Spring Is Here, And The Susquehanna Wetlands Is Waking Up

I returned to the Susquehanna Wetlands in Salem Township, Luzerne County on Friday afternoon. I usually hike in the wetlands on weekends and in the morning.  However, there was  rain in the forecast for the weekend.  I didn’t think I would be able to hike with my camera so I decided to drive to the wetlands late Friday afternoon.

I am glad I did.  I  know how  quickly  Spring  awakens the sleeping wetlands  when it arrives.  And what a difference a week makes.  I parked near the ponds by  the access road since it was still closed for the Winter. I immediately noticed  a change,  subtle red, green and yellow  colors  could be seen in  the trees around the pond. I was just here a week ago and the trees were brown and bare.

I looked for the  wood ducks and other water fowl on the ponds.  I saw  a pair of wood ducks that  quickly flew off as I approached. The  flocks od ring neck ducks and Canda geese weren’t  there.

I walked to the parking area on the access road where I saw, up close, the colors I saw at the ponds, the yellow buds on the spice bush and willow tree,

the new green leaves on the autumn olive

and the  red buds on the red maple. They are the first hints of the spectacular show Mother Nature will  put on in the coming weeks.

There was a lot more green on  the ground along the trail too , the  Dames rocket

and garlic mustard plants continued to grow.

and the stinging nettles now joined them.  

 I also saw my first wildflower of the Spring, a delicate Spring beauty.

(Actually it was the second flower I had seen,  this is actually the flower of the skunk cabbage plants that have been blooming for a couple of weeks now). I am always amazed how quickly the Spring brings on the transformation from the brown and bleak colors of Winters to the  many bright  of colors in Spring.

I didn’t see many birds in  woodlands along the road, just a couple of northern flickers,

and  a few blue jays. 

I did see another sure sign of Spring, a young  friendly garter snake, that didn’t seem to mind me taking a closer look. I placed him/ her  back where I found him/her.

I walked to the parking area, and trail head for the Beaver Trail. As usual,  before entering the wetlands,  I walked down to the ancient, historic and scenic Susquehanna River.   I walked into the wetlands where most of the trees are still brown and bare.

I saw another sing of Spring, which I didn’t expect, a trout lily. I love these delicate flowers. Their appearance is so fleeting and I didn’t think they would be blooming yet because of the cool weather we have had. But Spring moves on regardless of the weather and I was glad  I came to the wetlands to see these flowers blooming. The will disappear for another year in a week.

The skunk cabbages were now unfurling their lush  green leaves  throughout the wetlands.

I wasn’t seeing or hearing many birds but there were dozens of turtles  on logs in the ponds and canals or along the shore. I think this is a painted turtle. I have difficulty telling them from the invasive red eared sliders.

I also saw this snapping turtle swimming slowly  in a pond.

It looks like it had an injury to it’s neck at one time, possibly some plastic  was wrapped around it.

I walked over to the Water Fowl pond and found no bird activity there,

but as I started my hike to the river lands I saw this American coot swimming  on the canal.  I don’t see many , and only in the Spring as they are migrating to their breeding grounds further north.

Walking back on  the trail, 

I was again  surprised, this time,   to see the may apple or mandrake plants,

and a magnolia flowers. As I said,  Spring  arrives at a reckless pace. Something is happening everyday.

As I was leaving the wetlands I saw a few wood ducks, one on a pond,

and the other in a tree. Wood ducks nest in the cavites of trees but I seldom see them perched  in a tree. 

Nearby I saw this red-bellied woodpecker,

that looks like it may be building a nest in a tree.

This eastern cottontail rabbit was feeding on the  first grass of Spring along the trail. 

Near the rabbit I found this spotted turtle.

It was now late afternoon when I  left the wetlands and entered the river lands area of this private nature preserve.

It was now  overcast as I walked along Lake Took-A-While.

Here I saw a few double crested cormorants,

and Canada geese. A bald eagle flew overhead but  I wasn’t able to get any photos.

I was able to photograph this eastern phobe,

this male red-winged blackbird.,

an American robin. and

this common grackle.

An American crow flew overhead with something in it’s beak that I am thinking was edible.

I walked to the far end of the lake,

seeing another critter with a wound, this muskrat. It could have happened from an escape from a bald eagle, hawk, fox or mink.

It was close  6 p.m. when I began my hike back to the wetlands. The skies were overcast. The wood frogs were now singing in the woods but I didn’t hear any Spring peepers.  I saw a lot more turtles  on the way and ,

a few more birds, including  rusty blackbirds,

and this Carolina wren singing an evening song.  Here is a link to a gallery on my web page with some more photos of the birds I saw on my hike. Susquehanna Wetlands birds April 4 2025.

 It was nice being in the wetlands late in the days. I am usually there in the mornings.  It was very peaceful  here in the evening. I finished my five mile hike and I ws glad I came and saw so many signs of the arrival of Spring. And it was just the beginning of  Nature’s  annual show. There is a lot more to come. I love Spring. Here is a link to a gallery on my web page with some more photos from  my  afternoon hike. Susquehanna Wetlands  April 4 2025.

It did rain  Saturday,  but I did get in a five mile hike at  Leaser Lake in Lehigh County. It rained again Sunday morning but the rain was ending around 8 a.m. So I returned to the wetlands. It was cloudy and a cool 47 degrees when I arrived. 

There were no birds on the ponds by the access gate, which was still closed, or along the road to the wetlands parking lot.

After walking to the river I was saw this eastern phoebe at information sign at the entrance to the wetlands. . I have seen a phoebe here for about five years now. I am not sure if it’s the same bird or her offspring but she builds here nest here every Spring. 

I walked into the wetlands, which were now muddy and had many puddles from the rains.

I saw many of the same birds I saw the previous day, and a few new ones like these  northern  rough winged swallow,

and a pileated woodpecker. I left love seeing these large woodpeckers , although I didn’t get any good photos of this beautiful woodpecker.

I walked to the Water Fowl ponds and saw no bird activity so I walked toward the river lands.

I saw many of the same birds, the American coot, song sparrows , American robins , and many more ,

and a few new ones including this brown headed cowbird .

I heard some palm warblers and this pine warbler high in a tree too. I often seen these birds on my travels to Florida and it’s nice to see them back in Northeastern Pennsylvania.its not the best photo but I’ll see more of them, I’m sure.

There were no turtles, snakes or frogs singing on this chilly hike, but I did see this bald eagle flying overhead,

and I was able to get a few photos as it flew off  in the cloudy skies.

I walked through  the wetlands, again seeing a lot of the birds I had seen earlier and on my hike Friday. I also saw a few swamp sparrows,

and white throated sparrows in the wetlands.

I walked over to the river lands again, and found the shores of Lake Took-A-While lined with fishermen.  The first day of fishing began on Saturday.

I usually see bald eagles, flying above the lake, or perched on trees along the shore,  during fishing season,  but not on this cool Sunday morning.  All I saw were a small flock of  double crested cormorants, Canada geese,

and a  few northern cardinals, joining the tree and rough winged swallows in feeding on a hatch of flies on the lake.   Here is a link to a gallery on my web page with some more photos of the birds I saw on my hike. Susquehanna Wetlands birds April 6  2025.

I began my hike back to the river lands hoping to see some bald eagles, snakes, or other  interesting critters on the way,

I didn’t see any.  I finsihed my five mile hike and  I was content to enjoy the beauty of the trout lilies, skunk cabbages and buds on the trees. The bleak and bare  wetlands will quickly change into their lush Spring green and other bright colors. I hope  get out and observe as much of it as I can. I love Spring!  Here is a link to a gallery on my web page with some more photos from my morning  hike. Susquehanna Wetlands   April 6  2025.

“Everyone sleeps and everyone wakes up; these are ordinary and boring awakenings! But there is also the awakening of spring, an extraordinary awakening! In classical music, all the instruments start to play at the same time and there is a great wave of excitement, and spring wakes up just like that!”
― Mehmet Murat ildan