Tag Archives: ecology

In Praise of Hemlock

Posted on November 19, 2021 by rivertoprambles

Indeed, the most precious things of life are often close at hand, obtained with little cost, and we give our thanks for what sustains us. A short walk from my home is a grove of hemlock trees. I often enter … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged birds, ecology, forests, hemlocks, John Burroughs, nature, poetry, preservation, solitude, spirituality, woolly adelgid, writing | 34 Comments

Transitions

Posted on July 17, 2020 by rivertoprambles

Anticipating an August road trip out West, I recalled several earlier trips taken with my wife and kids– one trip just two years ago, and others, oh, way back… Perhaps the highlight of one westward transition occurred as we stopped … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ecology, exploring, family, Firehole, fishing, Gardner River, Greys River, nature, road trips, Sand & Sage, transitions, travel, Walt Franklin, writing, Yellowstone | 18 Comments

Taking Flight

Posted on February 25, 2020 by rivertoprambles

Many of you who have followed this blog for a while understand that I seldom honk my horn, attempting to promote the books I write. Occasionally, though, a new work is issued and I’m justly proud to release it like … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Rivertop Rambles", birds, books, ecology, fly-fishing, natural history, nature, poetry, small press, Walt Franklin, Wings Over Water, Wood Thrush Books, writing | 12 Comments

Reaching Out

Posted on January 3, 2020 by rivertoprambles

1. In spring the surface of an orchard pond is broken into circles as the trout begin to feed. It’s like a fantasy gifted by the kingbird in its flight– away to the pear tree’s pearly blossoms. In summer the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged conservation, ecology, natural energy, nature, New Year, poetry, reaching out, red fox, seasons, spirits of place, Walt Franklin, white ash, writing | 21 Comments

Ephemera: the Eco-Myths

Posted on June 16, 2019 by rivertoprambles

1/ From mayfly egg to molting nymph, from deep channel into warming shallows, from the underwater shuck into floating dun’s regalia– the two-tailed fly… A few escape the charge of hungry trout, ascend into willows for the garb of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ecology, fishing, Green-Ass McGee, Kettle Creek, mayflies, myths, nature, Nemeton, poetry, Sononjoh, Walt Franklin, writing | 12 Comments

No Run-of-the-Mill Run

Posted on May 21, 2019 by rivertoprambles

I’d passed the Pine Creek tributary a thousand times, hardly ever noticing its alder-bank flow beneath Route 6. I seldom considered its steep descent along the edge of state forest land until I learned it was a PA Class A … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ecology, environment, fly-fishing, Gougers, hiking, lost terrain, Mill Run, Pine Creek, poetics, psychology, wild, wild trout | 6 Comments

Panther Run

Posted on May 16, 2019 by rivertoprambles

I’ll call the small stream “Panther Run.” This Pine Creek tributary, once renowned for mountain lion sightings, is now a freestone tumbler that’s unwilling to reveal its actual moniker. I fished the run initially on a sparkling day in May, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged brook trout, common names, ecology, environmental defense, fly-fishing, myth, nature, Panther Run, Pine Creek, poetry, small streams, trout lily, wildflowers, writing | 15 Comments

The High Bridge

Posted on October 30, 2017 by rivertoprambles

The high bridge that I have in mind is not some railroad or passageway on a trestle over an impressive gorge or canyon. It’s a simple concrete bridge that takes a forest road in northern Pennsylvania over a favorite trout … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bridge, Butternut Hollow, ecology, fly-fishing, habitat, headwaters, native trout, Pennsylvania, photography, small streams, stream remediation, wild trout, writing | 16 Comments

Two of America’s Finest

Posted on July 7, 2015 by rivertoprambles

En route to Warrenton, Virginia for several days, I stopped to fly-fish a couple of America’s finest trout streams. We were heading south to help celebrate Independence Day and the recent engagement of son and future daughter-in-law. With an extra … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged best trout streams, Big Spring Creek, birding, Carolina wren, celebration, ecology, Ed Shenck, fly-fish, Independence, Letort Cricket, LeTort Spring Run, limestone creeks, marriage, most difficult streams, nature, springs, the Ditch, trout, wild, wild trout | 30 Comments

A Pine Creek Ramble

Posted on February 3, 2015 by rivertoprambles

“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it.” –John Burroughs The winter air in the Pine Creek Natural … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged canyon, canyon fishing, ecology, Ice Age, Iroquois, John Burroughs, longest creek, natural area, nature, Pine Creek Gorge, Rail Trail, railroad, river otter, trail bikes, tributaries | 8 Comments