Signs Of The Approaching Summer On A Walk In The Susquehanna Wetlands

It was over two weeks since I last visited the Susquehanna Wetlands in Salem Township, Luzerne County. And two weeks is a long time in late Spring. The Susquehanna Wetlands and Riverlands are my favorite places to hike and explore nature. In Spring the wetlands awaken and it seems every day a new flower blooms, a migratory bird returns, or a frog, turtle or snake awake. The awakening slows down a little by June but there is still so much happening in the wetlands and I hate to miss it. It was a beautiful mostly sunny day on Thursday so I drove to the wetlands in the afternoon.
As usual I stopped at the ponds near the access roads to look for ducks, geese, herons or even bald eagles. There was no activity on the ponds on Thursday but I did see this gray catbird,
a few elusive blue gray gnatcatchers
and northern cardinal in the woods near the pond.
I drove to the parking lot, and as usual, walked down to the Susquehanna River. The ancient river, one of the oldest on the planet, was high, flowing fast. Its waters were brown, from the runoff from the recent heavy rains.
Near the river I heard, and then saw this wood thrush. I love their melodic songs echoing in the trees.
I returned to the trail head into the wetlands,
and walked under the lush canopy of green leaves of the old, towering oak, maple and sycamore trees along the trail. I came to the ponds and abandoned canals,
and saw this musket feeding on some leaves on the trail,
I watched it for a few minutes before it decided to run into the murky waters of the canal.
It was mid June, and I saw signs the Spring was ending , and Summer approaching. The high bush blueberries had only flowers on my last visit. Now green berries hung from the bushes.They will ripen in July.
The elderberry shrubs also had tiny green berries. These berries will ripen in August, when Summer is ending.
The skunk cabbages, lush and green a few weeks ago, now were already starting to decay.
In early Spring it seemed every day a new wildflower appeared in the wetlands. Now only a few wildflowers bloomed in the wetlands. I found these, maybe one of the last, Dame’s rocket flowers. A few weeks earlier they were blooming everywhere in the wetlands.
A few Japanese honeysuckle also still bloomed. Their fragrance filled the air of the wetlands a few weeks ago and I missed it this year.
Finally, I saw some meadow hawkweed flowers along the trail, They will continue to bloom throughout the Summer. All of these flowers are invasive.
I walked to the Water Fowl Pond ,
and here I saw a family of wood ducks swimming on the far side of the pond. It seems like yesterday I saw and heard the few wood ducks that arrived in the wetlands in March. Spring passed so quickly this year.
In the reeds along the pond I saw a few red winged blackbirds, this is a male,
with on a spider it caught. It didn’t appear to be eating it and I think it had a nest nearby and was going to feed it to her offspring.
I began my hike to the riverlands section of the private nature preserve, about a mile from the Water Fowl ponds.
On the way I saw a few birds, including this warbling vireo,
and female common yellowthroats,
and this female yellow warbler. I rarely see the females of this colorful bird.
As I was leaving the wetlands I also saw a few furry critters in addition to the feathered ones. Another muskrat,
looked like he wanted to pose for photos.
and a couple of cottontail rabbits,
this one taking a rest , until it saw me.
and in the more open trails in the river lands saw some more wildflowers, these will bloom throughout the Summer months, including the common spotted knapweed,
Morrow’s honeysuckle, which bloomed in early Spring, now had red berries. All of the plants are invasive.
Only the daisy fleabane flowers are native to our area.
I walked along Lake Took-A-While, as clouds now formed in the late afternoon skies.
Here I saw a few of the colorful male yellow warblers.
I only walked half way along the long lake. It was getting late, and I was getting hungry and tired. I have been retiring early in my older years and so I began my hike back.
In the wetlands I was greeted by sounds of a few black-capped chickadees and,
he cheerful song of this Carolina wren. Here is a link to a gallery on my blog web page with some more photos of the birds I saw on my hike. Susquehanna Wetlands birds June 12 2025.
My afternoon of wildlife watching wasn’t over. I saw this garter snake curled up on a fallen log along the trail,
and this baby snapping turtle on the road as I left the parking lot.
It was small but it still moved quick and almost got my finger when I moved it of the road. Here is a link to a gallery on my blog web page with some more photos from my my hike. Susquehanna Wetlands June 12 2025.
It was another great hike in the wetlands. I enjoy hiking here, especially in the Spring and Summer. I always find some interesting wildlife here and I enjoy the sites and sounds of this small nature preserve. I hope to get here more often during the Summer but there are so many trails, State Parks and forest here in Northeastern Pennsylvania it won’t be easy.
“And since all this loveliness cannot be Heaven, I know in my heart it is June.”
– Abba Woolson
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