July At The PPl Wetlands: A Muskrat, A Snake And A Lot Of Birds.

It was a hazy and hot day today in Northeastern Pennsylvania. My kind of  July weather.  I got off to a late start for my Sunday hike. I arrived at one of my favorite hiking  trails , the PPl Wetlands and Riverlands in Salem Township, Luzerne County   around 9;45 a.m.  Temperatures were already in the low 80’s. However, it felt a lot cooler under the shade of the many ancient trees found  in the wetlands. 

I noticed, as I began my walk, that the fresh light greens of spring are gone. The woodlands are still green, the deep dark green of summer.  But, some of the earliest plants to appear in Spring, like the skunk cabbage and some ferns, are already starting to turn brown and wither. Summer moves much to quickly. .

Although the many  wildflowers of Spring are  gone. there are still some colorful wildflowers like the native monkeyflower,

and the invasive yellow loosestrife flower. 

The spicebush are now covered in green berries. These berries will turn bright red in the fall. 

I was surprised to find almost no mosquitoes or ticks in the wetlands. I usually  find swarms  of mosquitoes and at least a couple of ticks on my walks along the canals and ponds in July. 

As usual the red-winged blackbirds,

and catbirds made their presence known with their constant singing and chattering as I walked by. . 

I saw a few other birds including, I think, a few different species of flycatchers. I believe this is an eastern pewee. 

This I think is an eastern phoebe.

This one I am very unsure of but am guessing may be a Say’s phoebe. 

As I was walking along the  canals and ponds of the wetlands I saw this critter, a muskrat enjoying the abundance of duckweed now covering the waters. 

I encountered an elderly couple walking  on the trail. I stopped to chat about the wildlife we had seen when I looked down on saw this black snake right beneath our feet. It didn’t like our conversation and scurried off into the underbrush.

I followed the trail which continued through a small patch of  thicker woodlands. There are a few ponds here and they are filled with frogs. Most jumped into the water before I could focus on them but I was able to  photograph this one. 

I walked into the Riverlands and  scenic Lake Took-A-While. It was a perfect summer scene. Some folks enjoyed walking the trail, others tried their luck at catching a fish and many enjoyed the picnic facilities for a cookout. 

Along the lake I again observed a multitude of colorful dragonflies  darting about or perching on a leaf,

twig 

or plant stem. 

I once again  walked  past the riverlands and following the Susquehanna Warrior Trail. Here I saw a family of  red bellied woodpeckers looking for insect on  a tree trunk. 

The juveniles watched their parent show them how to find their own meals. 

I walked out another mile, past the small pond and grove. As I often do I wondered about the parties and outings that were held here over the years. Judging from an old dock, this grove was here a very long time.

Temperatures now were in the low 90’s. I had walked out about 3 1/2 miles so it was time to turn around and walk back. I had less energy on the return walk. And the wildlife was also less active in the heat of the July afternoon. I still saw a few birds, including this cardinal. 

and sparrow, and

a rabbit on my hike back in the heat. 

I also saw a few more wildflowers including this bee balm, and 

some milkweed plants that have already produced pods. 

I also found some blackberries which are almost ripe, a sure sign that Summer is moving on. It is my favorite season.  I  hope to spend as much time as I can exploring the woodlands of Northeastern Pennsylvania during this special tine of year, and sharing it with my friends here on my website, Here is a link to some more photographs from my hike, PPL Wetlands July 14 2019. 

I drifted into a summer-nap under the hot shade of July, serenaded by a cicadae lullaby, to drowsy-warm dreams of distant thunder. ~Terri Guillemets