#pennypackpark

[jvstinderosa]

Something Fierce

[devineohhsofine-blog]

It's so beautiful, taking the time to be responsible for your local natural lands and neighborhoods is essential for a better tomorrow. I pray that I can continue to do work that connects me to the natural world. I hope everyone can enjoy nature and be a steward in their own way.

[dlihce]

#yoga #socialdistancing #philly #pennypackpark #freeinphiladelphia #free #freeinphilly #northeastphiladelphia https://www.instagram.com/p/CFnHJ2FAhFu/?igshid=xaf99f7xfs5b

[michaelbdillonphotography]

PepperFace in Pennypack #LateGram #PennypackPark #PepperFaceWiggleBottom #ILoveMyDog #TheWoods #Trees #Carvings #Pennypack #PepperFace #DogsRule #HappyPup #Sunshine (at Pennypack Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwdZgjnhJ7N/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=v3nswc3uolat

[philaparkandrec]

Nature Notes: Drama on the Delaware

 By Tony Croasdale, Environmental Education Program Specialist

On December 12, I led a group of home-schooled high school students on a walk at Pennypack on the Delaware, at the southeastern end of Pennypack Park. This area is famous for hosting a bald eagle nest. As we were walking along the river, I spotted an adult bald eagle flying low over the river towards us. The eagle started diving at a gull. 

At first, I assumed the eagle was trying to steal the gull’s fish. It was surprising how nimble the massive eagle was. Suddenly, the eagle grabbed the gull’s head and killed it in midair, briefly splashing it into the river. The eagle flew off with the gull, seemingly unencumbered. I believe the eagle’s catch was a herring gull, which is a large bird. The gull likely weighed a quarter of the eagle’s weight. We were thrilled with this sighting and continued on our walk. 

Our next stop was to see an eastern screech owl roost hole. When we arrived at the owl’s roost, he couldn’t been seen. A minute later, he popped his head out. My father, who had joined us on the walk, directed his scope at the owl. At the same time, I scanned the river with my scope and located the eagle feeding on the gull on a sandbar. 

It was amazing to see the eagle in one scope and the owl in the other. We stopped to at look at the eagle nest on our way out. We didn’t see any birds in the nest, but breeding season is just beginning.

I asked my father to join us on this trip for a special reason. In the 1990s, he was the president of the Friends of Pennypack Park. At that time, an active member of the group, Bob Haines, had noticed that the land at the mouth of creek was park property, but the prison that adjoins the property had annexed the land and restricted public access. 

Friends of Pennypack Park rallied the community to demand access to their public land. The former Fairmount Park Commission got on board, and trails were built in the 2000s. Now Parks & Rec and members of the public have the nicest section of Delaware riverfront, thanks to these efforts.

Pennypack on the Delaware is a lovely place to visit anytime of the year. I recommend going while the eagles are nesting from December through May. This area is also the best place in our region to see great cormorant, the much-larger cousin to the ubiquitous double-crested cormorant.

Bird signs installed at Pennypack on the Delaware.

[andrescarazo]

Sunset at Pennypack Park, #philadelphia #philly #phillygram #pennypackpark (at Pennypack Park Pine Road)

[lindacelestian]

Beautiful reflections from our Sunday hike at Pennypack Park, Pennsylvania #hiking#hikingadventures #hikingwithfriends #pennypackpark #reflections (at Pennypack, Philadelphia)

[smokinglens-blog1]

Yeah just had to do the walk in the park on the coldest day of the year. Pennypack Park. #hike #walk #winter #snow #cold #exercise #photography #photographer #smokinglens #pennypackpark #pennypackcreek (at Pennypack, Philadelphia)