Turtles, Cormorants And Bald Eagles At The PPl Wetlands.

The second weekend in Spring arrived with some Spring-like temperatures here in Northeastern Pennsylvania..  It was cloudy with temperatures in the 60’s on Saturday.  And  like  most weekends  I found myself at the PPL Wetlands in Salem Township.

There is so much wildlife activity in this nature preserve. I find myself  always anticipating what I may find out  here, especially in  the Spring. I parked at Lake Took-A-While. I soon saw the first of many of the recently arrived red-winged blackbirds. This is a male.

These birds arrive in large flocks in early Spring. This is a female. Sorry for the poor  quality photographs. The overcast  skies were not the best  conditions  for photography.

As I walked along the lake I  there were not as many ducks on the water.  I still saw a few bufflehead ducks.

Across the lake I  saw these  common mergansers.

There were new arrivals too . Double-crested cormorants were bobbing their heads on the lake while others were flying overhead.

The were also a lot of fisherman trying their luck along the shores of the lake.

The large flock of geese were gone.  They have paired up now and are settling into the territories they staked out. Soon they will be tending their eggs in the nest. 

I walked past the lake and followed the river trail to the Susquehanna River. I saw a few cardinals in the woods.

Of course there were plenty of robins along the trail now.

Another sign of Spring was the appearance of some green  plants. I am not sure what this flower is but i was sure glad to see it.

I walked along the river, seeing a another flock of cormorants. They were frightened by an approaching boat. 

I returned to the wetlands and was watching the ducks on the lake when i saw this bald eagle flying overhead. I am always delighted to see our National symbol  on my hikes.

As I watched it fly into the distance another one, a juvenile, soared overhead in the overcast sky.

Two bald eagle sightings  in one day is always a good thing.

I next  walked into the wetlands and found another welcome sign of Spring. The turtles were once again sitting on the logs in the warm morning air.

I also encountered this critter, I believe it is a muskrat swimming in a canal in the wetlands.

I returned to the lake seeing a few woodpeckers in the wetlands on my way.

Despite the cloudy skies it was still a great Spring day in the PPl Wetlands. I  wish they were of a better quality, but the cloudy skies were not kind, here is a link to some more photos from my hike. PPL hike wetland hike March 30 2019.

May you soar on eagle wings, high above the madness of the world.  Jonathan Lockwood Huie

fskokoski@gmail.com

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