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My frail bird-loving mother has come to nest with me for the time being—that as-yet-undefined span of days we will share as we shelter together away from most human contact in hopes of avoiding … more

By SANDY LONG | 4/1/20

This spotted salamander was under a log not too far from a vernal pond. It is probably waiting for a warm, damp evening to make its way to the pond to breed. I did not disturb this individual, but I estimated it to be close to five inches long.

The unseen salamanders of spring

If you have walked past a small pond within the last few days, chances are you have heard the first wood frogs quacking away as they strive to attract a mate and breed. Soon after, spring peepers … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 3/25/20

Restore your sense of hope by watching for expressions of the natural cycle of life, as evidenced by these egg masses deposited by wood frogs recently in the Upper Delaware River region.

Combatting coronavirus—naturally

Are you overwhelmed with anxiety over the insidious creep of the new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19? Does it seem like everywhere you turn you are being told to wash your hands, practice social … more

By SANDY LONG | 3/18/20

Most bears seen are around 200 pounds, with females topping out at 300-400 pounds and males being much larger. The PA state record for largest bear is 879 pounds. The bear here was seen in the wild in Blooming Grove Township. The weight was estimated between 350 and 400 pounds.

The return of the bears

There are not too many people thinking about bears at the moment as they have been largely absent over the course of the winter. The gestating females in their dens gave birth to cubs during the … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 3/11/20

Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s Amanda Subjin and Hawley, PA business owner Grant Genzlinger discuss the history of the recently completed Hawley Trail in preparation for a guided walk on Saturday, April 18. Visit www.bit.ly/hawleyearthweek to learn more.

Trail talk

Have you heard about the new trail initiatives transpiring in Wayne County, PA? Would you enjoy the opportunity to trek from Honesdale to Hawley by land or by water? Considerable progress has been … more

By SANDY LONG | 3/4/20

Hooded mergansers are named for the feather ridge at the crown of the head that can be raised, making its head look bigger than it actually is. Like the common merganser, this species is also a diving duck that feeds on small fish. This male shows black and white plumage that is very distinctive. Its yellow eyes put it up in the top five in the “Duck Beauty Contest.”

Winter has been just ducky

This probably happens to most of us in the outdoors at some time or another: We rig our lines for largemouth bass and end up hooking into a musky. Maybe we go looking for a peregrine falcon that has … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 2/26/20

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

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past year.
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