Pennsylvania Trip 2021. Day 1: May 21st.

We didn't leave the state in 2020. We're still very wary, but Andrea decided to rent a house in the Pocanos for my birthday and we planned to spend the weekend there looking for critters, which are far more abundant than they are here in Massachusetts. Our previous trips to this area were wonderful; we hitched up with friends and had a great time, but with the last minute planning and the pandemic still among us (despite what some folks think), we decided to play it safe. We only mentioned it to two friends who are more like family (and the son we never wanted was ill all weekend and couldn't make it. Feel better, son.)

We had an easy enough drive there and made it in about 5 1/2 hours. We pulled over a few times to look around but it was super-hot and sticky and the animals we sought were smart enough to not be around. Our first find of the day was outside our lovely house (near Lake Harmony)... this Redback.

We were exhausted from the ride but eager to hit a nearby spot that we're somewhat familiar with. The name of the game is stream salamanders; perfect for such a hot day. We fought our way through a hot field and thick brambles and got to the creek. (We'd noticed some flipped stones in the field... nice work, herpers who don't put shit back.) We were rewarded with some lovely Two-lined Salamanders, Andrea's (not mine) first of the year.

We saw quite a few more, but these guys squiggle away like lightning.

Andrea flipped a bright Redback who looked like he was taking a sand-bath.

Back up to the path, I concentrated on old, damp logs, hoping for one of my two salamander targets, a Slimy or a Red. This wee Ringneck is smaller than either of those sals would have been!

Andrea flicked a bugger off of her finger and it turned out to be a tiny and adorable Redback.

The path was wet and puddle-filled so any rock on it had the potential of being worth a flip. Sure enough, one of them held our first Northern Dusky of the year. All hail FOY Dook!

Andrea had her Wood Frog eyes on... here's a small one that jumped into her line of vision.

Another target we always have here is the Spring Salamander. We hadn't seen one since the day I broke my arm almost two years ago. We were delighted to see this massive one... a good 6 or 7 inches long. A big hot dog.

Another perfect Two-line that sat still for me.

Andrea spotted another Woodie. Two more, in fact, but a large one escaped my eyes and camera. This little guy posed very well, though.

It was hot. The water was cold. We enjoyed getting a bit soggy. The icy water was very refreshing.

The view was as refreshing as that cool, cool water.

On the way back, we enjoyed the verdant beauty and admired the life around us. This Eastern Tiger Swallowtail was taking a drink on the watery path.

And that was our first day, my birthday in fact. We got pizza and garlic knots for dinner and went to bed early in preparation for our big day on Saturday. We were going to meet our friend Bob and he always keeps us on our toes and we really enjoy his company.