Archive for February 2023
An Early Drive To Flamingo , A Crocodile And My Last Sunset In South Florida
I was on the road early Tuesday morning on my recent visit to South Florida. It was my last full day in the Everglades and I was driving to Flamingo, the southernmost point in the Everglades National Park. It is about an hour drive from my hotel in Florida City. As usual, I try…
Read MoreA Mild, But Dreary Hike On The Greater Hazleton Rails to Trials.
It was another mild day here in Northeastern Pennsylvania last Sunday. Cloudy and dreary, but mild. Temperatures were near 40 degrees when I decided to hike close to home on our local Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails near my home in Luzerne County. Once again I drove to the east side trail near the village…
Read MoreMy Last Hike on The Anhinga Trail At Royal Palm Visitor Center And My First Visit To Dania Beach
It warmed up a little on my last day in South Florida. I picked a cold week to visit the Keys and Everglades this year. The morning temperatures were in the 40’s for most of my visit. The morning temperature was 56 degrees on my last full day in the Sunshine State, but much warmer…
Read MoreFrigid Arctic Weather Returns To The Susquehanna Wetlands Stranding An Out Of Luck Duck
I may have spoke too soon about our mild Winter in my last blog. Frigid arctic air returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania last Friday. A bitter wind, over 25 mph, plummeted temperatures into the single digits. It was 2 degrees at my home in Hazle Township, Luzerne County on Saturday morning. I decided to see how…
Read MoreMilder Temperatures And Mallard Ducks On The Weissport Canal Trail
After a sudden, but brief, two day frigid arctic cold wave, milder temperatures returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania on Sunday. It was 24 degrees at my home in Hazle Township Luzerne County , 22 degrees warmer than the frigid 2 degrees a day earlier. I decided to drive south to the Weissport Canal in Carbon County.…
Read MoreSkunk Cabbage And A Wood Duck! The First Signs Of Spring At The Susquehanna Wetlands.
It’s not the robin, but the lowly skunk cabbage, that I consider the first sign of Spring here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I know it it blooms early, usually popping up through the snows in late February or early March. However, I was surprised to find one on my hike in the Susquehanna Wetlands on Saturday. …
Read MoreIt’s Been A Long Time, An Overdue Visit To Beltzville State Park.
While on my hike in the Susquehanna Wetlands on Saturday, I met a nature photographer friend who told me about seeing a lot of ducks in Beltzville State Park in Carbon County. I also have heard reports of of bald eagles sightings there too. Although Beltzville State Park is the same distance from my home…
Read MoreThe John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. A Cloudy, Rainy But Interesting Hike In South Philadelphia
I first saw what I now know is the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia in the early 1990’s. It was shortly after the “Blue Route” or Interstate 476 was opened to traffic. We used this route as a “short cut” to travel to Phillies baseball and Eagles football games from my home in…
Read MoreA Quick Five Mile Hike In The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge In Philadelphia
I was up early Saturday morning during my recent overnight stay in Philadelphia . I wanted to hike and continue my exploration of the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge located in South Philadelphia. I also wanted to enjoy the breakfast at the Gables Bed and Breakfast where I was staying. And, to see some…
Read MoreA Close Encounter With A Great Blue Heron At The Susquehanna River Lands.
I enjoy hiking in the Susquehanna Wetlands in Luzerne County because of the abundance of wildlife I often see there. I have seen bald eagles, river otters, cinnamon bears, bobcat’s red foxes and many species of song birds, frogs, insects, snakes and turtles on my hikes here. I always hope to see one of the…
Read MoreExploring The University City Neighborhoods Of Philadelphia.
I had a meeting to attend near Philadelphia last Friday and I decided to stay in the City for the night. I stayed at the Gables Bed and Breakfast, located in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia .I wanted to be near the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge located in South Philadelphia. I enjoyed my…
Read MoreMy First Winter Walk In Leaser Lake in Lehigh County
It was just last year when I first visited Lesser Lake in late March . I enjoyed my hike around the scenic lake situated below the Blue Mountain in Lehigh County. I also was fascinated by the local history and it’s connection to the Liberty Bell. I hiked there again last Summer and Fall. I…
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