river talk

An eagle’s-eye view of fall

By SCOTT RANDO

Posted 10/28/26

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river talk

An eagle’s-eye view of fall

RR photos by Scott Rando

This is a mid-October image of the Delaware River, looking upstream toward Lackawaxen. The Roebling Bridge can be seen just before the river disappears at the top left of the image. There are a lot of maple trees along both sides of the river closer to the center frame. Some of the yellow trees could also be species such as black birch, which is one of the earlier trees to change color.

RR photos by Scott Rando

Looking upstream is the Shohola-Barryville Bridge; the morning mist is just clearing out and broken clouds are allowing just enough sun through for decent lighting. In addition to oaks and maples, tree species such as sycamore and locust are found along the Upper Delaware. If you look at the lower left corner of the frame, there are some white pine trees that appear to be turning brown; this is normal for needles that are two to three years old. New needles on the tips of branches will take their place.

RR photos by Scott Rando

This is a shallow pond and wetland in Shohola, PA. At one time, the water level was lower than it is now; there were trees growing in places where there is water now, and a few dead trees, standing in the water, can still be seen. Beavers have been active here for a long time, building dams and lodges. Surrounding the wetland is mixed forest with various species of maple, oak, birch and other hardwood trees. White pines and hemlock are present.

Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2026 11:18 am

By SCOTT RANDO

Around 1971 or so, when I was a sophomore in high school, our earth science class had a unique field trip. We boarded a bus and drove west to Cherry Ridge Airport, near Honesdale, PA. There were a couple of Cessna 182s or something like that, and we boarded, a few students at a time, till everyone got a 15-minute hop in. It was mid-October, and the hills and valleys were a colorful mosaic from the fall foliage. It was a CAVU day (ceiling and visibility unlimited); trees were producing some brilliant colors. Though the aim of the field trip was to study topography and other earth features from the air, everyone got an eyeful of fall dazzling color as a bird does.

When the colder weather of fall arrives, trees and other plants shut down nutrient supplies to their leaves; more chlorophyll (which gives leaves their green color) is breaking down than is produced. Other compounds that are always present in leaves become more visible; carotenoids, which give leaves their yellows and oranges, and anthocyanins, which we see in many species of maples during the fall, are a couple of examples.

An eagle’s-eye view of fall foliage is a collection of all the warm fall colors from horizon to horizon, with rivers, lakes or mountains in between. It is a sight to see and a sight that one never tires of seeing. If you get on some trails such as Lordville or Tusten Mountain, you can hike to some good viewing overlooks, or just drive to places like Hawks Nest on Route 97. You might find eagles or other birds at any of these places migrating or just hanging around year-round; enjoy the season.