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Writer's pictureFriends of R. B. Winter State Park

On Sunday and Monday night, more than 100 campers and visitors joined Park Staff and the Friends of R. B. Winter State Park to observe the peak of the annual Perseid Meteor Shower. Partic



ipants were able to observe around a dozen or so meteors each night, with a couple of really spectacular ones eliciting gasps of "oohs" and "aahs" from the crowd as they streaked across the night sky! Though it couldn't be seen by the naked eye, the Northern Lights even made an appearance over Sand Mountain, as seen in these long-exposure images taken by the Friends!



The northern lights over the beach at R. B. Winter State Park
The Northern Lights in the sky above Sand Mountain in this twenty-second long exposure taken by the Friends of R. B. Winter State Park!
A meteor flyind across the night sky above Halfway Lake at R. B. Winter State Park.
A meteor streaking across sky above the beach in this twenty five-second long exposure taken by the Friends of R. B. Winter State Park!

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Writer's pictureFriends of R. B. Winter State Park

On today’s edition of #RBWinterWildlifeWednesday, we take a look at the tallest bird found at R. B. Winter State Park – the Great Blue Heron!


Great Blue Herons are a very recognizable species with distinctive slate-blue feathers, a long neck, and a dagger-like yellow bill. They stand approximately four feet tall and have a wingspan that can reach up to seven feet in adult birds. Solitary hunters, Great Blue Herons often stand perfectly still for long periods or wade slowly in shallow water, waiting for the right moment to strike at prey.


At R. B. Winter State Park, they can be seen hunting in the shallows of Halfway Lake, often keeping to quieter sections such as the forested eastern shore. When there are fewer visitors at the park, especially in the evening before sunset, they can be spotted near the beach or the fishing area on the south shore of the lake. Great Blue Herons can also be found hunting in the wetlands around the park, as well as along Rapid Run. Elsewhere in Pennsylvania, it is common to see these elegant hunters wading along the banks of lakes, small ponds, streams, and rivers.


Their diet primarily consists of fish, but they are opportunistic feeders and will also eat amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, insects, and even other birds when the opportunity arises. Great Blue Heron eggs and juvenile birds are vulnerable to predators such as raccoons, crows, black bears, and red-tailed hawks. However, due to their large size and sharp, dagger-like bills, adult Great Blue Herons have few natural predators, though bald and golden eagles will occasionally attempt to prey on adult herons.


If you joined us for the meteor watches at the park earlier this week, you might have caught a glimpse of two Great Blue Herons around the lake. The next time you visit R. B. Winter State Park, be sure to take a moment to watch for these elegant hunters in their natural habitat.

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Writer's pictureFriends of R. B. Winter State Park

On today’s edition of #RBWinterWildlifeWednesday, we take a look at one of the most unique amphibians found in R. B. Winter State Park - the Eastern Long-tailed Salamander!





Known for their colorful, slender bodies and exceptionally long tails, Eastern Long-tailed Salamanders are a native Pennsylvania species found not only in R. B. Winter State Park but throughout much of the Appalachian Mountains. They typically grow to be approximately 8 inches long, with their tails accounting for nearly two-thirds of their length. The coloring of Eastern Long-tailed Salamanders can range from bright yellow to various shades of oranges and reds, with a series of black dots and dashes running down the length of their back and tail.


Eastern Long-tailed Salamanders are found in streams, springs, caves, and ponds, or nearby under rocks, fallen trees, and other natural or artificial debris near water. On rainy nights, they can often be found on roadways that are along streams, lakeshores, vernal pools, or other bodies of water. You’ll often find them around bridges over streams or near where culverts or drainpipes are running under roads. During these periods of rain, they can often be found on the forest floor, using the wet weather to migrate or to hunt for various insects and other invertebrates.


Fun fact: Eastern Long-tailed Salamanders can detach their tails to escape from predators, a process known as autotomy! Their tails will eventually regrow, although they may be shorter or differently shaped.

As the remnants of Hurricane Debby move through the mountains of Central Pennsylvania this week, keep an eye out for these colorful salamanders, as well as other species of amphibians, as they move around the environment in the rain!

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