Archive for June 2021
My First Encounter With Brood X At Kings Gap State Park.
I’m sure many of you, living on the East Coast, have been hearing about Brood X and the 17 year appearance of these cicadas this year. Well, this past Sunday I wanted to get away for a couple of days. I also wanted to observe some of these interesting insects, so I headed to Kings…
Read MoreFallingwater: Frank Lloyd Wright Unites Architecture And Nature
I enjoyed my recent brief visit to Pittsburgh a few weeks ago. On my last day, after my early morning hike along the Allegheny River, I checked out of my hotel. It was about a 4 1/2 hour drive back to my home in Northeastern Pennsylvania. However I decided to drive a few mile out…
Read MoreWood Ducklings And Hawk Fights At The Susquehanna Wetlands
Warm June weather returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania on Saturday and what better way to enjoy it then hiking in the Susquehanna Wetlands in Salem Township Luzerne County. I started at the wetlands and first checked out the river hoping to see an eagle or osprey out on a morning fishing flight. No fishing birds on…
Read MoreMountain Laurel And Cicadas At Kings Gap State Park
I was happy to awaken in Carlisle on Monday with the sun shining. We had a few days of rain at my home in Northeastern Pennsylvania and it was raining when I arrived in Carlisle the previous evening. After a quick cup of coffee I was on my way to explore Kings Gap Environmental education…
Read MoreA Long Overdue Return To Big Meadows In The Shenandoah National Park
After my short visit to Kings Gap State Park in Cumberland County on Memorial Day I was on the road again. This time I was driving 3 hours south to the lodge at Big Meadows in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It’s hard to believe I last visited, and camped, here over 38 years…
Read MoreNo Bears Or Snakes, But Some Birds, Bugs And Wildflowers At State Game Lands 119
I have not seen a bear on any of my hikes this year. And for the first time in many years none have visited my back yard here in Hazle Township in Luzerne County. I only saw two all year, near Barnesville, in April. So, on Sunday I decided to hike in State Game Lands…
Read MoreA Peaceful And Pleasant Hike In The Big Meadows Of Shenandoah National Park.
It’s has been 38 years since I had slept in Big Meadows in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The last time it was in the campground with my baby brother Mike after graduating from law school in nearby Washington D.C. This time I awoke in the quint and comfortable Big Meadows Lodge. It was…
Read MoreAfter Torrential Rains, A Chorus Of Brood X Cicadas At Nockamixon State Park
The Brood X cicadas have been making the evening news almost every day now . The Brood X hatch is especially large in the southern states and the Washington D.C. area. And they are not discriminating who they fly into too. News reporters, politicians and even the President have had collisions with these insects. These…
Read MoreMountain Laurel, Sundews And An Oven Bird, A June Hike Close To Home.
Last Sunday I had to get my usual seven mile hike in early. I was looking forward to attending the Baptism of my great nephew baby Charlie at 10:30 a.m.. So I decided to stay close to home and hike on the Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails. It was overcast and cool with a light…
Read MoreSnakes, Toads And A New Bridge At Community Park.
It’s hard to believe that Summer is here . The warm months seem to pass so quickly. The magical season of Spring is over. I have been outdoors every weekday afternoon this past month . I take a three mile hike with my camera searching for the wonders of nature close to my home. Many of…
Read MoreThe End Of Spring At The Susquehanna Wetlands
It was the end of Spring Saturday. It seems like just yesterday the first skunk cabbages were pushing through the snow and mud. And the first robins and red – winged black birds were appearing in the Susquehanna wetlands. But it’s Summer now and I spent the last day of Spring , where else, but…
Read MoreAnother Hike State Game Lands 119, And Still No Bears.
It is nearing the end of June and I still haven’t seen any bears in my backyard, in Hazle Township Luzerne County. It is the first time almost twenty years I haven’t had one or more visit my bird feeders. And, so far, I haven’t seen any bears my many hikes here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.…
Read MoreDragonflies, Spiders And Splendid June Weather At Community Park.
A cold front passed through our area here in Hazle Township, Luzerne County last week on Tuesday evening. It brought some much needed rain, and a couple of days of splendid June weather. I awoke to clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid 40’s Wednesday morning. It was cool but refreshing. It was perfect…
Read MoreThe Heat And Humidity Return To The Susquehanna Wetlands
After a few days of cool, refreshing weather, a warm front brought clouds, and heat and humidity, to my home in Northeastern Pennsylvania. As I often do, I decided to take my usual five mile hike in the Susquehanna Wetlands in Salem Township, Luzerne County. I wanted to see how the many critters that live…
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