The Giving Pond

About two weeks ago on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, I went for a couple hikes at The Giving Pond not far from the Uhlerstown, Pennsylvania/Frenchtown, New Jersey bridge that crosses the Delaware River. It was a beautiful warm sunny day with bright blue skies much of the time. The Giving Pond was at one time a stone quarry but was converted into a park. Below are some photos from those two hikes.

One section of The Giving Pond
Notice the bluffs in the upper right background

A swamp marigold blossom

A more direct view of the bluffs and tree line across the pond

Some beautiful birds

Willow trees starting to leaf out

 Another view of The Giving Pond

 I love the reflection of the Canadian Goose in the pond

 A great place to watch the skies, too

There are at least four logs with rows of turtles in this picture, maybe more.

A beautiful robin

A Walk at Lenape Park - Signs of Spring and More

Tuesday, a week ago on January 31, my wife and I took a hike at Lenape Park in Perkasie, Bucks County, PA. It was a beautiful evening. Among other things we were surprised by some signs of Spring. They are included in the latter part of the sights highlighted below.

 A section of the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek
with some ducks in the foreground swimming towards the geese in the background

 More Ducks

 More geese

 A crested duck

 Crocus blooming

 A view from a different angle

 Daffadils six inches plus high

 A marsh marigold blooming

 A pair of mallards
I like the design in the water

A wildflower with buds and blossoms already gone to seed

Cold Weather Hike at Nockamixon State Park

This past Wednesday the fourth I went on a cold weather hike at Nockamixon State Park on the Quakertown, Bucks County, PA side. The temperatures that morning had hit a low of at least 9 degrees Fahrenheit and never went above freezing that day. But there was beauty to be seen and I was feeling blessed by nature that morning. Below are some scenes from my experience that day.

Fungi fascinates me and in winter time even more so.

Large birds flying in the distance

Conifers

Ice on a portion of Lake Nockamixon

A water puddle frozen - beautiful patterns

Cones and needles on the forest floor

Moss - one of the rare greens of winter

Blackened berries - they used to be red

Part of the lake shore line

Icicles hanging from a fallen tree

Cardinals in the thickets

Hiking at Green Lane Reservoir

On Thursday, December 1, I spent some time hiking at Green Lane Reservoir near Green Lane and Red Hill, Montgomery County, PA. It was a windy, colder day but wonderful to be outdoors. Below are a few sights from my time there.

Enjoying Nature Close to Home

On Wednesday, November 30, I decided to take a short walk to enjoy nature close to home. It was a beautiful sunny morning but invigoratingly cool. Below are some of the highlights from that walk.

 Anything other than brown leaves are a scarcity
but I found a little bit of color here.

 The over-abundant Canadian Geese - still beautiful

 A robin in a tree with berries

The robin up close - I think it is cold

An empty, deserted nest - its time has gone

A Hike at the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy

Back on the afternoon of November 3, I went for a hike on the grounds of the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy near Schwenksville, Montgomery County, PA. It was another beautiful, fall day. Below are some photos from the afternoon.