Snow, Ice, Cold And Brilliant Sunshine At The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.

I returned to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge  in Philadelphia on  Thursday afternoon. I was back in Philadelphia to attend  a yearly Trustee meeting . As I have done the past three years, I  spend a few days in the city after my meeting  and hike  in fresh water  marshes and wetlands in the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.   (You can find more information on the refuge by reading my previous blogs which can be found by using the search tool.)

I have only visited the refuge in the Winter and I have seen the ponds and marshes frozen before.. This year, however, when I arrived  I was surprised to find over 6 inches of snow on the ground.  I never saw this much snow in Philadelphia.  It was sunny and a seasonably  cold 30° degrees. . I was the only car in the parking lot when I arrived in the afternoon. I began my hike on the Wetland Loop Trail and followed it  into the the refuge.  I was glad to find that there were tire tracks on the trails so I didn’t have to trudge through the deep snow.

The ice and snow on  impoundment pound and Darby Creek created a beautiful Winter  scene under the clear blue skies and brilliant  sunshine. Unfortunately, the ducks, geese and water fowl I came to observe and photograph could not swim  on the  frozen pond and creek .

I still enjoyed walking  in the white Winter wonderland  which I  have become accustomed to,  because of the deep snow cover we have on the ground  in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

I  didn’t see or hear any  birds or other wildlife on my  walk but I still loved seeing  the beauty of the snow and ice on  the pond and marsh  along the trail.I also observed, and enjoyed, the subtle beauty of  last season’s  withered and dried wildflowers  and grasses. They provided a stark contrast to  the  white snow, including these yellow ironweed  flowers,

common evening primrose flowers,

cattails

and Japanese bristlegrass.

The trail approached  the Derby Creek  which  creates this large  marsh. It was frozen solid which  I learned this was unusual.  It is tidal creek  and the water flows back-and-forth from the ocean. It rarely freezes  solid in the winter time.  The ice reflecting the sun created  another beautiful scene

I continued on under as the sun approached the south western horizon,

The leafless ancient mulberry,

box elder ,

an silver, maple  trees stood out against the background of the white snow,  the deep blue skies  and the setting sun..

I finally saw some bird after I had walked about a mile on  the trail.   First, I saw  few white throated sparrows, a Carolina wren  and then  this northern cardinal in the  marsh along the trail.

I also saw a  downy woodpecker,

a larger hairy woodpecker.

a red bellied woodpecker,

and a northern flicker  in the tree tops foraging for food on the frozen tree trunks.

As I continued on the snow covered trail I heard the quacking of mallard ducks. I soon came to some open water in  the mostly frozen marshes and here saw dozens of mallard ducks and a few Canada geese.

The ducks slid and  slipped on the ice and splashed in the water as I  approached.

A little further on I came upon a large flock of Canada geese.

There must have been hundreds of them feeding on the grasses in the frozen marsh.

After about  1 1/2 miles I came to the boardwalk the  led into  the Tinicum marsh.

 The water in the marsh were frozen solid and the ice sparkled in the brilliant late Winter sun.

This fresh water marsh  was once over 5000 acres. Only 2oo acres remain of this unique habitat which  is home to so many diverse types of plants and wildlife. The entire refuge protects about 1000 acres of wetlands, woodlands and the remaining marsh. The area was once a favorite fishing  hunting, gathering area of the Native Americans, This was the homeland of the Turtle Clan of the Lenni Lenape. They called it Tennakon Minquas or “islands of the marsh”. The first settlers in the area named it the Tinicum Marsh.

The marsh was almost completely lost  to a landfill and the construction of Interstate 95 in the 1950’s and 10960’s. A group of residents  and  conservationists fought against these developments and in 1972 Congress passed legislation creating the Tinicum National Environmental Center. It was later renamed the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.  I walked back  on the boardwalk and began my hike back to the parking lot. 

The deep snow  cover muffled the sound of the heavy traffic on nearby Interstate 95 and the jets taking off at the airport. It was peaceful walk back in the rays of the setting sun.

I only met 3 people on my hike.  The setting sun cast long shadows as  I slowy walked on the snowy trail.

I was hoping  to see something interesting on my visit to the refuge and, as I was finishing my hike, I did.

A red fox was walking through the reeds on the frozen impoundment pond

It was a beautiful animal,

  and was a great way to end my day  as sun began to set in the south west.   It was  another nice hike in this nature preserve in the middle of this large city, my favorite city on the planet. .  Here is a link to a gallery on my blog web site with some more photos from my 3 mile hike in refuge. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge February 5, 2026.

After my 3 mile hike I checked into the Sonesta hotel near the airport. After changing and showering I drove to the Philly Diner.

 I never eat in fast food restaurants. I enjoy locally owned rrstaiurants and  diners.   I love to chat with the local folks and share the meals I have here on my blog andsocial mediia. Here I had an average  wholesome broiled seafood meal with a salad and chocolate ice cream for  desert. It was served by a wonderful young  lady.   I returned to my hotel, edited photos, and retired early.

I was up early Friday morning.   I had planned to get a quick hike in the John Heinz Wildlife refuge before my trustee meeting. However, because of the cold weather the meeting was changed to a zoom meeting at noon. I had even more time to hike in the refuge. After a cup of coffee in my room I drove the 3 miles to the refuge and arrived at sunrise. Once again I was the only one in the parking lot.

The skies were clear, with a waning gibous moon high in the western sky.

It was a frigid 14 degrees when I again began my hike on the Wetland Loop Trail

As soon as I got on the trail I noticed how cold it was. The low temperature froze the snow on the trail and it squeaked from the cold. Once again I followed the tire tracks the ranger vehicles made on the trail.I walked past frozen Darby Creek which was cracking and booming, I’m guessing from the tidal flow beneath the ice.

There were no ducks or geese on the frozen impoundment pond, but I noticed these great blue heron perched on a branch on the cold lake.

It wasn’t moving until I got pretty close and than quickly flew off.

A few American crows also flew over in the cold morning air.

As I continued to walk on the snow covered trail the sun rose above the clouds on the southeastern horizon.

It’s rays creating long shadows,

and bathing the reeds and trees in golden light.

It was a wonderful winter world in the early morning sunshine.

The bare branches of the ancient trees were outlined by the rising sun and deep blue skies.

I came to the area where I saw the mallard ducks the previous afternoon. The open water was frozen solid and the ducks were gone. The large flock of Canada geese were also gone.

The only bird I saw was this beautiful northern cardinal enjoying the warm rays of the rising sun.

I was enjoying the warm rays of the sun too.

I walked past the trail to the boardwalk in the Tinicum Marsh and followed the Turkey Foot Trail,

which took me under some large eastern cottonwood trees

On my previous visits I would take another side trail into the marsh. I saw a mink here once. I didn’t want to trudge through the deep snow on this hike but there were footprints of some folks who did.The Turkey Foot Trail  took me to Interstate 95 and the sounds of the heavy traffic was now heard.

I followed the Tinicum trail along the Interstate a short distances. This trail would take you to another part of the refuge which I have not visited before.

I didn’t have time to explore on this hike so decided to turn back. I returned to the Wetland Loop that once again took me along the impoundment pond, and some large trees.

The trail turned and took me back to the busy Interstate highway,

and followed it through a woodland of oak and mulberry trees.

Clouds moved in , blocking the sun and making it feel a lot colder as I walked back along the impoundment pond.

Here I finally saw some bird activity, a flick of white throated sparrows was scrambling on the snowy ground searching for seeds,

A Carolina wren,

a red winged black bird, and

an American robin were singing in the trees above the trail.

The trail now took me through some wetland were large oak trees ,

and sweet gum trees grew. Sweet gum seed pods were scattered on the trail.

I usually take the side trail to the frog pond but I didn’t want to trudge through the snow.

As I was finishing my 5 Mike walk I saw one last bird, an American goldfinch.  Here is a link to a gallery on my blog web site with some more photos of the birds  I saw on my  hikes in refuge. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge  birds February 5-6 , 2026.

I  walked back to the parking lot and  over to the  Vistor Center.

I would have love to enter and explore the exhibits  but my Trustee meeting, the reason I was in Philadelphia, was at noon  I was now around 10 a.m and so I had time to find some breakfast.  Here is a link to a gallery on my blog web site with some more photos from my 5   mile hike in refuge. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge February 6 , 2026  .

I finished my hike and found a great place to eat in nearby Essington, Millers Cafe  Everyone in this quaint, 1950’s decor place knew each other and were greeted by friendly waitresses. The food was good too.

I had a vegetable and cheese omelet with real hike fried potatoes with onions and rye toast with strawberry jam.

And, of course a lot of coffee.I returned to my room, and attended my meeting , which was now only a Zoom meeting. After my meeting I edited photos and, of course had to eat again. I drove back to Essington  where I had a nice meal  baked salmon  at Lehman’s  restaurant  but it took a while to get served.  It was snowing on my drive back to my hotel. I retired early because I was leaving the snow and cold.  I had an early flight  to the warmth and sunshine in Florida.

 “It’s magical. Heinz is in one of the most developed areas in our country, but when you enter through the gates, you see all of this life. You can tune out the hustle and bustle, listen to the birdsong. You can see a fish jump out of the water and then see an eagle flying down to catch that fish. Then there’s the deer walking right by you in the woods. Oh, you see the airplanes taking off, and if you get too close to 95, you hear that. But you also see and hear so much peace. I enjoy watching a first-timer walking in and realizing the beauty that has been waiting here all along. I love that moment.” Lamar Gore