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While walking our dogs (on leash) along a rural road in Pike County, PA, we encountered this porcupine. At our approach, the “quill-pig” froze and assumed the protective pose depicted here. A porcupine might also flail its quill-studded tail at a potential predator, giving the false impression that it can throw its quills. ..Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot throw quills. Their best defense involves assuming the stance in which they raise their quills so that, if bitten, the predator receives a mouth full of barbed needle-like spines. They can also thrash their tails, so keep a respectful distance and enjoy their delightful demeanor. ..This passive and slow-moving woodland inhabitant is a treat to see, as its inability to escape in haste allows for study of its unique characteristics. ..
A waddling wonder
Myths and misunderstandings abound in the natural world and can lead to undesirable outcomes.  Such is the case when it comes to the quill-pig, more commonly known as the porcupine (they … more
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Nothing puts you in a good mood like the first big chores outdoors.
Spring cleaning
Spring has sprung! And then it sort of fell on its face, rolled over, laughed and got up again before tripping over its shoelaces and jovially zig-zagging into a wall.  It was at this point … more
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This wood frog is in the breeding pond and is probably a male (the males are darker and smaller than females). The sound of calling males in an active breeding pool resembles off-tune quacking ducks. Males call for receptive females, and successful males will grasp a female from behind (amplexus) to mate. Females deposit about 1,000 eggs on vegetation in deeper parts of the pond. Wood frog egg masses are frequently visible after breeding is over.....
Singing wood frogs mean the end of winter
As I write this (11 March), the temperature is in the 30s with a brisk NW wind that is gusting over 40 miles per hour—but I am thinking of spring. Someone who lives near Stroudsburg, PA told me … more
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Buddhawg was a big fan of the fluffy white stuff, often sporting a fetching snowbeard after a romp outdoors...
The sorcery of snow
To see the writing on the wall is to predict some potentially unpleasant outcome on the near horizon. But following a light snow that dusted my walkway recently,  I was treated to an artful … more
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The sparks of progress.
A new post
I do. That was the contract that resulted in a thousand “do’s” since. Careful, young fellas: you want to be mighty sure of the lady to whom you give the power of the … more
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..This is the Sawkill Creek, taken upstream of the Mott Street Bridge on Glen Trail within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Fresh snow still covers the trees and branches. This is part of a short-loop trail that takes 15 minutes or so to hike. At the upstream end of this trail is a trail that cuts to the left and leads up to the top of High Knob, which offers a good view of Milford and surrounding countryside...
Late-winter snow
We are about a month from spring, or the vernal equinox; it occurs this year on March 19. Some people might have thought that we would have an early spring. Our winter has been somewhat of a mild … more
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An angler fishing in Skwala waders, the most recent company to make quality waders and add short sizes to its line.
My great fishing wader dilemma: an update
A few years ago, I vented my frustration in the River Reporter over not being able to find a pair of bootfoot waders in my size. In that column, I explained that no manufacturer of premium chest … more
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The Eastern cottontail rabbit enjoys a wide field of vision due to eyes set on either side of the head. Sharp hearing, a keen sense of smell and quick bursts of speed in zigzag patterns help them to evade predators...
Who goes there?
While walking around my yard the other day, I came upon evidence that some unseen guest had been snacking on bark and defecating on the lawn. It didn’t take long to figure out who the culprit … more
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Who has time for that?
[Editor’s note: This column originally ran on February 4, 2021.] As the snow continues to fall and freeze and swirl around outside, I can’t help but feel as though I’m inside a … more
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Two prince nymphs, rigged for deep water fishing.
Nymph fishing in the Madison River, West Yellowstone, MT
My diary tells me the last time I fished the Madison River, near West Yellowstone, MT, was in late August. As with the Catskills, Montana rivers have their own sequence of hatches—when they … more
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Downy woodpeckers are attracted to feeders, either seed or suet. About the size of a sparrow, downy woodpeckers are the most commonly seen and heard woodpeckers in many areas. The drumming from a downy woodpecker is a series of rapid beats. The species that is often confused with the downy is the hairy woodpecker. Its drumming, however, is more rapid.
Nature’s drummers
Most of us at one time or another in our lives banged on a toy drum, tambourine, or some sort of percussion instrument in the high school band—or even played a full-fledged set of drums for a … more
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Raven investigates the interior of the mysterious orb and its hexagonal cells.
A find in the forest
A find in the forest Walking our dogs the other day, allowing a wander to settle the way, when what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a papery orb on the forest floor near. The sun cast … more
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Thought for the day: Make sure you have a spare key.
It happens to everybody
You can have sanity or children, but you can’t have both. One can argue I gave up on sanity long before my children but nevertheless, they’ve cemented that decision every day since. … more
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A large, fat rainbow trout, much like those now being caught in the Ashokan Reservoir. Link to file: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
A change in feeding behavior of Ashokan Reservoir rainbow trout
Rainbow trout were first stocked in tributaries of the Esopus Creek in 1883, taken from California stocks.  As those fish matured and reproduced, offspring spread throughout the watershed. … more
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During a cold spell a few years ago, low temperatures hit sub-zero levels for close to a week before this photo was taken. The result is what appears to be a frozen waterfall. In reality, water is flowing under the vertical part of the ice sculpture underneath the ice just below the falls (which makes it unsafe to walk on). Moving water, such as a stream or waterfall, takes lower temperatures and longer times to freeze compared to still water, such as lakes and ponds...
Mid-winter sights
This January has been a mild one. There has been some moderately cold weather and some snow, including a storm that dumped about a foot of snow in many areas during the second week. But overall, … more
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These acorn middens were observed in Promised Land State Park in Greentown, PA. The strips of shells indicate the presence of chipmunks and squirrels, which typically leave middens out in the open, atop rocks, stumps and stone walls...
Mindful of middens
The season for mittens—and for middens—is upon us. A good way to ward off the winter blues is to dress for the weather and opt outside to see which animals are out and about as they … more
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Oh the weather outside is… not so frightful.
Snowy prayers
When you pray for weather of any kind, it’s always important to understand you aren’t the only one praying for what might come from the sky.  I might need rain for my crops, but … more
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Red-bellied woodpeckers are year-round residents of the region and are usually seen pecking on trees, especially dead trees, as they search for grubs or other insects. This species is bigger than the commonly seen downy woodpecker, but smaller than a pileated woodpecker. This is a male given that it has a larger red patch on its head...
The 2024 Great Backyard Bird Count
A significant birding event is coming up next month, and it is one in which anyone can participate, whether you are a beginning birder or a seasoned expert.  The 2024 Great Backyard Bird … more
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The West Branch of the Croton River, one of the quality trout streams in Putnam County.
The other side of the river
Almost all of the fly fishing stories that I have written for the River Reporter have been about the famous rivers of the Catskill Mountains. While that region is steeped in history and tradition and … more
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“There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it,” writes Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, in “The Hill We Climb,” delivered during the presidential inauguration in 2021.
A wander-ful world
The difference between the words—wander and wonder—is one letter. This thought pebble is rolling around in my mind as we embark on a new year and the opportunities it presents—most … more
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