Some Late December Sun At The PPL Wetlands

The sun was near its lowest position in the sky last weekend here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It was a week before the Winter solstice and I decided to again hike in the PPl Wetlands in Salem Township, Luzerne County. I hoped to see the pair of mature bald eagles or the juvenile one I had seen the weeks before. 

The December sun was hidden by clouds when I arrived at the wetlands. It was much different then the previous week. We had a warm spell and the ponds and canals were now ice-free. 

I didn’t see the mature bald eagles when I arrived. They are usually in this area of the preserve. In fact, there was little wildlife activity as I walked along the trails of the wetlands. I heard a few crows but didn’t see any birds at all in the wetlands.

I followed the trails to the river lands area of the park. The low December sun broke through the clouds and provided a unique illumination to the  woodlands. 

The low position of the sun in the sky made it seem more like early morning or late evening even though it was getting close to noon.

At Lake Took-A-While I also  found the waters to be ice  free.

However, the large flock of Canada geese was gone. Only a pair of geese remained.

I was surprised to find a lone cormorant still on the lake.

And, as I continued my hike along the lake I heard the chattering of a kingfisher. It took a while, but I was able to find it and get this photograph from across the lake

I began my walk back still hoping to see the bald eagles. Unfortunately, I didn’t see them. I was disappointed, but it was still a nice day with mild temperatures for December. I had a feeling that the warm spell would not last very long. Snow and cold would be coming soon I am sure. But every warm day is a blessing for me. Here  is a link to some more photographs from my hike. PPL Wetlands December 15 2019

The sun that brief December day Rose cheerless over hills of gray, And, darkly circled, gave at noon A sadder light than waning moon.  John Greenleaf Whittier

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