Some Spring Hikes Near Home.

It felt more like Summer than Spring these past few days here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  I took advantage of the beautiful weather, taking a few short hikes near my home to enjoy the many things occurring in the natural world this  month. The trees, including the  birch, have  leaves still showing that refreshing early Spring color. 

On Thursday  I walked to the reclamation area again yesterday and was surprised to find these mushrooms. I am not sure of the species but they reminded me to  look for the oyster mushrooms which should be growing soon. 

I spotted this pretty bird, I think an olive sided flycatcher and spent a few minutes watching it sitting on a branch. 

I also saw this turkey vulture flying quickly over the tree tops, 

and soon discovered the reason for it’s haste. It was being chased by a crow. Although more than half  it’s size the crow looks like it was winning this encounter. 

I am not sure if it was the heat, or the strong breeze but there were few song birds in the wetlands or woods  surrounding them, except  the many black-winged blackbirds who have settled into their  territories for the season. 

I didn’t have a lot of time, but it was nice to get out in the late afternoon heat, temperatures were near 90 degrees and the blue skies strewn with cumulus clouds. 

On my way home I saw a few year long residents, some black-capped chickadees,

and this squirrels feeding in the shade of the new leaves. 

On Friday I  first took a quick walk with my macro lens and again uncovered the wonderful world of nature up close.

I photographed some of the things we see everyday, such as the common dandelion.

Or  some blueberry flowers with tiny newly formed blueberries. They won’t be ripe until July. 

I also found these pests, the tent caterpillars. They can quickly defoliate a tree. 

I, again, only had a short time, I only walked about a mile and couldn’t find many insects like I had hoped. Here is a link to some more photograph my short hike with my macro lens. https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/photographs-2017/nggallery/photographs-2017/macro-hike-May-19-2017-

On Friday I again stayed near home and walked out through the reclamation areas out to the railroad tracks. 

And once again I did not find much wildlife, just the usual robins and red winged blackbirds and this solitary crow. 

I did see one of my favorite sights  on the railroad tracks, a train. I have been excited by passing trains on these tracks since I was a young child, and still am today. 

I was disappointed not seeing more wildlife on my hike, but i always have the birds at the feeders in my backyard and I found this turkey making himself at home on my lawn. 

I am looking forward to some nice weather this weekend to again explore the great outdoors of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Here is a link to some more photographs from my hikes. https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/photographs-2017/nggallery/photographs-2017/Railroad-hikes-May-18,19-2017-

“Home is everything you can walk to.”
― Jerry Spinelli