Here is a look around the area near my aunt’s farm in Greenwood Township, Columbia County from the opening weekend of rifle deer season. Sadly, no one had any luck that weekend.
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Almost Home
Some curious cattle on my grandparent’s old farm. Muddy Run runs through the farm. The neighbors have a nice looking eagle carving. My cousin’s house is quite windy, and the flag takes a beating. It has to be replaced often. The pond at this property is relatively new. One of the fanciest dairy farms in the County (no relation). -
Even More Tioga County
Here are some scenes from lovely Tioga County from this past summer. Next week we will be taking a break from northcentral Pennsylvania for a series of locations that a bit farther afield.
Adorable house with barn star and colorful zinnias. 
This pond sits next door. 
Goldenrod looking lovely with the hay. 
A great Veterans and MIA memorial in Tioga. 
Tioga County isn’t just rural beauty. It is also home to a state university. 
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Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Our annual Poconos girls’ weekend occurred in July this year. On short notice, my friend was able to find a great weekly rental at Lake Naomi. I also take this time to do some exploring around the Poconos. I set out to view some lake communities I hadn’t visited before. I will leave the rest of the weekend to your imagination.
The most photogenic was the Emerald Lakes area. 
Boats lined up near a swimming beach. 
A nice private dock in need of a boat. 
This looks like a great family day out. 
A deer came out to say hello. 
The clubhouse beach at Stillwater Lake has seen better days. The waterfowl have taken over. 
Something different: Checking out the shooting range at State Game Lands 127. -
A Lake and a Pond
Prompton State Park and the Varden Conservation Area are located near each other in northeastern Pennsylvania’s Wayne County. Prompton State Park provides boat launching and picnicking facilities for the 290-acre Prompton Lake, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. There are twenty-six miles of hiking trails which surround the lake and a disc golf course.
Morning mists on Prompton Lake …. 
A little disc golf by the lake. 
A view of the substantial dam. 
The west branch of Lackawanna Creek. 
Half mast for Memorial Day. A gift from veterinarian Dr. Mead Shaffer, the 444-acre Varden Conservation Area is in an area that was once a remote section of the state, but which is now beginning to feel pressure from development. The land is conserved as open space with opportunities for low impact recreation and educational use. It is a great place to learn about Pennsylvania’s natural history. There is picnicking by and fishing in the pond. There is also hiking in the two tracts which constitute this conservation area. I visited the Tannery Road Tract.
The lovely pond can be used for fishing. 
Morning mists on an unseasonably cool day. 
Beautiful irises are indicative of the seasonal flora of this area. 
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Once More Into Delaware
April and May are prime times for birding at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. The weather was beautiful on a recent trip. Here are a few photos of what I saw.
This egret had the Beaver Pond to itself. 
Two avocets at cross purposes. 
Looking like a school master with errant pupils – great and snowy egrets. 
A relaxing bask in Finnis Pool. 
A beautiful redbud in bloom. 
Finally, the worst picture of the cutest pied billed grebe ever. -
A Little Piece of Paradise
I made two recent trips to Dixon Meadow Preserve in Montgomery County to see a sora (seen) and a yellow crowned night heron (not seen), This Preserve provides some great bird habitat in the suburbs, especially in connection with the adjacent Erdenheim Farm. With its 14 acres rand boardwalk measuring nearly two-thirds of a mile, the Preserve is a haven for birders, walkers and those who simply enjoy the area’s natural beauty
Purchased by the McCausland family in 2009, Erdenheim farm is home to prize winning Cheviot Sheep, Black Angus cattle, and elegant Morgan Horses. Situated on close to 450 acres, Erdenheim Farm remains one of the last sanctuaries of pastoral life within the greater Philadelphia area.
A view of Dixon Meadow Preserve, 
A stream wanders through the Preserve and under the boardwalk. 
Redbud in bloom. 
Erdenheim Farm Black Angus at twilight. 
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Pennsylvania’s Fruit Basket
Western Adams County, along the slopes of South Mountain, hosts a large number of orchards. I was on my way to Gettysburg from Pine Grove Furnace and happened on this area by chance. It was a nice surprise.
A look down a row of new trees. 
A mature orchard, 
I loved this farm peeking out from behind the pond. I had to visit the Historic Round Barn and Farm Market in Biglerville, PA. The family-owned market has fresh fruits and vegetables, jams, jellies, honey, canned fruits and vegetables, snacks, candy, and gift items. It is well worth a visit if you are near Gettysburg.
A very interesting building and well-maintained. 
A signature painted horse out front. 
Some adorable residents. -
The Harbingers of Spring
Some people identify the American robin with the coming of Spring. For me, it’s the late winter passing of hordes of snow geese through Pennsylvania that foretells of Spring right around the corner. In late February, hundreds of thousands of snow geese can be present at the same time at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. I didn’t make it to Middle Creek this year, opting instead to view geese, along with some other rarer species, that had been reported at Woods Edge Park in Lancaster County.
You may remember Woods Edge Park as they place I went to view the black-bellied whistling duck. This time around, a pink-footed goose, Ross’s goose, cackling goose and Virginia rail had been reported at the pond in the park. These are all species I had never seen before. By the time I arrived the next Saturday, large numbers of snow geese were present. I was able to see the Ross’s goose and the cackling goose, but not the pink-footed or the rail. Still, two “lifers” in one day is pretty good.
There was a steady stream of birders through the park that day. None that I spoke to had success spotting the rare pink-footed goose. I did learn how to identify two other species of goose and something new about the snow goose.
This is a Ross’s goose. Note how it looks like a small snow goose with a shorter bill. 
Here’s a cackling goose. This one looks like a smaller Canada goose with shorter neck and bill. 
Some snow geese – the “blue morph” snow goose is in front. Behind is an adult white snow goose and a juvenile in the rear. I did not realize the blue morph existed. 
Are you talking about me? 
Lots ‘o geese. 
A partial view of the throng. A nice, short and sweet day out. This location seems pretty productive for birding despite its small size. I will probably be back again at some point.
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The Remains of Ardrossan Farms
Adrossan Farms and the Ardrossan Estate were once part of a 800 plus acre estate in Radnor Township, Delaware County. The estate was built by banker Robert Leaming Montgomery and features 50 room Georgian revival mansion designed by architect Horace Trombauer in 1911. Parts of Ardrossan have been subdivided over the years, and now the bulk of the estate is in the process of succumbing to this fate. The play and film The Philadelphia Story was inspired by the stories of the Montgomerys.
Part of the estate was, and still is for now, a working farm with cattle and hay and corn fields. The farm was also was set this section of Radnor Township apart from surrounding suburbia. It made travel along Darby Paoli Road a treat, rather than a chore.
One of the barns on the property. 
Still harvesting hay. 
“Progress” 
Afternoon light on harvested hay. 
A woodpile left to dry. 
A pair of redtail hawks enjoys the view. 
A small shed nestled against the woods. 
Very traditional looking farm equipment. 
Corn not yet harvested in November. 
Cattle call along Darby Paoli Road. 
Grazing peacefully. 
Sunset glow on the cattle. 
This is a beautiful little pond. -
The Roaring Creek Trail … by Car
Sunday, October 13 saw the return of the annual Roaring Creek Trail drive through. The drive through is a unique opportunity to drive on the Roaring Creek Trail in the Weiser State Forest. This multi-use trail is normally restricted to vehicle traffic. The drive-through began at 9:00 AM, starting at the Route 42 parking lot gate. The gate was open until 2:00 PM. Traffic was restricted to one-way travel on the 8-mile Roaring Creek Trail and exited at the Route 54 parking lot gate. All vehicles had to exit by 3:00 PM. Passenger vehicles only (cars, pick-up trucks, SUVs, passenger vans, motorcycles) were permitted to enter. Enter the trail in Columbia County and leave in Northumberland County.
Kline’s Reservoir at the Route 42 side of the trail. The Roaring Creek Tract features three large reservoirs currently maintained by Aqua PA. The reservoirs are in a valley surrounded by steep hillsides. The surrounding area is state forest land. Boating is permitted in two of the reservoirs. Fishing is also permitted, and the trail is very popular with hikers and cyclists.
This event was very popular, and traffic proceeded very slowly along the trail, which is actually a very well maintained gravel road. With so much vehicular traffic, it was unlikely you were going to see much wildlife. It was a lovely drive nonetheless. The leaves were probably a week or two short of their best color, due to lingering warm weather in September. There were places along the route to stop for a picnic.
My view for much of the trip. 
A peak at the larger McWilliams Reservoir through the trees. 
A good day for a family fishing trip. 
You could stop along the way for a picnic. There was a pavilion at McWilliams Picnic Area that could be used for a stop. Boat moorings and a boat launch are available here as well. There were also restrooms and parking in this area for the day.
Portage your boat into the McWilliams Reservoir. 
A walk along the lake. 
Smokey the Bear made a very conspicuous appearance. 
Because one photo of a giant inflatable bear isn’t enough. More information about the Roaring Creek Tract is here.
Goodbye to the Roaring Creek Trail.