A Short April Hike.

Although the day started out with some warm April showers here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, we got some clearing in the afternoon, and I was able to take a quick hike to the ponds and wetlands near my home.  Every walk or hike outdoors this time of year is an exciting  adventure.  And warm temperatures and the puffy cumulus clouds just added to the enjoyment.

 Most of the trees still have no buds or leaves but the red maples, willows and aspens are just about ready to sprout their first leaves. The warm temperatures predicated for this weekend should help them along.

I had no luck trying  to find the kingfisher I saw the other day. But I did find a set of tracks in the mud, and, to me,  they look like they were made by a raccoon. I am disappointed that there are no ducks or geese on the ponds this year and I believe it was because it took so long for the ice to melt. Going to miss seeing the goslings and ducklings. 

I wasn’t able to see any, they disappear real quick when you get near them, but I heard the many species of frogs peeping, croaking and chirping in the ponds and wetlands. . Click on  this  red highlighted frog songs for a link to a video I uploaded to my Youtube channel.  it was nice to just watch the clouds and listen to their beautiful song. Didn’t have a lot of time to hike  but it was certainly time well spent. I love the Spring. Here is a link to some more photos I took on my hike today. https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/photographs-5/nggallery/blog-photos/doggie-dams-hike-april-17-2015

When scattered clouds are resting on the bosoms of hills, it seems as if one might climb into the heavenly region, earth being so intermixed with sky,and gradually transformed into it. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne