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An example of the Japanese principle of wabi-sabi, which reminds us that we are all transient beings—that our bodies, as well as the material world around us, are in the process of returning to dust, as illustrated by nature’s cycles of birth, growth and decline. “Through wabi-sabi, we learn to embrace both the glory and the melancholy found in these marks of passing time,” writes Robyn Griggs Lawrence in the UTNE Reader.

Ways of seeing

Readers of this column know me to be a longtime advocate for attentive awareness of the endless wonders of nature. Engagement with the illuminating insights that can be experienced in the natural … more

By SANDY LONG | 2/19/20

After an hour of perching and seeing no fish, this adult eagle decided to move further up the Lackawaxen River. Aside from its raised wings, the eagle is flattening itself and preparing to extend its legs to get as much speed as possible.

Into the wild blue yonder

When we see wild animals in their habitats, we might see them display some behavior like chasing prey or demonstrating courtship behavior. Then, in the blink of an eye, it’s all over … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 2/13/20

Opt outside and cure cabin fever while exploring the winter landscape of the Sawkill Creek.

Curing cabin fever

Are you starting to feel the constraints of cabin fever as we enter the inward days that define February in the Upper Delaware River region? If so, there’s action you can take to alleviate what … more

By SANDY LONG | 2/5/20

This is another male deer in summer displaying its summer coat. The reddish coat is thinner, allowing deer to better cope with summer heat. This image was captured in August; the antlers are well developed, though still velvet.

Winter Coats

This winter has been on the mild side. The rivers and lakes in the area have seen less ice than normal. So far, there has not been one night where the temperature has dropped below zero degrees. Most … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 1/29/20

Trees are temporarily transformed into artful abstractions following winter snowstorms. Take a walk, and take delight in this fleeting visual gift.

The terrific-ness of trees

To me, trees are truly miraculous. As a child, I spent happy hours climbing into their arms, resting there, held in their embrace and swaying ever so slightly when the wind joined in, enhancing my … more

By SANDY LONG | 1/22/20

A muskrat enjoys dinner at sunset on an ice shelf at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. Muskrats are herbivores and usually have no problem in finding enough food during the winter months in or near the water.

Winter wildlife viewing opportunities

Winter is the time to see eagles in or around the region. Not only are there lots of migrant eagles from Canada wintering here, but the ice formation on area waterways from cold weather forces the … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 1/15/20

This adult eagle, seen on the Delaware near the Lackawaxen River confluence, is either a resident eagle or a migrant from Canada. This area stays somewhat ice-free during the winter and attracts eagles to congregate there. Areas such as these are targeted during the mid-winter bald eagle survey.

Mid-winter eagle survey

The first part of January is the time for the annual mid-winter bald eagle survey. The survey is coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Most … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 12/31/19

One of the projects funded by Pennsylvania’s Environmental Stewardship Fund resulted in a study of the impact of non-point-source pollution on water quality. The study utilized hands-on testing and sampling that compared the pristine Lake Lacawac at Lacawac Sanctuary with the massive man-made Lake Wallenpaupack, pictured here.

Celebrating conservation

It’s exciting to note that as we enter 2020, we celebrate 20 years since Pennsylvania’s Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF)—also known as Growing Greener—was established to … more

By SANDY LONG | 12/23/19

Eastern hemlock saplings are flexible and can collect enough snow and ice to bend over double. Hemlocks get stouter as they grow, but a tree more apt to cause problems with power lines is the white birch; they can get tall enough and retain enough flexibility to interfere with power lines.

December roars in

The first day of December started out well enough; it was overcast with no precipitation at 7 a.m., with a temperature of 21 degrees in Shohola, PA. At about 8 a.m., the first hint on what was to … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 12/18/19

As eagle populations rise in the Upper Delaware River region, it is increasingly likely to encounter this magnificent raptor during the Christmas Bird Count. Visit www.delawarehighlands.org/eagles/wintering-eagles to learn more about local viewing opportunities during the winter months.

Counting birds for Christmas

For 119 years, the National Audubon Society has led an important initiative known as the Christmas Bird Count (CBC)—an early winter bird census that has resulted in the establishment of a … more

By SANDY LONG | 12/11/19

This female turkey is showing off its blue-green and orange plumage. The banding of the primary and secondary flight feathers is visible on the tips of the wings. Turkey wing feathers found on the ground are most frequently misidentified as hawk feathers.

River talk

By now, most readers have finished their Thanksgiving leftovers from the holiday dinner they likely shared with family and friends last week. A whole turkey provides enough leftovers for several … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 12/4/19

Splash! The kingfisher dives into the water, nabbing a meal with a swift snap of its sturdy beak.

King of the fishers

You might be paddling down the Delaware River, or walking along the shoreline of a local lake when you hear it—the distinctive chittering cries of a belted kingfisher. The loud rattle-like … more

By SANDY LONG | 11/26/19

Express your gratitude for our mighty and majestic Delaware River by taking and posting pictures on Thanksgiving Day and using #Grateful4theDelaware to proclaim your appreciation. Visit www.4states1source.org to learn more about the Delaware River Watershed Initiative’s work to protect the rivers and streams that provide drinking water for more than 15 million people across four states.

Falling for fall

With October in the rearview mirror and Thanksgiving looming on the horizon, signs of the season’s shift toward winter are all around. Take some time to tune in to the passing peculiarities and … more

By SANDY LONG | 11/13/19

Red-tailed hawks are probably the raptor you’re most likely to see in the region. They can be seen along highways perched on trees, looking for prey in the form of squirrels or other rodents. Some of these, mainly from the north, are seen migrating through the area in late October and into November. However, many in our region stay in the area all year round.

River talk

When fall arrives, it signals the time for some bird species to migrate to warmer climes. We have all seen and heard large skeins of Canada geese flying southbound during this time of year. Other … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 11/6/19

A bookworm in the best sense, Jenna Wayne Mauder loves books so much that she started a free book swap eight years ago to re-home unwanted books to fellow book-lovers in the Upper Delaware River region. The popular community event received an environmental award from the Northeast PA Environmental Partners on October 24.

Unabashed bookworms

I suspect that readers of community newspapers like The River Reporter tend to be devotees of the written word, especially those who purchase subscriptions and enjoy the experience of ink on paper. … more

By SANDY LONG | 10/30/19

Worker bees are seen here in a section of the hive. It was about 45 degrees when this image was taken, so they were not very active. The female worker bees do most of the hive upkeep like gathering honey, feeding larval bees and constructing new honeycombs. The queen may be in that cluster, surrounded by workers in the upper part of the hive. There are also drone bees: male bees whose sole purpose is to mate with the queen. After mating, she deposits an egg in each of the designated combs.

The bees' knees

Honey bees are an essential part of the environment. They pollinate wild plants and cultivated plants alike. Our bountiful harvest in the late summer wouldn’t be so bountiful without bees to … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 10/23/19

The Eastern Newt, shown here in its terrestrial stage as a red eft, is harmless and should not be harvested for adding to bubbling cauldrons.

Forest frights

Halloween will soon be here, with witches, werewolves, monsters, ghosts, ghouls and goblins beginning to appear around our homes and neighborhoods. As the colorful foliage begins to fall, our … more

By SANDY LONG | 10/16/19

This southward-bound monarch can only fly 12 to 15 mph, but in two months, it can be down to its wintering grounds in Mexico. A butterfly has been tracked flying over 285 miles in a single day, though it may have been helped by a tailwind. Migrating monarchs are frequently seen 100 feet or more above the ground, likely helped by thermals and ridge lift.

Monarch fly-in

A fly-in might be considered a gathering for pilots that takes place at a given airfield. The focus of the meeting might be a small gathering for breakfast at the airport diner, or perhaps a … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 10/9/19

“Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation—or anywhere in the world,” according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Combined with the state’s outstanding waterways, travelers are in for a real treat while touring the region.

The forest AND the trees

Following my last column about fall webworms and eastern tent caterpillars, I decided to share something more pleasing to the eye, and to the spirit, therefore this paean to the restorative nature of … more

By SANDY LONG | 10/2/19

Neonate timber rattlers measure about one-foot long at birth. This female measured 29.8 cm and weighed 30 grams (as compared to one kilogram for the average female adult). The single rattle on its tail, resembling a button, is incapable of making any noise. This individual was one in a litter found in early September.

Some late season newborns

When we think of young animals making their first appearance in the wild, the season of spring comes into mind. Animals born during spring’s improving weather have several months of warm … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 9/25/19

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past year.
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