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All are invited to hike with a forest specialist at Lacawac Sanctuary at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 5. You'll learn about our forests, invasive species and more.
Hike at Lacawac
LAKE ARIEL, PA — All are invited to hike with a forest specialist at Lacawac Sanctuary at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 5. You’ll be led by a Lacawac environmental educator and a forest … more
The “food bulge” depicted toward the center of this Eastern garter snake’s body betrays the fate of some hapless creature. This non-venomous reptile is one of the most common snakes inhabiting the Upper Delaware River region. It is docile and passive unless threatened, in which case it may attempt to defend itself by striking, though even this is of little threat to humans. ..Garter snakes are readily identified by a yellow stripe along the back, but coloration and patterning can otherwise be variable. Typical specimens can be brown, black or greenish, while occasionally featuring blue tones as well. The belly is usually cream-colored.
Snake snack
“How does a snake digest its food?” This is a question you might find yourself pondering one day when you nearly trample upon a snoozing garter snake lying in a sunny patch of gnarly … more
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I am a picture of joy whilst building goat huts in the dark.
New stooges
I like to think I prepare myself to be flexible and adaptable, always at the ready for strange and unforeseen opportunities that come my way. Like a corporate executive smelling out opportunity from … more
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Areas of fern growth are abundant in upland forest, and most of it is the invasive hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula). Thanks to a botanist who accompanied our trip, we found a few stands of New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis). From a distance, New York fern and hay-scented fern appear similar, but on close inspection, the NY fern (left) shows thin leaflets with a smooth end, while the hay-scented fern (right) has broader leaflets with fine serrations.
Think outside
If you like to be outside and don’t care for the oppressive mid-day heat that is usually around in mid-summer, then this is the time for you.  The first several days of September gave … more
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The little sulphur mayfly, subject to different feeding patterns on two Catskill tailwaters.
Some interesting differences in trout feeding
Those of you who regularly read this column know that I have written extensively about the little sulphur mayfly. Ever since the implementation of the water releases legislation in 1976, the time and … more
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Mrs. Hill diligently and expertly peels and slices the peaches.
Two steps forward, one step back
We almost had a head start. By almost, I mean we did have a head start, until it turned into a false start. I’m not sure how many seasonal canning people are out there right now cursing the … more
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European hornets can be readily recognized due to their size as one of the largest hornets in the Upper Delaware River region (they’re an inch or more in length), as well as their distinctive coloration. The head is red and yellow, the thorax red and brown, and the abdomen is mostly yellow, with rows of brown teardrops.
What was(p) that?!
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks,” wrote the renowned naturalist and conservationist, John Muir. While I normally wouldn’t take issue with Muir and his … more
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Milkweed bugs are largely found on milkweed plants; their bright orange and black markings advertise to predators that a very noxious meal awaits. Unlike monarch larvae, milkweed bugs can feed on other plants, such as oleander. Younger individuals in nymph stage resemble oversize orange aphids; later instars will show wing development.
Nature’s chemical weapon
We all have likely seen at least one monarch butterfly flying around the garden over the course of the summer, or perhaps we have spotted monarch caterpillars on milkweed plants. If you look closely … more
A large deposit of very fine silt left along the East Branch after the high water associated with Hurricane Debby.
Trouble on the East Branch?
The first time I fished for trout in the East Branch of the Delaware River was over Memorial Day weekend in 1959. It was shortly after New York City completed the construction of Pepacton Reservoir … more
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Showy goldenrod and its smooth tapering foliage is often misunderstood to be the flowering plant aggravating fall allergies. Goldenrod is variable in form, but generally displays brilliant splashes of bright yellow flowers with slender leaves. Not to be confused with ragweed, which blooms concurrently and launches vexatious pollen that stimulates respiratory allergies for some, goldenrod is a benign and important source of support for many pollinators.
Spare the ‘rod
Are you sneezing and wheezing as you make your way around the upper Delaware River region lately? Have you spied the brilliant yellow blooms of goldenrod and blamed them for your suffering?  … more
Lean, lower, prune, repeat.
Facing a pickle of a cucumber
If there was anything I went into this year with garden-related confidence, it was cucumber plants. Confidence, it would seem, breeds new learning opportunities in the form of previously … more
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This great spangled fritillary was spotted feeding on nectar from a thistle plant along an access road on a PA State Gamelands tract. These access roads provide a little bit of a buffer zone that is a favorable habit for thistle and other flowering plants not normally associated with typical upland forest habitats. This species will be visible through the end of August.
On and off the trail
After the heavy rains from the remnants of tropical storm Debby hit the area, it was a good time to venture into the regular wildlife haunts in search of animals on the move and plants in bloom. … more
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The New Croton Reservoir, the first reservoir to provide drinking water for New York City.
The vast New York City water supply system
It all began way back in 1842, when New York City completed and brought online the first Croton Reservoir, located in Westchester County. Years later, in 1905, that water body was enlarged and named … more
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When Indian pipes first emerge from beneath the leaf litter in regional forests, their stems bear a single flower (uniflora), which is downwardly pointed (pendant). Can you spot the black ant against the white flower in this photo?
Phantoms in the forest
The poet Emily Dickinson declared the mysterious white plant “the preferred flower of life.” Others call it ghost plant, ghost pipe or Indian pipe. Some mistake it for a mushroom. Its … more
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Some creatures attract your attention for the most unexpected reasons.
Resplendent rupture
Nature can be as brutal as it is beautiful. It might be the ivory symmetry of a winter-killed deer skull resting in a crystal stream, or the vibrant colors of a flower atop a poisonous plant.  … more
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A yellow-bellied sapsucker young is shown here peeking out of the cavity hole, likely looking for an adult with some food to deliver. Adult woodpeckers shuttling back and forth from a cavity entrance are a sure sign of breeding activity and hungry young within the cavity. ..Starting early in the spring, woodpeckers of all types will tap on trees rapidly, or “drum,” to signal to other woodpeckers that the territory is occupied. A person can learn to identify the species of woodpecker by the drumming cadence. Yellow-bellied sapsuckers have an irregular cadence.
PA Bird Atlas underway
The third PA Breeding Bird Atlas got underway this year. This undertaking is a partnership between Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and the Pennsylvania Bird Atlas … more
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One of the Catskill tailwaters, where flows are excellent and water temperatures cold and suitable for trout.
Summer on the rivers
By this time each year, in July and August, some of our trout streams are in perilous condition. High water temperatures along with low flows set up life-threatening conditions for trout … more
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Gifts of the natural world, such as this beautiful whitetail buck, can be experienced throughout the Upper Delaware River region.
Gifts of grace
Grace, in the natural world, often appears in the form of unexpected beauty. I looked up from writing that line just in time to see a doe and fawn nibbling their way across a neighbor’s lawn, … more
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James Britenbaugh of Pennsylvania reeled in the record-breaking 12-pound, 6-ounce largemouth bass from Cayuga Lake in Cayuga County while fishing in preparation for an upcoming bass tournament.
Record-breaking bass 
CAYUGA LAKE, NY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) interim commissioner Sean Mahar recently announced that a new state record for largemouth bass was set on July … more
Orange jewelweed is apparently a very handy little yard ornament.
Always learning
It can be easy to begin to fool yourself or even others that you know everything. Sometimes I have to hold back from making an educated assumption about things on the farm when there exists a perfect … more
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