PPL Wetlands, A Great Place To Enjoy The Spring. A Lot Of Cool Stuff Today.

The cold mornings we’re experiencing here in Northeast Pennsylvania aren’t stopping the coming of Spring. I decided to hike in one of my favorite spots, the PPL Wetlands,  this morning. I haven’t been there in two weeks and a lot can happen in two weeks this time of year. And I wasn’t disappointed.

Although the tress aren’t in full leaf yet, some of the maples and willows are budding,  it won’t be long until I am walking under the shade of the many ancient trees that are growing along the Susquehanna River.  Lot of new growth among the many plants and wild flowers that inhabit the wetlands. The skunk cabbages are in full leaf now, and the mandrakes or may apples  are sprouting up throughout the wetlands Love this unique plants. And another one of my Spring favorites, the trout lilies were in full bloom. These  delicate yellow flowers plentiful down here. many other Spring flowers that I  couldn’t identify  were  also blooming. They still looked pretty.   And the high bush blueberries, blackberries and elderberries were also setting their first leaves.  spring sure is a busy season in the plant world. 

And there was also a lot of wildlife activity. As I was walking in spotted a bald eagle taking off, too quickly for me to get a photo but i made up for that late. It is always an awe inspiring moment to see our majestic national symbol. The turtles and frogs began crawling out of the cold water to bask in the warm April sun as the morning got on.  Saw a female  duck I couldn’t identify, robins, yellow rumped warblers, a white throated sparrow, crows, and a lot of other birds I again. couldn’t identify but they still looked and sang beautifully. 

Yes the Wetlands are coming alive after the long cold Winter and I am looking for many more adventure there over the next seven months. So headed home and a couple who were also taking photographs told me the location of a bald eagles nest. What a wonderful thing to share. I found the nest and an eagle sitting atop it! What a wonderful way to end my hike. I didn’t have a lot of time to observe the nest but you know I  will return. Here is a link to some of the wonderful  “stuff” I observed, big and small on my hike today.  https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/photographs-5/nggallery/blog-photos/ppl-wetlands-april-26-2015  Hope you enjoy them. 

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley,