Friday, April 2, 2021

Palmyra Cove Nature Park, NJ

ABOUT THE PARK: 
Palmyra Cove Nature Park - Palmyra Cove 
NO DOGS ALLOWED 
 
DIRECTIONS: 
GPS Coordinates 40.008089, -75.041618
Palmyra Cove Parking Lot

TRAIL MAP: 
Cove Trail Map - Palmyra Cove

HIKE DISTANCE:  6.8 miles
 
THE HIKE: 
Brodie spent the morning at the vet clinic getting a dental and having a molar with exposed roots extracted so I took advantage of the opportunity to do a hike where dogs are not allowed.
Heading from the parking lot over to a walkway ...
... with a view of the Tacony Palmyra Bridge.
This is where the River Trail starts but it is only accessible during low tide and it was not low tide.  Also, the sand is very soft so it would make difficult walking.
On to the Cove Trail.
The Cove Trail starts out as a wide crushed gravel road.
There are side trails to the right for views of the Delaware River.
That was a bald eagle but it's the only shot I was able to get.
Philadelphia Skyline
The trail narrows and becomes packed sand.
Betsy Ross Bridge in the distance.  The trail also becomes very rocky at times.
There are several boardwalks to overlooks along the way, this one on the left the Tidal Cove.
Back on the Cove Trail with the Tidal Cove on the left and the Delaware River on the right.
Sadly, there is a ton of litter, most of it having washed up from the Delaware River.
The start of the long boardwalk and bridge.
Looking aback at the Tidal Cove.
Pennsauken Creek
After the last overlook at Pennsauken Creek, the trail must not be used much as there are several blowdowns but I was able to get through or around all of them.
Beyond the downed trees there are benches but it was way too cold and windy to sit.  After temps being near 70, wind chill in the 20's is brutal!
The Cove Trail ends at private property but there was no sign and I kept following a trail until I checked and saw I had way passed the end of the legal trail so I headed back.
Balloon #8 of the year.  That did not wash up, it blew in.
At this intersection I turned right on the Perimeter Trail.
In Beaver Pond I zoomed in for a picture on the other side and got two Canada geese and a tree swallow.  The swallows were darting around everywhere.
Beaver Pond
They winter in Florida and are already back here and nesting.
Both parents of the to be youngsters.
I wanted to go that way but sleeping Canada geese were blocking the way.  There are plenty of trails so I took the Eastern Cottonwood Trail instead.
The wildlife is so tame here.  Nobody runs away.  They just look and continue on with what they were doing.
The Red Winged Blackbird Trail around the Dredge Retention Basin with the lower loop to the right.
These geese were in motion so I walked slowly behind them.  They took the left fork and I wanted the right fork so all was well and nobody was disturbed.
Bullfrog Pond
Back at the parking lot.
On the drive out I had to stop for three turkeys dining in the road.  They did not move.  I went around.
At the vet's office for curbside pickup of Brodie.
All he did was cry from the time he came out of anesthesia and all the way home except when Bruno Mars' new song "Leave the Door Open" came on the radio.  It was the only time he stopped crying.
At home still crying incessantly with no Bruno Mars.
Quiet and asleep with Bruno Mars on repeat.