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TRR photo by Sandy Long Switch off your lights in honor of Earth Hour on March 30, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Plan an appropriate activity highlighting this year&rsquo;s focus&mdash;the biodiversity of life on Earth. Pen a poem or write a letter to the mighty Delaware River or your favorite animal or plant species. &nbsp;Afterwards, share it through social media or send it to your local newspaper for possible publication to raise awareness of the tremendous natural resources that sustain our lives here. &nbsp;

In an effort to inspire people around the world to take action in support of the planet and the natural world, a grassroots movement known as Earth Hour was launched in 2007. The simple and symbolic … more

SANDY LONG | 3/20/19

Photo provided by Scott Rando This is a bear cub from one of last year&rsquo;s den visits. When they first emerge from the den in April, they weigh from four to six pounds, but grow close to 100 pounds as a yearling. As the latter part of March approaches, there should be more activity visible from the PGC bear-cam.

The bears’ live debut

Okay, so the groundhog may have lied, or, at least, led us slightly astray regarding the end of winter. It seems that March came in like a lion with some moderate, ice-laden storms followed by cold … more

SCOTT RANDO | 3/13/19

Japanese knotweed is one of the most prevalent invasive plants impacting the Upper Delaware River region. Its showy white flowers and bamboo-like stalks make this abundant invasive easy to recognize.

Invasives and climate change

Were you aware that Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has developed a plan addressing climate change in the commonwealth? The 74-page document published in … more

SANDY LONG | 3/6/19

TRR photos by Scott Rando Buffleheads arrive in the fall during the latter part of October. They can be seen on lakes until the water freezes. This species is a migrant; they head back to northern Canada in the middle of spring. Buffleheads are also diving ducks, but this species favors aquatic invertebrates and plant material.

Web-footed friends

Watching wildlife in the winter is a little more of a challenge than it is during the rest of the year. For one, there is the weather. You have to drive or hike to where you want to view wildlife, so … more

SCOTT RANDO | 2/27/19

TRR photos by Sandy Long Red squirrels are approximately half the size of gray squirrels and sport reddish-brown fur with spiky ear tufts. This species is very feisty, energetic and territorial. They will fend off gray squirrels to protect food sources and dens.

Know your rodent

In the heart of winter, the landscape can seem especially dreary, brightened mainly by birds and the occasional white-tailed deer. But a glance around your backyard can clue you in to the antics of … more

SANDY LONG | 2/20/19

The Great Backyard Bird Count commences

Are you looking for an excuse to get outdoors—or maybe not with the sub-zero temperatures experienced recently? Good news: If you can look out your window from that nice warm kitchen or living … more

SCOTT RANDO | 2/13/19

&nbsp;TRR photos by Sandy Long Beaver are semi-aquatic mammals that weigh between 30 to 60 pounds and range in length from 20 to 25 inches with flat, textured, paddle-shaped tails approximately 10 to 15 inches long. The tails serve as rudders when swimming, store fat in winter, provide balance and act as a prop when the animal is cutting down trees. Beaver also use their tails to warn potential predators away with a loud slap on the surface of the water.

Beaver behavior

Did you know the beaver is New York State’s official mammal, or that it is North America’s largest rodent? I recently encountered the beaver depicted here and had the opportunity to … more

SANDY LONG | 2/6/19

TRR photos by Scott Rando This is one of the bald eagle nests along the Delaware River. In it were three young that are three to four weeks old. Two of them were visible when this image was captured last May. An average clutch for a bald eagle nest is two offspring, and records show that the majority of young produced from nests on the Delaware River survive past fledge from year to year.

The state of the eagles

The start of a new year usually means it’s time to move on from the past year’s local government activities and early January re-organizational meetings. Also, there’s been drama to … more

SCOTT RANDO | 1/30/19

The art of awakening

A primary muse and fellow poet whose spirit has walked countless miles with mine has gone silent. On January 17, Mary Oliver’s battle with lymphoma came to an end. Her profound influence on my … more

SANDY LONG | 1/23/19

TRR photos by Scott Rando In the mid-2000s, the National Park Service obtained funds to purchase and release galerucella beetles, pictured here. These leaf beetles are host-specific predators of purple loosestrife, an invasive plant that is displacing many native plant species in our region.

New York announces invasive species grants

It’s the middle of winter, and you’re probably not thinking now about invasive species. Then again, it’s hard to forget clearing thickets of Japanese barberry or treating … more

SCOTT RANDO | 1/16/19

TRR photos by Sandy Long &ldquo;Garbage bear&rdquo; is a term used to refer to bears who develop the practice of raiding garbage cans. Some bears follow established collection routes that can range for miles. Making filled garbage cans accessible to bears encourages them to enter yards and properties, putting them into closer proximity to the humans who live there. Reduce your risk&mdash;and discourage a bear from developing this behavior&mdash;by storing cans where bears cannot access them. Place the cans along roadways as close as possible to the time specified for pickup.&nbsp;

Careful co-existence

Many of us live in the Upper Delaware River region partly for the opportunity to experience the abundant and amazing wildlife sharing the forests and waters of this majestic place. Most of the time, … more

SANDY LONG | 1/9/19

TRR photo by Scott Rando This is an aerial image of Walker Lake in Shohola, PA, in early December. The ice is too thin to hold anyone. The lower right portion of the lake shows the inlet stream and the absence of ice in that area. There are three holes together near the center frame, which is likely a spring.

Got ice?

With New Years behind us, a lot of people are looking forward to getting involved in seasonal outdoor activities, including skiing and snowshoeing. By January, the ice fishing season has usually … more

SCOTT RANDO | 1/2/19

All copyrighted photos contributed by Wayne Laubscher Male Rufous hummingbird

Hummingbirds are here? Now?

In the warmer months of the year, it’s common to see hummingbirds throughout the Upper Delaware River region, brightening our lives with their bejeweled beauty and entertaining us with their … more

SANDY LONG | 12/26/18

TRR photos by Scott Rando This bear has been caught red-pawed, foraging in a garbage can in Shohola, PA. Bears especially like communities where several homes are in close proximity of each other; it&rsquo;s easier to &ldquo;make the rounds&rdquo; on garbage collection day. Try to wait and put out garbage on the day of pick-up to keep from getting an unwelcome visit.

Christmas bears

Early last week, a neighbor complained to me that a bear had carried her garbage from the trashcan to the edge of her yard. Not having seen or heard the animal responsible for the garbage theft, I … more

SCOTT RANDO | 12/19/18

TRR photo by Sandy Long This deceased shrew was discovered atop the dam at the Shohola Recreation Area in Shohola, PA, where it might have been dropped by a predator that mistook it for a mouse. Because shrews secrete an offensive musky odor, predators will sometimes choose not to eat this prey. In addition to predation by animals such as owls, herons, hawks, weasels and foxes, shrews also succumb to starvation, rapid temperature changes, accidents and battles with other shrews.

Shrews: short-lived and sassy

Have you ever seen a shrew? Chances are good that the answer is no, given their secretive nature and relatively brief life spans of approximately 18 to 20 months. Although they resemble very … more

SANDY LONG | 12/12/18

Photos by Scott Rando The confluence of the Lackawaxen and Delaware Rivers attracts wintering eagles. Anywhere there is ice-free water offers eagles an opportunity to forage for fish. There are several eagle-viewing areas in the region.

Enjoying cold weather critters

Although it is getting cold with good potential for snow throughout the next few months, opportunities abound for winter activities and sights that can only be found this time of year. Aside from … more

SCOTT RANDO | 12/5/18

TRR photo by Sandy Long This juvenile American woodcock was photographed at the Shohola Recreation Area in Shohola, PA. Woodcock primarily breed in the northern United States and Southern Canada and overwinter in the southern United States.&nbsp;

Woodcock whereabouts

One of the most interesting birds with which we share habitat in the Upper Delaware River region is the American woodcock. With its long needle-like beak, plumpish rounded body and peculiar bobbing … more

SANDY LONG | 11/28/18

TRR photos by Scott Rando Many bald eagles can be seen migrating past ridges during October and November. At Sunrise Mountain, in Stokes State Forest in New Jersey, windy days with a northwest wind offer the best days to spot eagles.

Late fall raptors on the move

Thanksgiving is here, and most birds that migrate are where they have to be for the winter. People may have noticed tiny ducks on area lakes; these are buffleheads that came down from Canada in late … more

SCOTT RANDO | 11/20/18

TRR photos by Sandy Long The weight of the turkey that left these tracks, in combination with snow conditions, may have produced the interesting circular pattern. Tracks laid in snow expand as the snow melts, providing clues as to how recently the animal was there.&nbsp;

Tackling tracking in the snow

The first snows have dusted the Upper Delaware River Region. Other than giving everyone something to crow about on social media, some areas saw just enough accumulation to provide early opportunities … more

SANDY LONG | 11/14/18

TRR photo by Scott Rando This is Walker Lake in Shohola, PA looking north. Many trees are still green or pale yellow, with a few red trees, which are probably maple. There is some fall color evident, but paler than in normal years. &nbsp;

The reason for those dull fall colors

Fall is here, and most of us have already been raking or blowing a few leaves off the driveway or walkways. A couple of things are evident with the colors of the autumn leaves this year: a lot of the … more

SCOTT RANDO | 11/6/18

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past year.
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