. The high last year was 78 degrees. The record high of 94 was set in 1895.
Going to be another ol hot summer day, 🏖 this day with a bit more humidity but still hardly oppressive. Right it’s super nice. Too bad it’s going to turn to rain and much cooler come this evening 🌃 into the weekend. I guess enjoy it while you still can thought it will be back for the work week from hell but then they’ll be gone for the summer. 👿 My thoughts are totally on the Potholers which I’ll be at in two weeks, God willing for the Juneteenth Weekend, which is my favorite holiday of the year.
I was hoping to walk down to the Park and Ride 🚏but breakfast took longer than expected 🗡 with all the chopping and then it seemed like the eggs weren’t cooked enough 🍳 so I had to put them back in broiler a bit longer. I did double check ☑ to make sure the oven is off before heading out. Ultimately I walked halfway to the Park and Ride and I’m thinking I’ll be closing in on 4 miles before I start work at nine. Worse comes to worse I’ll wear a rain coat for the evening walk 🚶.
Tonight will have showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. 🌧️ North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
It looks like National Gird is busy upgrading the lines by the High School 🚸 to add new power poles and electricity capacity to support more electric buses in the coming years. They cut the trees before Indiana bat 🦇 season and it looks like they have it marked out for the poles to be installed in the coming days. Electric buses are the future as are electric cars. It’s happening, finally now.
Then for Saturday, scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 70. 🌥 👉 ☀ North wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
I decided on Saturday I am going to browse used bicycles 🚲 to see what is available at a few local stores. I would kind of prefer a more road bike for commuting and longer distance travel then my hybrid bicycle. But I’m thinking I will continue my effort to restore my old bicycle maybe reaching out to Albany Bicycle Rescue for some help on the wheel. If I’m planning on doing a lot of bicycle commuting it might be best to have a back up after things break down as the inevitably will. 🛠
Then heading over to Colonie to visit John Wolcott and if the weather is decent take him out to the Crossings. 🏞 Then in the evening I plan to head over to the Albany Pine Bush 🦋 and stop at Market 32 in Guilderland for groceries. 🛒 Sunday go out and see the folks. 👪 And then the big final week ahead.
One week from now session should be wrapping up 🧑🏻💼 and I should be able to put away my poorly fitting dress clothes for a while as I figure out what my future looks like. I’m ready for some nice summer weekends in the Potholers. Sunset on that day is 8:33 pm with dusk at 9:06. I know it well, I’ve been staying up too late. 🌇 77 degrees is the normal high, it got up to 93 degrees back in 2011. Long range says 75 and sunny for next Friday but it’s certain to change.
If you think about it, law enforcement is usually the most expensive and risky way to address community problems.
If government operated more like a private business, much of what law enforcement does would be dedicated to lower paid employees that specialize in the task and have the expertise to do it well – with much less emphasis on enforcement.
For example:
Traffic accidents – better addressed by rookie city traffic engineers who could better analyze the crash and focus on improving road design not on issuing tickets
Accidental fires – better addressed by fire fighters or other city workers like construction flaggers to direct traffic
Medical emergencies – better addressed by EMS services, usually not much of a role for police
Traffic enforcement – automated devices like speed cameras and license plates readers run against databases and mailed citations are not biased based on race or social class (like driving an old beat up car)
Directing traffic at emergency sites – best addressed by rookie city construction flaggers
Parking management at special events – best managed by maintenance and other laborers at the venue putting on the event
Homelessness – best addressed by social services agencies
Vagerency – best addressed by social service agencies and mental health professionals
Mental illness – best addressed by mental health professionals that work out in the field
To be sure, law enforcement should be given assistance in transitioning out of the public sector to private occupations. Cities could work with private employers to make the transition as easy as possible. They could allow the police officer to continue to remain in the pension system and receive public health care – the private sector employer would cut a check to the government. Pistol permits could also be transfered over seamlessly.
These heroes could be treated with respect and gratitude while in transitioning them to private sector work while the government finds more efficient methods of delivering essential services then relying on the police for so many services.
Yesterday I got to work, sat down and banged out the first Committee Agenda of the day and was like duck I left the beans simmering in a pot at home three hours ago. I started to head home, realizing that I had just missed the bus and the next one would be in twenty five minutes. I called my mom, she swung by and turned them off and even drained them. Nice! Fortunately the beans were fine, they didn’t burn as there was plenty of water in the pot. The red beans were a bit soft like re-fried beans but still good. Mom saved the day!
Good morning! So yes, that was my end of May. It could have bad like the apartment complex down the road that was burning as I drove home from the Assembly picnic on Tuesday evening. Sunny and 55 degrees in Delmar, NY. 🌞 Calm wind. The dew point is 50 degrees.
Listening to more of Paul Simon 1972 album. 🎧 You can say we are entering a time much like the early 1970s, a time when everything will get a bit worse in the world 🌎 but you can improve your own life, focusing on making more money and being healthy while everything else in the world goes to shit. Did you see the news businesses are fleeing the cities for the suburbs again, much like the seventies? 📰 My face certainly looks more and more like Paul Simon on that album cover though I’m not wearing a heavy coat like that today in the heat. And the air conditioning is off on the bus and it’s mad hot. 😰 And I’m tired but it’s a good record.
If the plans would change You can beat us with wires You can beat us with chains You can run out your rules But you know you can’t outrun the history train I’ve seen a glorious day
Pride month, dairy month, unofficial start to summer. 🌻 Yes it’s June and I’m ready for session to be over. Like the start of the month with many so commemorations I feel like my days are full of multi-color hot air balloons 🎈 of different things to consider. I needed to change my withholding tax so I took more out of paychecks to cover my taxes. 💵 Figure out all this doctor stuff. Used and new bicycle 🚲 should I repair or replace my bicycle. And then figuring out how to eat healthy 🍅🫑 in a time of receptions and summer picnics. 🧺 Being a political director and a deputy director of a legislative division is difficult on a diet. I have a lunch to go tomorrow and I have to figure out how to deal with the menu there. 🧑🍳
Truth be told, I always need something to obsess over 😟 and maybe my diet is on the grand scheme of things not the worse thing. It’s one of the easiest and most affordable things I can address, 🥦🍎 as you buy food every week and healthier options while slightly more expensive aren’t like fixing every noise on the truck or buying a homestead or getting to my retirement goals. 🥅 And it’s not like burn barrels and burning shit 🔥, much more legal, less stinky and toxic. And I like how much thinner I’ve gotten.
Today will be sunny but no so hot sun ☀, with a high of 91 degrees at 4pm. 15 degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 57 at 11am. With such a relatively low dew point it won’t feel particularly warm. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon. A year ago, we had rain in the morning, which became light rain by afternoon. It was somewhat humid. The high last year was 69 degrees. The record high of 94 was set in 1918.
The express bus 🚍 was running super early and while I was out there on time, the driver was long gone according to the map. So I’m taking the local in. I double checked to make sure the stove was off, I am leaving my lunch in the kitchen now to make sure I check before heading out. 🍳 Did some vlogging will post shortly. The local driver is so bad, he keeps slamming on the brakes and has the air conditioning off. I’m sure it works on the bus but the driver is just a jerk. 🚏
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:54 pm with sun having an altitude of 69.4° from the due south horizon (-1.4° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 2.3 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 7:45 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (295°). 📸 The sunset is in the west-northwest (302°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 8:27 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 23 seconds with dusk around 9:00 pm, which is 48 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the Full 🌝 Moon in the south-southeast (149°) at an altitude of 24° from the horizon, 238,402 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 9:45 pm. At sunset, look for clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 83 degrees. The dew point will be 58 degrees. There will be a west-northwest breeze at 5 mph. Today will have 15 hours and 9 minutes of daytime, an increase of one minute and 18 seconds over yesterday.
It’s a get away day for the legislature , 🏎 and a nice one to boot so I expect I’ll get out at five o’clock. That will leave plenty of time to get down to the park 🏞 after work and get in around 10 miles for the day and maybe spend some time on the exercise equipment 💪 I’ve been doing some leg and arm crunches in the evening to add to the routine. I’ll probably regret taking out that salmon for dinner with the heat but maybe I can fry 🍳 it rather than using the oven.
Tonight will be mostly clear 🌃, with a low of 61 degrees at 4am. Seven degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical night around June 27th. Maximum dew point of 58 at 8pm. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. In 2022, we had light rain in the evening, which became partly cloudy by the early hours of the morning. It was somewhat humid. It got down to 63 degrees. The record low of 39 occurred back in 1971.
I continue to get to bed too late 🛌 with the late sunsets 🌆 and my early rising often before six AM. This morning was no exception, I was up bright and early because I needed to run to the bathroom 🚽 after all those delicious beans, and because the sun was streaming into my room bright and early.
Ah, four in the morning I woke up from out of my dream Nowhere to go but back to sleep but I’m reconciled Ahoh, ahoh, ahoh I’m gonna be up for a while
The rain andclouds come for the weekend. 🌧️ Dang! Saturday, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Maximum dew point of 59 at 6am. Sunday, a chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Maximum dew point of 46 at 8am. Typical average high for the weekend is 76 degrees.
Yes, it’s time to rethink my weekend plans. 🏡 I don’t think I’ll head out of town this weekend even just up to Rennselearville State Forest as I had previously thought. Maybe take the Nature Bus to Thacher Park? 🚍 Or do I look at bicycles? 🚲 Go up an visit John Wolcott in Colonie? 🏞 I’m not anticipating a lot of work this weekend but projects could come in.
Looking ahead, next Thursday is 8:30 PM Sunset 🌇 with dusk at 9:05 pm. On that day in 2022, we had partly cloudy, rain showers and temperatures between 77 and 61 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 77 degrees. Right on target. 🎯 We hit a record high of 93 back in 2011.
Heading up to the mid 90s by mid-week to kick off dairy month then cooling down by the weekend after thunderstorms on Friday. But in the mean time beautiful weather for the work week and that freshly cut hay smells amazing.
Good morning! Happy Tuesday. Sunny and 56 degrees in Delmar, NY. 🌞 There is a south-southeast breeze at 5 mph. 🍃.
Out walking 🚶 bright an early right around 6 o’clock 6⃣ but truth he told with the sunrise this early these days it ain’t that early. I have my doctors appointment at 8:30 and I plan to walk there after breakfast and a shower 🧑⚕️🩺 so I wanted to make sure I had sufficient time this morning. Health-wise I feel great but I figured getting checked out isn’t a bad thing especially as it’s free and I’m doing a lot more exercise and healthy activity.
Today will be sunny 🌞, with a high of 79 degrees at 3pm. Four degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical day around June 12th. South wind 5 to 7 mph. A year ago, we had cloudy skies. It was somewhat humid. The high last year was 88 degrees. The record high of 92 was set in 1987.
I’m thinking today would be a good morning for eggs, spinach and feta 🍳 to start out the day with a good punch. I also found some younger garlic mustard in the woods I foraged that I want to add to the meal 🍴. With summer and eating healthy I’m going to try to forage more food. It’s surprising how much is out there if you look. 👀 Wild Juneberries soon are a delicious treat. 🍓 Soon!
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:54 pm with sun having an altitude of 69.1° from the due south horizon (-1.7° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 2.3 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 7:43 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (294°). 📸
The sunset is in the west-northwest (301°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 8:25 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 23 seconds with dusk around 8:58 pm, which is 50 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the Waxing Gibbous 🌔 Moon in the south (170°) at an altitude of 41° from the horizon, 244,204 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 9:43 pm. At sunset, look for clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 73 degrees. There will be a south breeze at 6 mph. Today will have 15 hours and 6 minutes of daytime, an increase of one minute and 24 seconds over yesterday.
Tonight will have patchy smoke between 11pm and 1am. Mostly clear 🌃, with a low of 49 degrees at 6am. Four degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical night around May 19th. South wind 6 to 9 mph. In 2022, we had mostly clear skies. It was humid. It got down to 65 degrees. The record low of 34 occurred back in 1961.
A picture perfect weekend on tap. 😎 Not super warm but still very summer like. Saturday, a chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Maximum dew point of 59 at 7am. Sunday, mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Maximum dew point of 51 at 8pm. Typical average high for the weekend is 76 degrees.
I’m heading out of town this weekend 🏕 but how far I go is yet to be decided. Hammock Camping offers more options close to home. I’ve thought about paddling Lilly Lake in the Adirondacks or maybe Rensslearville State Forest and spending at least one night hammock camping at the new Hillcross Parcel to watch the stars over the Catskills from the pond.
As previously noted, there are 3 weeks until Primary Day 🗳️ when the sun will be setting at 8:38 pm with dusk at 9:11 pm. On that day in 2022, we had mostly sunny and temperatures between 82 and 47 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 81 degrees. We hit a record high of 97 back in 1953.
I guess it’s official that the unofficial start of summer has begun. That said, my summer really doesn’t kick off until legislative sessionis done though I expect next weekend not to be super busy so I will be able to get out of town. I’m just looking forward to a long quiet weekend totally off-grid with no work concerns to think about or address.
Good morning! Talk about a beautiful Memorial Day. Sunny and 68 degrees at the Cole Hill State Forest. 🌞 There is a east breeze at 7 mph. 🍃. The dew point is 47 degrees.
I have to say it’s been nice hammock camping up at Cole Hill State Forest. ⛺ Only sixteen miles, two traffic lights and speed zones, 22 minutes to home. Sure beats fighting traffic on NY 30 to get home and unpacked. Very few black flies, a nice breeze and good meals 🍴 cooked over the campfire. 🔥 I liked the simplicity of it all and the taste of the meals. Since I’ve gotten into healthy eating, the quality of food has improved enormously and I don’t mind the lack of hang overs at all.
Memorial Day will be sunny 🌞, with a high of 78 degrees at 3pm. Three degrees above normal, which is similar to a typical day around June 9th. Maximum dew point of 48 at 11am. East wind around 7 mph. A year ago, we had partly cloudy skies in the morning with some clearing in the afternoon. The high last year was 80 degrees. The record high of 93 was set in 1931.
Not rushing to take down camp 🎒 that said I don’t have that much gear to take down. I do want to have time to go for a stroll around the forest before heading home, unpacking and showering 🚿 before seeing my folks for Memorial Day. In the evening I might do a quick hike up Bennett Hill before heading home for the night. 🌃 Then three session days this week, with only one likely late night on Wednesday and obviously the work picnic at six tomorrow. 🧺 I also have my doctors appointment for my yearly physical in the morning at 8:30 on the morning, I plan to leave by 7:45 am so excited can walk 🚶 there.
Solar noon 🌞 is at 12:55 pm with sun having an altitude of 68.8° from the due south horizon (-1.8° vs. 6/21). A six foot person will cast a 2.3 foot shadow today compared to 2.2 feet on the first day of summer. The golden hour 🏅 starts at 7:44 pm with the sun in the west-northwest (294°). 📸
I stayed up until after 11 pm last night 🌃 but it was such a nice evening last night and I figured I could sleep in. Chicken, rice, onions, lentils, tomatoes in a wrap was dinner last night cooked over the fire. 🔥 As you might have guessed, it was amazing. Lots of moonlight followed by stars ✨. Hiked 10 miles yesterday along the Long Path and truck trails, along with trips back and forth carrying food and supplies back and forth to the truck. 🛻
The sunset is in the west-northwest (301°) with the sun dropping below the horizon at 8:26 pm after setting for 3 minutes and 22 seconds with dusk around 8:59 pm, which is 52 seconds later than yesterday. 🌇 At dusk you’ll see the Waxing Gibbous 🌔 Moon in the south (183°) at an altitude of 47° from the horizon, 246,793 miles away. 🚀 The best time to look at the stars is after 9:43 pm. At sunset, look for clear skies 🌄 and temperatures around 70 degrees. The dew point will be 49 degrees. There will be a southeast breeze at 9 mph. Today will have 15 hours and 6 minutes of daytime, an increase of one minute and 29 seconds over yesterday.
Tonight will be mostly clear 🌃, with a low of 45 degrees at 5am. Eight degrees below normal, which is similar to a typical night around May 7th. Southeast wind around 10 mph. In 2022, we had mostly clear skies in the evening, which became cloudy by the early hours of the morning. It got down to 55 degrees. The record low of 33 occurred back in 1967.
The beautifulweather keeps rolling into the weekend. ☀ Saturday, mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Maximum dew point of 54 at 6am. Sunday, sunny, with a high near 78. Maximum dew point of 51 at 8pm. Typical average high for the weekend is 76 degrees. Fantastic. Not sure if it warrants a trip to the Adirondacks but I definitely want to be camping 🏕 and hiking somewhere fun and nice. Water temperature is still real cold. Truck cap camping again I’m planning on. It’s certainly more convenient that way.
Looking ahead, next Monday is 8:30 PM Sunset ️⛱️ with dusk at 9:05 pm. Nice! On that day in 2022, we had mostly sunny and temperatures between 77 and 47 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 77 degrees. We hit a record high of 97 back in 1925. Before my time.
