Herpin' Pensylvania for Easter - Colonel Denning State Park and Waggner's Gap

With the prospect of a cold dreary Easter my family decided to head down south where the weather was warmer and spring was more along the way. The weekend was full of promise and we had a loop planned to visit a whole lot of State Parks and National Forests in Pennsylvania.

Colonel Denning State Park

Our first stop was Colonel Denning State Park near Carlisle, PA. The deciduous oak forest was scattered with witch hazel and tulip trees.

Colonel Denning State Park

Colonel Denning State Park

Colonel Denning State Park

The forest floor was littered with leaves and moss. One of the first critters I spotted was a Tiger Beetle hunting in the dead leaves.

Six-spot Tiger Beetle

The Appalachian area is really well know for its salamander diversity. Colonel Denning State Park is a great place for finding salamanders. Finding this very chunky Red Salamander was definitely a highlight of the trip and a lifer for me.

Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)

Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)

 Eastern Redback Salamanders are common in eastern Canada and the United States. Their color is variable with a slate grey background with lighter flecks. Some have a red stripe on the back while others are a grey "Leadback" colour phase.

Eastern Redback Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus)

Eastern Redback Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus)

Eastern Redback Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus)

 Slimy Salamanders live in moist soil/ leaf litter in deciduous forests. This species isn't found in Ontario, but I have seen them before in southern Illinois. Like Redback Salamanders, this species doesn't use vernal pools to breed and the females will guard the clutch.

Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)

Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)

Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)

In Ontario spring flora hasn't really sprung but the trip down we had pleasant views of Eastern Redbud in full bloom along the edges of woodlots. The under-story 

White Violet (Viola blanda)

Hepaticas are early blooming species that vary from white to light purple in colour. The leaves and stems are hairy and evergreen with three lobes.

Round-leaved Hepatica (Anemone canadensis)

Round-leaved Hepatica (Anemone canadensis)

Round-leaved Hepatica (Anemone canadensis)

Round-leaved Hepatica (Anemone canadensis)

 Rue-anemone is a lovely spring flowering plant. The white flowers site atop a whorl of leaves with rounded teeth.

Rue-anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)

Rue-anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)

Rue-anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)

Rue-anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)

Rue-anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)

Waggner's Gap is close to Colonel Denning State Park. It is a local birding hotspot and in particular a spot for viewing raptor migration. The forest was a mix of oak and cherry trees. The area was rockier than thh trail we had gone on in Colonel Denning State Park and it wasn't as good for salamanders.

Waggner's Gap

Waggner's Gap

Waggner's Gap