photography
A Quick September Hike In The Susquehanna Wetlands, And Then A Successful Search For Mushrooms
It’s September already. How did that happen? It seems like it was just yesterday when I was waiting for the first robin to return. Well it did happen. Summer is nearing it’s end. . It is September. And September is usually the peak mushroom season here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I enjoy foraging for edible wild…
Read MoreLate Summer Walks In Community Park , One With A Great Blue Heron
Late August and September are the peak months of mushroom season here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. So most my afternoons are usually spent foraging for the many species of edible wild mushrooms I love to find, eat and share with family and friends. But, I was still able take a couple of hikes in the Community…
Read MoreA Cloudy But Pleasant September Hike In The Susquehanna Wetlands
It was cloudy here in Northeastern Pennsylvania last Saturday, not the best weather for wildlife photography. A few of my birding friends texted me about the first sighting of flamingos in Pennsylvania. They were seen on a pond in Franklin County , about a 2 1/2 hour drive from my home in Hazle Township in…
Read MoreBeautiful Trails, A Lake And A Lot of History But No Wildlife At Ricketts Glen State Park
It’s been a year since I last visited Ricketts Glen State Park. This was too long. I need to visit this wonderful park more often. It is about 40 miles, and a one hour drive, from my home in Southern Luzerne County. It located atop the edge of the Allegheny Plateau in Luzerne, Colombia and…
Read MoreAs Usual, I Found Some Wildlife At The Susquehanna Wetlands
I returned to the Susquehanna Wetlands in Luzerne County last Sunday. I enjoyed hiking in Ricketts Glenn State Park on Saturday but I was disappointed not seeing a lot of wildlife. I lke sharing the critters I see on my weekly hikes here in my blog and on social media. . So I decide to…
Read MoreThe First Fall Colors Appear At Community Park.
I will admit, I am not a big fan of Fall anymore. I once was. I loved the changing seasons and the cooler days of Fall. I even liked what followed, I loved Winter and snow. Those who know me may find that hard to believe. Now I dread the cold and dark days of…
Read MoreAutumn Arrives At The Susquehanna Wetlands
It was two weeks since I last hiked in the Susquehanna Wetlands in Luzerne County . Autumn arrived here in Northeastern Pennsylvania since my last visit. On Saturday, when I returned, I found the wetlands and river lands have begun their annual transformation from the lush green colors of Spring and Summer to the many …
Read MoreThe First Hint Of Fall Color At the Greater Hazleton Rails To Trails
The first colors of Fall appeared here in Northeastern Pennsylvania this past week. The red maple, gray birch and aspen trees are the first trees to show hints of the annual explosion of color that occurs in our woodlands. The shortening days and cooler temperatures that arrive in the Fall start this slow process. I…
Read MoreA Quiet, Somber October Hike in The Susquehanna Wetlands
Like March in the Spring, October is a transitional month. Temperatures could range from the mid 80’s to the 20’s. The weather could be warm and sunny one day or cloudy with snow flurries the next day. Almost as unpredictable as March, October is. However, unlike March, things don’t get better in October for long…
Read MorePanama Day Two. My First Morning At Canopy Tower. As Advertised, It Is A Nature And Birding Paradise
It was only about a month ago when I first learned of Canopy Tower. Canopy Tower is one of a family of ecolodges located in the biodiverse tropical rain forests of Panama and operated by the Canopy Family. There is more on how I discovered this remarkable place in my previous blog. The Tower is…
Read MoreThe Panama Canal. On My Bucket List For Decades. The Journey Begins
I am writing this blog in one of my favorite places, an airport, this time the Newark International Airport in New Jersey. I am enjoying a view of the cotton-like cumulus clouds floating over the New York City skyline. I am on my way to Panama City where I will stay at the Canopy Tower,…
Read MoreAn Unseasonably Mild October Hike In The Susquehanna Wetlands With A Lot Of Fallen Leaves And Birds
I returned to one of my favorite hiking trails on Saturday. The Susquehanna Wetlands in Salem Township Luzerne County. I try an visit this private nature preserve every week, but it was three weeks since my last visit. I was in Panama. One of the reasons for my trip was too see some of the …
Read MorePanama Day 2: Torrential Rains And A Visit To Summit Botanical Gardens And It’s Famous Harpy Eagle
After our morning hike near the Canopy Tower eco-lodge in Panama we gathered to discuss the birds and other animals we saw on our walk and add them to a very elaborate check list provided by the lodge . It was a very informative experience. We the enjoyed a nice lunch. Soon afterward the skies…
Read MorePanama Day 3: Canopy Tower: Birds On The Roof Top And A Morning Hike On Pipeline Road
Pipeline Road. That is where we would be hiking my second morning during my recent stay at the Canopy Tower eco-lodge in Panama. We were told this is where are next birding adventure would take place after going over our checklist the previous evening. I never heard of Pipeline Road but, doing some research after…
Read MoreThe Birds Sure Liked The Berries At The Susquehanna Wetlands
I wasn’t sure where to hike when I awoke Saturday morning. It was the latest sunrise of the year and still dark when I took my usual two mile morning walk through my neighborhood. I have been taking my morning walk, in all kinds of weather, for over 30 years. It was a beautiful sunrise…
Read MorePanama Day 3: Canopy Tower: A Rainy Afternoon And A Visit To The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center.
It was an amazing morning hike on the Pipeline Road on my third morning in the Soberania National Park in Panama. The Pipeline Road lived up to it’s reputation and provided us with the sightings of many tropical birds. But the day wasn’t over and a visit to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center was planned…
Read MorePanama Day 4: Canopy Tower: A Morning Hike On Plantation Road In Soberania National Park
It was another overcast morning when I awoke at the Canopy Tower in the Soberania National Forest in Panama. It was Thursday , only my third morning at the ecolodge, but I already felt at home. Once again I was up before the sunand soon on the rooftop of the abandoned U.S. military radar facility. …
Read MorePanama Day 4: Canopy Tower: A Sloth, A Snake And A Visit to Summit Ponds
My Thursday morning hike on the Plantation Road further convinced me that my decision to visit the Canopy Tower ecolodge in the Soberania National Park in Panama was an excellent one. Once again our experienced guide introduced us to many more of the wonders of the rainforest. It was only my third day at the…
Read MorePanama Day 5: Canopy Tower: A Visit To The Metropolitan Natural Park And Causeway In Panama City
I was up early again on Friday, my fourth morning during my stay at the Canopy Tower ecolodge in Panama. We were leaving the lodge and driving to Panama City to visit the Metropolitan Natural Park. Our breakfast was served at 6:30 a.m. but all of the guest in the lodge ( 6 of us) …
Read MoreIt’s Sunday, And, As Usual, Another Great Hike In The Susquehanna Wetlands
It was Sunday morning, and, as usual, I had many great hiking trails to chose from near my home in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I thought about the trails in the many State Parks and Forest a short drive from my home. But as I often do, I decided to return to the Susquehanna Wetlands and River…
Read MorePanama Day 5: Canopy Tower. A Vist To The Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary And A Kinkajou And Night Monkeys Visit
It was a great morning visit to Panama City on my last full day at the Canopy Tower. This ecolodge is located in the Soberania National Park in a Panamanian rainforest. But the day wasn’t over. As on all my days during my stay at the Canopy Tower, another adventure was scheduled for the afternoon.…
Read MoreA Hike Along The Scenic And Historic Schuylkill River In Valley Forge
A doctor visit for a sore shoulder and a chance to visit my niece took me to King Of Prussia in Montgomery County on Tuesday afternoon. I was staying at the Springhill Suites By Marriot. It was my first stay in this town in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I only knew it had a large…
Read MoreMy First Visit To The John James Audubon Center. It Won’t Be My Last
During my recent stay in King of Prussia I was planning to hike in the Valley Forge National Park. However, in researching hiking trails near the hotel I learned of the John James Audubon Center. It was located only a few miles from my hotel. Of course, I had heard about this famous illustrator of…
Read MorePanama Day 6: My Last Hike At The Canopy Tower And Off To Explore Panama City
It was my last morning at the Canopy Tower ecolodge in the Soberania National Park in Panama. As on the previous mornings during my stay , I was up early, 6 am., hoping to watch the sunrise from the roof of the tower. Once again it was cloudy. But the views of the misty hills…
Read MorePanama Day 7. Panama City: A Morning Hike in Metropolitan Natural Park
I awoke early Sunday morning on my recent visit to Panama . I was staying at the Marriot Panama Hotel near the Albrook Mall. I chose this hotel since in was within walking distance of the Metropolitan Natural Park. This almost 600 acre park has the largest rainforest in a city in Central America. . …
Read MoreLate November At Community Park In Luzerne County
I returned to another one of my “go to” hikes on Friday, the Community Park located only a mile or so from my home in Hazle Township Luzerne County. It was “Black Friday” so I wanted to get my hiking in early so I could head to the Malls and do my Christmas shopping, Just…
Read MoreThere Were Still A Few Critters In Cold And Quiet November Susquehanna Wetlands
November passed so quickly this year, for me anyway. It was hard to believe it was the last weekend of November. December, and it’s usual cold and snow begin on Friday. But it wasn’t a bad November, weather wise. We had no snow and there still wasn’t much ice on the ponds and canals in…
Read MoreA Leafless, Lifeless, Quiet But Pleasant November Walk On The Greater Hazleton Rails To Trails.
I returned to another one of my favorite hiking trails, close to home, last Sunday, the Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails located in Hazle Township in L:uzerne County. I began my hike on the eastern trailhead, near the village of Hazle Brook in Foster Township. I always hope to encounter one of the bears that…
Read MorePanama Day 7. Checked Off Another Bucket List Item On A Visit To The Panama Canal
Followers of my blog would know my desire to travel the world started in elementary school. As impossible as it seemed at the time ( my family was very poor), I wanted to see the Great Wall of China, Ayers Rock, the Pyramids, the Acropolis , the Panama Canal, and so many others exotic and…
Read MoreA Mink On Ice At The Susquehanna Wetlands
Once again the Susquehanna Wetlands surprised me with an unexpected, but wonderful wildlife sighting this past weekend. This time it was an American mink frolicking on the newly formed ice on one of the canals in the wetlands. The sun was rising in partly skies when I left my home in Hazle Township. However ,…
Read More