PPL Wetlands: Getting Ready For The Long Winter Sleep

It was cloudy,  and cooler than it has been this past week,   but  the temperatures  remained in the low 50’s, still a nice day for November in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

I decided to head to the PPL Riverlands and Wetlands one more  time before  before the snow and cold  arrives. It won’t be long now. 

The wetlands are a lot different now. There are no turtles or frogs jumping in the waters as you walk along the canals. There were no insects flying around and the songbirds are gone,  as are most of the water fowl, so it was a lot quieter now than in the Spring or Summer.

I did hear  the shrill cries  of this  red tailed hawk that was flying overhead, and from tree to tree, eluding me,  during my  hike today.  I tried sneaking up on him but could only get a few photos as he flew away as I approached. Here is a link to some of the better photos I was to take. https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/birds-of-pennsylvania/nggallery/birds-of-pennsylvania/red-tailed-hawk-november-7-2015

I also saw a blue heron and heard the sounds of  a few black capped chickadees and swamp sparrows. I was able to get a few photographs of this sparrow.

The trees have lost almost all of their leaves now and most are completely bare. But some trees , mainly oak and beech, , have some colorful leaves clinging to their branches but even this color will soon be gone.

There were a lot of  fruit and berries remaining on some of the shrubs  and trees, soon to help the birds and other wildlife survive the fast approaching winter. Some are pretty and can be eaten by humans .

While others, like  these berries, from a poison ivy vine, are best left for the bird and wild animals.

It wasn’t as interesting and alive  as my hikes in the Spring and Summer but still a nice day to be outdoors enjoying the beauty of nature. Here is a link  to some more photographs from my hike today. https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/photographs-page-2/nggallery/photographs-page-two-blog/ppl-wetlands-and-riverlands-november-7-2015

“In November, some birds move away and some birds stay. The air is full of good-byes and well-wishes. The birds who are leaving look very serious. No silly spring chirping now. They have long journeys and must watch where they are going. The staying birds are serious, too, for cold times lie ahead. Hard times. All berries will be treasures.”
― Cynthia Rylant, In November