It was Sunday, So Where Else? A Late August Hike Back In The Susquehanna Wetlands.
After visiting Lake Otsego in New York last weekend, the source of the Susquehanna River, and hiking to a mountain top in Northumberland County above the Susquehanna River on Saturday I was back in the wetlands along the river in Luzerne County on Sunday. I was hiking, and enjoying nature, in the private nature I have come to love these past 10 years. 
I arrived at the Susquehanna Wetlands around 7;30 a.m. and stopped, as usual, at the Water Fowl before the entrance. This week I was able to sneak up on a small flock of wood ducks,
for a little while anyway, until they noticed me and quickly flew away.
I also saw an eastern wood pee wee perched on a branch near the pond. 
I left the pond and drove to the parking lot and picnic area,
and then took my usual walk down to the banks of the Susquehanna River . I always reflect on the age of the river. It flowed before dinosaurs walked the earth. I also reflect people who have traveled on and along the river over the ages, the Native Americans, the early explorers, the first settlers, and finally the operators of boats and barges that used the river before the railroads and automobiles. I was even more reflective after having seen it beginning at Lake Otsego, New York last weekend. 
After my reflection at the river I walked into the wetlands and on the Beaver Trail which took me along the remains of the old Susquehanna Canal.
At first it was quiet in the wetlands. The red winged blackbirds, the vireos, warblers and many of the other song birds have already begun their journey south. However, as I continued my walk I heard the calls of this northern flicker perched on a dead tree in the wetlands.
I then, as usual walked the Water Fowl pond,
where I saw some more wood ducks on the far side of the pond, and heard a lot of birds singing in the woodland along the pond , including, a warbling vireo,
a house wren,
song sparrows,
American robins,
an eastern phoebe, 
and, a small flock of American goldfinches 
As I was leaving the Water Fowl pond this Cooper’s hawk landed in a tree near the pond,
and quickly, after seeing me, flew away. 
I now headed to the river lands area of the private nature preserve, about a mile from the pond.
Along the way I saw some of the few late Summer wild flowers blooming along the path, including ironweed ,
goldenrod,
arum-leaf arrowhead flowers, and 
great blue lobelia flowers all native wildflowers, and
purple looses5trife am invasive wildflower in the wetlands. 
I walked under the still green canopy of trees, although some leaves were already beginning to change. The annual cicadas started to sing their song, telling me Summer isn’t over yet. 
I saw a few more birds before leaving the wetlands including a few tufted titmice,
and a flock of migrating yellow throated green warblers. They are usually found in deeper woodlands and this was the first time I saw them this Summer. 
As I was leaving the wetlands I saw this large rat snake along the trail.
It was motionless and I think it just shed it’s skin. It’s a beautiful creature.
I also saw another wood duck.
I walked into the river lands and along Lake Took-A-While,
following the trail to the end of the lake. The large flock of Canada geese weren’t on the lake this week,
however I did see a great blue heron flying over the lake,
landing along it’s shore,
and then flying off again. 
There was also an eastern kingbird perched on a tree along the lake. Here is a link to a gallery on my website with some more photos of the birds I saw on my hike in the wetlands and river lands. Susquehanna Wetlands birds August 25 2024. 
I began my hike back to the wetlands noticing a few more wildflowers blooming along the trail, including common evening primrose flowers,
cut leaf coneflowers 
and yellow wood sorrel flowers, are native to Pennsylvania. 
I walked back into the wetlands, enjoying the sounds of the cicadas, 
and see a few painted turtles 
and this large snapping turtle. 
The snapping turtle was floating on the water in a canal and dived beneath the water as I approached. 
I finished my 5 mile hike at the parking lot near the banks of my favorite river having once again enjoyed the beauty of the ancient and mighty Susquehanna. Here is a link to a gallery on my website with some more photos from my hike in the wetlands and river lands. Susquehanna Wetlands birds August 25 2024. 
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters.”
― A River Runs Through It
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