Walk around Woodland Hills Preserve. Always enjoy seeing the red-winged black birds here. Great way to start the day listening to the sounds of nature.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreWoodland Hills Preserve Walk, June 21, 2022
Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, June 18, 2022
Photos from a lovely early evening walk around Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary. Always enjoy coming here, especially early morning or at dusk when you can hear the Wood Thrush singing in the forest. The light was exceptionally beautiful today.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreHawk Mountain Sanctuary, North Lookout, June 13, 2022
This was my first trip to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. I’ve known about this place since we came to Pennsylvania, but avoided it because of how crowded I understand it gets. Since it was a weekday, I took a chance on it being less crowded and I’m really glad I did. There are so many trails here to explore and the visitor’s center (complete with gift shop) is wonderful. We did an easy out and back to the North Lookout. There are harder routes here with lots of rock scrambling which we will try another time. Today was a day for sight seeing and checking things out. I can only imagine how awesome it must be up here when the birds are migrating along the flyway. We didn’t see a much today aside from a turkey vulture riding the thermals, but it was a nice day to come and explore and learn a little bit about the history of the place which I didn’t know at all. Hawk Mountain was founded in 1934 by Rosalie Edge, a conservationist who eded the pointless hunting of raptors migrating along on the Kittatinny Ridge. Raptors were once thought to be a threat to “wild game” and humans thought they needed to interfere with nature by slaughtering thousands of raptors. Heartbreaking. Thankfully, Rosalie Edge stepped in and silenced the rifles. Today Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is a place to learn and explore. There’s also a wonderful native garden with a turtle pond just near the entrance. We will definitely be back to hike more of the trails and do some bird watching.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreBear Creek Preserve, Sparkling Cascades & Mountain Laurel, June 10, 2022
Today we did an early morning hike at Bear Creek Preserve. I’m hanging onto what’s left of spring because soon it will be too hot and humid to be out on the trails. The east coast is now transitioning into summer. Personally, I think it’s the worst time of year for hiking. This time of year I wish I was back in SoCal where we could escape to the High Country where the mountains are cooler at elevation. Don’t get me wrong, the trails still got hot, but we knew to be up before dawn and done with our hike by mid-morning. I think I am conditioned from hearing the countless stories of SAR having to rescue people off the mountains because of heat stroke and dehydration. Maybe Pennsylvanians are are a heartier bunch? I’m not really sure. But hiking in heat is not for me. However, back to the hike today… Pennsylvania’s state flower, the mountain laurel, is in full bloom. Clusters of flowers in shades of white and pink adorned the lush, green trails as we meandered along the undulating trail in and out of hardwoods. We started our hike today just off Rabbit Run Lane on the red trail. The trail took us up to the top of the first waterfall and then dipped down to the creek where we picked up the gray trail. The bridge to get across Shades Creek had been blown down by a storm, but it has since been replaced. After crossing the bridge, the trail continued along the creek passing by sparkling cascades and winding in and out of rhododendron tunnels. It took us through a forest of hemlock and white pine and eventually to the spur trail to the bottom of the first waterfall that we’d seen from the top. The last time we were here it was in the winter when we were snowshoeing. Bear Creek Preserve is a beautiful preserve. It has enough variety in scenery so that you don’t get bored since there’s not a whole lot of elevation. We closed the loop at about 6 miles. It was an enjoyable day.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreMariton Wildlife Preserve, Milkweed, Butterflies & Lots of Gnats, June 9, 2022
I paid another visit to Mariton today. I’ve found a few regular spots that I enjoy coming to regularly that are near enough that I don’t have to drive too far if I want to go on a quick nature walk. In Los Angeles, I had all the local gardens nearby to enjoy (Descanso Gardens, The Huntington Botanical Garden and the Los Angeles Arboreum). While I don’t have those types of gardens near where I’m currently living, I’m finding my regular spots to frequent. It’s nice to visit the same place over and over again throughout the year to note the changes that take place through the seasons. Some might say, “But California doesn’t have seasons.” I disagree. Yes the climate is temperate most of the year, but there are definitely seasons with notable changes. Albeit not as dramatic a change as the east coast, but if you are in tune with nature, you will definitely become aware of these subtle and quite lovely transitions. But I digress. Back to my walk today… We are now beginning to transition into summer. The east coast has gone full force emerald green. I find it fascinating how one day it seems as if everything is still brown from the dead of winter, and the next you look out your window and suddenly everything has turned green. It’s quite a different color palette compared to the soft brown tones I was used to in Southern California. In the meadows, the milkweed continues to bloom. More and more butterflies are starting to appear. Today I saw Skippers, Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Little Wood Satyr and a Great Spangled Fritillary. I wish I could have gotten closer to them for better photos, but I didn’t want to be THAT idiot who stomps all over the plants just to get “the shot”. Instead I stayed in my place along the pathway that cuts between the two meadows and patiently waited for a butterfly to land near enough to get a decent photo. But it was difficult today, as the gnats were terrible and even with bug repellent they continued to swarm about my head. I keep forgetting to bring my bug net! Still, I did my best to wait it out and when a butterfly was somewhat within range of my camera lens, I leaned over as far I could to get a photo. One of these days I’d love to invest in one of those fancy (expensive) ginormous camera lenses, although quite honestly, I’d probably not want to lug it around. It was a beautiful day. Not too humid, and I enjoyed a beautiful morning walk before starting my day.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreWoodland Hills Preserve, Morning Meadow Walk, June 6, 2022
Photos from a quick morning walk around Woodland Hills Preserve. I like coming here because 1) it’s fairly close to my home and I can get in a quick nature walk before heading to work and 2) it brings me great joy in knowing that this used to be a golf course. Don’t you just love it when nature takes it back? The meadows are filled with mugwort, yarrow and the common milkweed is just starting to bloom. Soon this place will be filled with butterflies, sphinx moths and pollinators galore. As I passed through the wetlands, tall stalks of poison hemlock towered above the marshy grass. Dozens of red-winged blackbirds perched high in the trees drooping their wings and singing flute like notes that tapered off into a trill. Frogs in the pond chimed along with their deep croaks and bellows making for a melodious morning chorus as I walked along the paths. I spotted a monarch or two fluttering about sampling the first taste of sweet nectar on the newly blooming milkweed. And on the wing still are the Little Wood Satyrs although some of them were a little tattered and past their prime. Wild rose was blooming and the aroma wafting through the air was just incredible. It was a marvelous way to start my day. I always enjoy coming here.
Click “Read More” below to see more photos.
Read MoreJacobsburg State Park, Summer Azure, June 1, 2022
A quick morning walk around Jacobsburg State Park this morning to check out what was blooming and spot some butterflies. At the start of the trail which is just off the side of a busy road, I immediately saw a fluttering of tiny wings. This, I’m pretty sure was the Summer Azure butterfly. I could, of course, be totally wrong here, as there’s also a Spring Azure which looks almost identical. (At least to me as a novice citizen scientist and long-time butterfly enthusiast.) I crouched in the bushes along side of the road to get my photos as cars drove by either not noticing me at all or if they did, they probably thought I was just some crazy person. But I managed to get some pretty decent shots of the tiny little beauty at the very beginning of my walk. As I continued along the trail, I saw quite an abundance of wildflowers in bloom including: dames rocket, solomon’s plume, wild rose, buttercups, golden alexander, fleabane and forget-me-nots just to name a few (Thanks iNaturalist!). Along my route I spotted some interesting mushrooms which I later ID’d as Petticoat Mottlegill. Quite a dainty little name for a mushroom that is noted to mostly grow on poop. I guess this would make sense since I was on a horse trail. It was a lovely morning and I enjoyed the walk and fresh air to start my day.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreMariton Wildlife Sanctuary, Murder Hornet Look-a-like and Little Wood Satyrs, May 29, 2022
I spent another morning walking the wooded paths and grassy meadows at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary. Today the white dame’s rocket seemed to be the dominant wildflower towering above the tall grasses at the start of the main trail. I noticed so many different kinds of mushrooms and am embarrassed to say I am not at all up to speed on identifying all the east coast fungi - there’s a lot! As I walked, I began to hear a loud buzzing sound coming from a large crack in the bark of a tree. It didn’t know what it was at the time, but it was some type of very LARGE hornet. When I first made an ID, I thought it was the invasive Asian Giant Hornet, aka “Murder Hornet”. But upon further research, I realized it was actually a European Hornet and not its menacing look-a-like which is a threat to the honey bee. I continued through the woods observing all the ferns and fungi. I crossed paths with a coyote who slipped stealthy into the woods on a deer path as I headed up the hill towards the meadow. In the meadow, I saw a fluttering tiny earthy brown wings. Some were Dusky Wing butterflies and the others were Little Wood Satyr. It was an easy ID to make because in the meadow I met another butterfly enthusiast and he told me what they were. The Little Wood Satyr flutters low to the ground in late May and Early June announcing the beginning of summer. The Wood Satyr has two prominent eye spots on its forewing and one (or two if it’s a female) on its hindwing. Sometimes there’s a smaller spot near the body. In the ventral view, there are two distinct lines across both wings and two eyespots on the forewing and two on the hindwing with several smaller spots. Are you confused? I know I am. But that’s what makes butterfly identification so fun (and frustrating)! After spending time in the meadow, I was going to start heading back via the Turnpike Trail, but decided head back into the woods and hike down (and then back up) the steep hillside on the North Fox Trail. The sun was starting to peak through the trees and the bugs were getting, well, buggier, so I perfumed myself in some all natural bug repellent attempting to make myself less irresistible to the gnats. I spent a good long while at the sanctuary this morning and had a lovely time taking in the fresh air, enjoying the accompany sounds of birds and the flutter of butterfly wings.
Click “Read More” below for more photos from the day.
Read MoreVan Buskirk Farm Preserve, Toads & Witch's Butter, May 22, 2022
Today we went back for a visit to Van Buskirk Farm Preserve. It’s one of those places I doubt many people even know about much less visit. The preserve is hidden in plain sight just off the side of a major road and if you didn’t know where to look for the trailhead, you’d probably drive right past and miss all the beauty it has to offer. Today Cranberry Creek was sparkling with bright tones of emerald green reflected by the moss carpets clinging to the large boulders strewn about the creek. Boughs of the great hemlock trees bent and swayed along with the the breeze and the water cascaded in a rhythmic natural orchestra. As we made our way to the bridge that crosses the creek, I noticed some work was done to the trail to clear the heavy the storm damage I’d seen the last time we were here.
As we hiked the the dirt trail navigating the muddy sections always to be expected this time of year, I noticed an American Toad sitting quietly hoping to blend in with the leaf debris and waiting for us to pass. We continued onward through the forest and came upon two little red efts making their way along the trail. We hiked up to the red rock quarry, passed the vernal pool that is usually filled with the sound of chirping frogs and made our way down to the ruins of the old farm. I spotted an interesting fungi today which I ID’d later as “Witch’s Butter”. Witch’s Butter is an edible fungus also known as yellow brain, golden jelly and yellow trembler. The names seemed appropriate to match its description. This type of fungus is typically found on fallen branches and grows in crevices of bark during rainy weather. It dries up a few days after the rain, but it can revive itself when it gets wet again. Fascinating.
The hike is fairly short, but it was a perfect spring day to drive to the Poconos and simply enjoy the nature. We sat on the bridge for a while before heading back and as we did the sun began to peak through what had started out as on overcast day. It was a perfect morning.
Click “Read More” below for more photos from the day.
Read MoreMariton Wildlife Sanctuary Mayapple & More Wildflowers, May 20, 2022
I took an early morning walk around Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary this morning to see what wildflowers I could find. Right at the entrance to the Main Trail, showy dame’s rocket was bursting with with its soft, lavender and white flowers. As I walked along, I spotted jack-in-the-pulpit blooming inconspicuously long the woodsy trail. I noted wild geranium, fleabane, golden ragweed, dwarf dandelion, star of Bethlehem, ox eye daisy, and anise root. (All of this was ID’s through my iNaturalist app.) I’m still learning the east coast flora and I’m sure I will be learning for a long time. But the highlight of my walk today was the blooming Mayapple. I’ve seen these attractive umbrella like plants in many different locations in the area, and as I was hiking today, I caught a large patch of them in bloom. Mayapple is a native woodland plant that grows in colonies in deciduous forests, shady fields and along riverbanks. The plant is highly toxic except for fruit, but I personally am not that brave to try it. Another favorite of mine are the tulip trees. This time of year you can find the flowers that have dropped from the trees above along the forest floor. The flowers are a delicate shade of pale yellow outlined in bright orange. They’re usually high above in the trees and are easily missed until they fall from the trees.
Click “Read More” below for more photos from the day.
Read MoreHickory Run State Park, Shades of Death & Beach Trail, May 18, 2022
The Shades of Death Trail in Hickory Run State Park is a lovely trail. It’s nice to come here on a weekday when it’s not crowded. It’s one of the more popular trails in the area, and I can see why. The trail is fairly steady most of the way and has plenty of scenery to enjoy as it undulates along Sand Spring Run passing by waterfalls and cascades, through hemlock forest and rhododendron thickets, over bridges and through large boulders. There are sunny meadows, a fishing pond and the ruins of an old logging mill and a dam. This trail is an out and back of just one mile each way. We walked up to the visitor center and then onto the Beach Trail which is just across the street to add a little more time to the hike. We had really great weather today. Here are some photos from the trek.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreWoodland Hills Preserve, Walking with Black Vultures, May 16, 2022
Early morning walk around Woodland Hills preserve. Lots of wildflowers blooming here and I worked with my iNaturalist app to ID them. Weather was cloudy and a couple of times the wind kicked up and dark clouds rolled through. I thought it might storm, but there was no thunder and it never did. Half way through my walk on the inner loop, I saw a tree full of over a dozen black vultures. They were perched high over head and soaring back and forth between the tall trees. I walked right under them and took a few photos. They just watched me as though they were just as curious about me as I was with them. It was a really nice surprise seeing these beauties up close.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreJacobsburg State Park Wildflower Walk, May 10, 2022
Wildflower walk at Jacobsburg State Park. I use the iNaturalist app to ID and it’s been really helpful in learning the east coast flora. Today’s finds included the following: Common Blue Violet, Dandelion, Spanish Bluebell, Jack in the Pulpit (one of my favorites), Virginia Spring Beauty, Wood Anemone, Red Deadnettle, Trout Lily (which were past bloom), Buttercups, Mayapple, Poison Hemlock, Garlic Mustard, Golden Alexanders, and Garden Yellow Rocket. Everything is suddenly turning green and the days are starting to warm. Everything smells so new and fresh. Spring is a lovely time of year.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreRed Rock Trail & Mount Sophia, May 8, 2022
Today we hiked the Red Rock Loop and Mt. Sophia. This trail is part of the Mount Airy Trail Network in the Pocono Mountains. We’ve been here a couple of times before and it’s lovely, mellow trail. My favorite part of this hike are the beautiful eastern white pines on top of Mt. Sophia. If you peak through the trees, you can also catch a glimpse of Camelback mountain. But the highlight of my trip today was seeing a barred owl. In Los Angeles, I spent so many nights walking the hills of Griffith Park at dusk listening and watching the families of Great Horned owls hoot and hunt just after sunset. This was the first owl I’ve seen since being in Pennsylvania, and my first barred owl so it was a real treat!.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreCatskill Park, Overlook Mountain Fire Tower & Hotel Ruins, 5.82 Miles RT, 1,640' +/-, April 24, 2022
We took a day trip to the Catskills to explore the area and hike. Our first stop was the visitors center where we asked for some recommendations and picked up a few maps. We decided to check out Overlook Mountain which was one of the hikes I’d read about when I was researching before our trip. We got back in the car, drove through Woodstock and found the parking lot at the trailhead off Meads Mountain Road across from a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It was later in the day, and with this being a popular hike, the lot was at capacity and we ended up parking along side the road.
The hike is on an old carriage road and the views didn’t change much as we made our way up steadily gaining in elevation. In a little over a mile and a half we came upon the ruins of the old Overlook Hotel. The ruins here are the remains of the third building that was built at this location. The first was built in the early 1800s. Over the years, the Overlook Hotel changed hands serval times. It seemed to be a failed endeavor right from its start. It burned down twice before it was rebuilt it in concrete. In the early 1900s, the failed Overlook Hotel closed its doors indefinitely as the trend of luxury resort hotels in the Catskills phased out and the clientele took their money elsewhere. Today, the Overlook’s ruins are one of the only historic resorts left in the Catskills. In the 1970s, the hotel burned yet again, but the concrete structure withstood the fiery blaze.
After exploring the ruins, we continued up the trail until we reached the summit of Overlook Mountain at 3,140 feet. There’s a cabin just before the fire tower and a short spur trail that took us to a rocky outcropping with expansive views of the Hudson River Valley and Ashokan Reservior. After checking out the vista, we continued to the fire tower. We climbed the tower’s stairs, but the door to the actual lookout was closed. We cllimbed up the 60 foot tower as high as we could go and enjoyed the views before heading down to have a snack at one of the convenient picnic tables on the summit.
After our snack, we began to make our way back. We decided to quick check out a side trail to Echo Lake which had much less people, but as we began to give up elevation, we decided to turn around and save it for another day since it was a little late and we’d have to hike it back up and then down again on our original trail.
It was a lovely day and although this was a more populated hike, I did enjoy the climb up the fire tower and it was a nice intro to the Catskills.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreAdirondack Park, Marcy Dam via Van Hovenberg Trail, 5 miles RT, 500' +/-, April 18, 2022
After our morning hike up Owl’s Head, we headed over to Adirondak Loj for a nice, mellow hike out to Marcy Dam via the Van Hovenberg Trail. We’ve done this section of trail several times before and being that it was shoulder season, we thought it was best to stay below 2,500’ to avoid soft melting snow and the ice still holding on at higher elevations. The hike to Marcy Dam is pleasant with much of it being easy, rolling trail. It was a perfectly beautiful day and upon arriving at the dam, we chatted with some hikers who’d just come down from Colden. They confirmed it was mostly still ice up there, which was not a surprise. We took our time and hung out at the dam soaking in more sunshine before heading back. We stopped at the Big Slide restaurant for lunch in Lake Placid before heading back to the hotel and checking out to drive back. We’d initially planned to stay another night, but a spring snow storm was predicted to roll in overnight and by this time, the weather service was pretty certain it would bring with it about 12 inches of snow. We checked out early and drove back home to be on the safe side and avoid unpredictable driving conditions the next morning. It was another wonderful trip to the ADK which has become my happy place since we are currently here on the east coast.
Click Read More below for more photos.
Read MoreAdirondack Park, Owl's Head Trail, 1 Mile RT, 500' +/-, April 18, 2022
The Owl’s Head Trail is a short but steep 1 mile ascent requiring some moderate scrambling and is considered “Adirondack easy”. For a minimal amount of work, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views of Giant, Hurricane, Lower Wolf Jaw, Porter, Cascade, Pitchoff and Jay.
The trail is on private land and is only open on weekdays. It’s located just off the 73 near Keene (you’ll actually see the summit as you descend from Lower Cascade Lake along the 73). Be mindful of parking (we parked along the 73 just to be safe) and walk down the dirt road to the sign for the unmarked trail. As you begin, the trail makes an immediate ascent. You’ll see views of Pitchoff, Cascade and Porter as you climb. The final pitch is a moderate scramble that snakes around the edge. At the top and you’ll be rewarded with fine views all around. From the main ledge we could make out Giant, Lower Wolf Jaw, Hurricane, Porter, Cascade, Pitchoff and Jay. We sprawled out on the large flat boulders and soaked in the sun before heading back down the way we came. Once back at the trailhead, we still had plenty of time in our day to head out and hike some other trails.
Click Read More below for more photos.
Read MoreAdirondack Park, Cat & Thomas Mountain Preserve, Cat Mountain, 7 Miles RT, 1,342 +/-, April 17, 2022
Beautiful day in the Adirondacks hiking to the top of Cat Mountain. We started the hike from the trailhead off Valley Woods Road, followed the blue trail and then onto the yellow trail to the summit which gave us spectacular views overlooking Lake George. There is nothing technical on this route and no rock scrambling as there typically is with much of the Adirondacks. Since it’s shoulder season, I was expecting more mud, but it was minimal. This was the perfect hike to do after a 4 hour drive which gave us enough time to head up to Lake Placid afterwards and enjoy a nice dinner before settling in early and heading out to do more hiking in the High Peaks region the next day.
Click Read More below for more photos.
Read MoreBirding Around Woodland Hills Preserve, April 13, 2022
Morning walk around the Woodland Hills Preserve. Love coming here before work. It’s a great place for birding! The tree swallows are coupled up and they are taking advantage of the nesting boxes. The cherry blossoms are in bloom and the preserve is full of birdsong. Woodland Hills Preserve was once a golf course and it’s so wonderful to see nature taking over. Other birds I observed here today were: Brown Thrasher, Red-winged Blackbirds, Mockingbird, Northern Flicker, Eastern Towhee and a few others I still need to identify. Very enjoyable morning.
Click “Read More” below for more photos.
Read MoreJacobsburg State Park, Explorer Trail, Sobers Run, April 10, 2021
Beautiful early morning walk at Jacobsburg State Park. I parked in the lot off Belfast road, crossed the bridge over Bushkill creek and headed onto Sobers Run to the Explorer Trail. This is one of my favorite sections of the park, as there’s a large conifer plantation here and walking through it in the early morning hours was magical. The trail then travels mostly through hardwood forest until it eventually drops down to the creek. I sat here for a while enjoying the sound of the rushing water and the hemlocks swaying in the wind. I love starting out my mornings with a nature meditation and grounding practice. And even though some days it’s hard to wake up before the sun, I never regret it.
Read More