+5 Gainful Employment, but Finger Lakes for Now

For those of you unaware, I've been signed on for a 6-month internship with the International Crane Foundation! I'm extremely excited to begin a new adventure on April 18. That's not the end of this blog, though.

In an effort to find something to keep my mind engaged during my layover in the Finger Lakes (where I'm staying with my sister and the two canine delights of her life, Coco and Bella), I will continue to update this here blog, weaving my tales and illustrating the wonders that this area has to offer. At least, the ones I take pictures of.

So for those of you who know little about the world of western New York...it exists. No, but really, it's an entirely different place from the area where I grew up, and most people tend not to give much thought to the state east of the Hudson River unless it's Niagara Falls. The pace of life in cities seems far less frantic, but that comes with its own brand of annoyances. During the summer (and even occasionally in the winter), it means tourists coming to take advantage of the many scenic landscapes or the plentiful wineries (there are well over 100). It's a very cool region, home to many, many lakes (I'm sure you're shocked); the Finger Lakes themselves are spread out across the area, and to the north, the mighty Lake Ontario separates New York from Canada. It's also home to magnificent gorges and waterfalls, such as those found at Letchworth State Park ("The Grand Canyon of the East"), as well as glorious wetlands and forests.

Lake Ontario

Taughannock Falls

Ithaca Falls

Chimney Bluffs State Park

Not much beats Letchworth State Park in autumn.

Though Watkins Glen in the summer comes mighty close.

What do I love this area for, of course? You should know the answer by now.

Note: Taken in the summer

Birds. Birds everywhere. Not only is the Finger Lakes region home to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the adjoining Sapsucker Woods, but a wide variety of lake and wetland habitat makes this place a perfect stopover point for migrating birds. Currently, waterfowl are moving north in vast numbers, particularly Snow and Canada Geese. Later in the spring, migrating warblers will take advantage of parks and wildlife reserves at both ends of the region's lakes.

A handsome male Long-Tailed Duck on the shores of Lake Ontario.

That white mass isn't snow, but Snow Geese.

A young Bald Eagle takes advantage one of the few fishing spots at Montezuma NWR.

If careful, you may encounter some other interesting wildlife as well.

Admittedly, much of what there is to do in the Finger Lakes region is based around 2 things; nature and wine. Wine-lovers will definitely want to make a pilgrimage to this area to taste some of the best Rieslings (perhaps the area's #1 wine type) to be had anywhere, in addition to stops for more unique wines. There's a little something for everybody, even the snobbiest of wine snobs, from the well-known and more traditional Atwater Estates, Dr. Konstantin Frank Vineyards, and Sheldrake Point to the eccentric Swedish Hill, the fruity wines and meads of Montezuma Winery/Hidden Marsh Distillery, and the medieval-themed Seneca Shores Winery.

An unmistakable label for the Pompous Ass Winery.

The view at Glenora Wine Cellars is almost as excellent as the wine.

Nobody can confuse Goose Watch Winery with its neighbors, for obvious reasons.

Until next time!