Adirondack Park, Cat and Thomas Mountains, 7.8 Miles RT, 1,647' +/-, 2,031 Max Elevation, July 12, 2022

Adirondack Park, Cat and Thomas Mountains, 7.8 Miles RT, 1,647' +/-, 2,031 Max Elevation, July 12, 2022

Today we hiked both Cat and Thomas Mountains. Both summits are part of the Lake George 12ster challenge. The day prior we had hiked hiked Sleeping Beauty, also part of the 12ster. So we’ve now done 3 of the 12 peaks should we decided to complete the challenge in the future. The weather was calling for potential severe thunder storms, so our Plan B was to just do Thomas if the weather decided to turn since we’d already hiked to the top of Cat the last time we were in the Adirondacks. At the start of the hike at the trailhead off Valley Woods Road we heard thunder. We began hiking but noted the time to see if we’d hear more rumbling. Luckily it seemed to pass, and when we reached the summit of Thomas the weather looked promising. We we decided to continue on to Cat Mountain and complete the loop. The hike to Thomas was fairly easy up an old carriage road. The summit opened up to beautiful views of Lake George. At one time there was a cabin on the summit, but it has since been taking down. Next we found the trail to continue on to Cat. From here the trail quickly made a steep beeline down. The trail had quite a bit of up and down and a few easy scrambles. When we arrived at the spur for Cat, we decided to hike up even though we’d done it before. The weather was still holding in our favor, so we took in the views and then made our way back down and back to the trailhead. The weather Gods must have been in our favor today because on the way out, the sky opened up and it began to pour. I was happy we were able to get in the two peaks in one hike. Another beautiful day in the ADK!

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Adirondack Park, Sleeping Beauty Mountain, Lake George Wild Forest, 4.6 Miles RT, 1,109' +/-, Max Elevation 2,347', July 11, 2022

Adirondack Park, Sleeping Beauty Mountain, Lake George Wild Forest, 4.6 Miles RT, 1,109' +/-, Max Elevation 2,347', July 11, 2022

We had a lovely hike to the summit of Sleeping Beauty Mountain in the eastern area of Adirondack Park in the Lake George Wild Forest. The hike was easy with some lovely switchbacks and a beautiful summit overlooking Lake George. We decided to add on some extra mileage by making the loop to Bumps Pond. It was absolutely beautiful and full of dragonflies and puddling butterflies. There’s a whole network of trails to explore in this area and I’m looking forward to coming back again for more hiking.

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Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, North Lookout, June 13, 2022

Hawk 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.

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Bear Creek Preserve, Sparkling Cascades & Mountain Laurel, June 10, 2022

Bear 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.

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Mariton Wildlife Preserve, Milkweed, Butterflies & Lots of Gnats, June 9, 2022

Mariton 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.

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Woodland Hills Preserve, Morning Meadow Walk, June 6, 2022

Woodland 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.

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Jacobsburg State Park, Summer Azure, June 1, 2022

Jacobsburg 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.

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Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, Murder Hornet Look-a-like and Little Wood Satyrs, May 29, 2022

Mariton 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.

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