Archive for May 2019
Trinidad And Tobago Day One: A Day Of Airport Hopping And A Night Drive Into The Rainforest
It didn’t take me long to set off on another adventure.I started this blog post at an airport. I had just visited New Zealand for three weeks in February. It was an awesome trip. You can follow my daily adventures in my blog archives. I am not young anymore. I realize there are far more…
Read MoreTrinidad And Tobago Day Two: Exploring The Asa Wright Nature Center And Lodge.
A chorus of exotic birds woke me up before sunrise my first morning at the Asa Wright Nature Center And Lodge. I slept well in the modest but comfortable room. There was no air conditioning. But there was an overhead fan. I was surprised how effective it was at cooling the warm tropical air. I…
Read MoreMay Arrives, And So Do The Song Birds, At The PPL Wetlands
It has been two weeks since I visited the PPL Wetlands and Riverlands in Salem Township in Luzerne County. And what a difference those two weeks made.Although it was overcast when I arrived early Saturday morning, the woods were green and alive with the sound of birds, frogs and insects. In my opinion, there is…
Read MoreTrinidad Day Two: A Visit to Caroni Swamp Home Of The Famous Scarlet Ibis.
After my first lunch at the Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge, I joined three other guests on a tour to the Caroni Swamp. The Caroni Swamp is a large wetland and mangrove forest located on the west side of the island, just south of the capital city of Port of Spain. It is noted…
Read MoreTrinidad Day Three: Watching Birds And Exploring The Trails At The Asa Wright Nature Center And Lodge.
The birds once again woke me up before dawn on my second morning at the Asa Wright lodge. I walked from my cottage to the main building in the warm, moist tropical air. Coffee is served at 6 a.m. . I drank a cup on the veranda and took a few photographs of the early…
Read MoreBirds And Other Critters In My Backyard In Northeastern Pennsylvania.
I was fortunate to have traveled to New Zealand and Trinidad and Tobago these past few weeks. I saw many exotic and beautiful birds and other animals on my trips. However, you don’t have to travel to a rain forest or the other side of the planet to see the beauty of nature. It can…
Read MoreTrinidad Day Four: A Visit to Interesting and Reclusive Oilbird Cave At The Asa Wright Nature Center.
Although I got in late after the night walk, I was still up before the sun on Saturday morning. Well, I wouldn’t see the sun anyway, it was cloudy when I left my cottage, and a cooler 74 degrees. I once again stopped in for a cup of coffee and then walked along the driveway…
Read MoreTrinidad And Tobago Day Four: Birds, Ants, Flowers And Other Cool Stuff At Asa Wright Lodge
At lunch we discussed our visit to the oilbird cave earlier Saturday morning at the Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge. After lunch I spent some time observing, and trying to photograph, the many birds that visit the nearby feeders and fruit trees. It is a truly relaxing and exhilarating experience if you enjoy nature.…
Read MoreTrinidad And Tobago Day Five. Another Day Exploring The Trails Of Asa Wright Lodge
The songs of birds were once again my alarm clock on Sunday at the Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge in Trinidad. The birds become active about half hour before the sunrise. And when they wake up they let the rest of the world know it. Located only 11 degrees of latitude north of the…
Read MoreTrinidad And Tobago Day Six: Farewell To The Asa Wright Nature Center And Lodge
I awoke from another refreshing sleep on my last day at the Asa Wright lodge. The cottages are rustic and modestly furnished. There is no air conditioning. However, the overhead fan provides a nice breeze that made it pleasantly comfortable for sleeping. I really liked my little cottage. The birds again had me up before…
Read MoreTrinidad And Tobago Day Six: A Scenic Drive To The Beautiful And Sleepy Coastal Village of Grand Riviere
I had arranged for a ride for my stay at the Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel in Grand Riviere on the remote northeast coast of Trinidad. My driver arrived around 2 p.m. I soon learned that I was to have the honor to be driven to the hotel by its owner Piero Guerrini. He is also famous…
Read MoreThere Is No Place Like Northeastern Pennsylvania In May : A Spring Walk In The PPL Wetlands
Rain and clouds were in the forecast again last Saturday. However, when I awoke the skies were clearing. It looked like it was going to be a nice day. . It is beautiful everywhere in the month of May in the woodlands of Northeastern Pennsylvania. So I had many options where t i could hike.…
Read MoreTrinidad And Tobago Day Six: An Evening Walk In The Coastal Village Of Grande Riviere
It was late afternoon when I arrived in the quiet and scenic village of Grande Riviere. My driver, and owner of the hotel Piero showed me to my rustic and comfortable room . The Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel is located on the beach and my room had a balcony overlooking the ocean. I love hearing…
Read MoreAnother Glorious Spring Day In Northeastern PA: A Hike In The PPL Wetlands
We finally got some sunshine on a Saturday here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Once again I decided to drive to the PPL Wetlands in Salem Township. I think it is like the Everglades of Northeastern Pennsylvania. I love the Everglades in Florida. It is so alive. You will always see some sort of critter, from alligators…
Read MoreBirds And Bears In The Gamelands Of Dennison Township
Cloudy skies greeted me when I woke up Sunday morning at my home in Northeastern Pennsylvania . I took my usual morning walk in my neighborhood. in Hazle Township. I enjoyed he mild summer-like temperatures, the Spring flowers and the singing of the birds. After my walk, and a cup of coffee I decided to…
Read MoreTrinidad And Tobago Day: Leatherback Turtles Laying Their Eggs; A 100 Million Year Old Ritual
Leatherback turtles are the largest species of turtle on our planet. They can weigh up to 2000 pounds and grow to over seven feet in length. The male turtles never return to land once they enter the ocean as a hatchling. They spend their entire lives, some living over 100 years, roaming the oceans. .…
Read MoreAnother Hike In Bear Country. Spectacular Views, Ticks And, Of Course, Bears.
I decided to return to the State Gamelands in Dennison Township, Luzerne County Saturday morning. I wanted to explore a new area of these gamelands. I hoped to see some wildlife including another bear or two. The previous Sunday I parked at the entrance near Penn Lake. This time I parked on Tunnel Road and…
Read MoreBack To The Gamelands, No Bears But Some Pretty Birds And Beautiful Scenery
I am really enjoying my hikes in State Gamelands 119 and the surrounding Pinchot State Forest. Located in Dennison Township, Luzerne County they are only about a half hour ride from my home. They gave me the opportunity to encounter the magnificent black bears that live there.I returned on Sunday morning. This time I drove…
Read MoreTrinidad And Tobago Day Seven: Tropical Rainforests And Beaches A Morning Exploring The Remote Village Of Grande Riviere
If you want to escape the 21st century and go back in time Grande Riviere is the place for you. Located on the remote northeastern shore of the island of Trinidad it has escaped the traffic, fast food and hectic pace of our modern times. After a remarkable morning of watching the leatherback turtles on…
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