Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary

Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary is perched on the steep slopes of Bougher Hill with scenic views of the Delaware River. Closed Mondays.
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Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. The 200-acre Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary and Wilderness Trust is perched on the steep slopes of Bougher Hill overlooking the scenic Delaware River. Hiking trails lead visitors through a variety of forest types and meadow areas that are home to abundant wildflowers and wildlife. Mariton is managed by non-profit conservation organization Natural Lands. Learn more at www.natlands.org.

Fun fact: many chrysalises and pupae experience natural autofluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. This me...
08/19/2026

Fun fact: many chrysalises and pupae experience natural autofluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. This means they absorb invisible UV radiation from the sun and naturally emit it back as a visible, ghostly glow. This fluorescence is primarily caused by chitin—the primary structural component of the outer insect cuticle—as well as metabolic cofactors like NADPH and flavins actively working inside the transforming tissue.

📸: Tianna Godsey

Winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) is a native species that blooms in July and August. It is dioecious, with male and female...
08/12/2026

Winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) is a native species that blooms in July and August. It is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Both male and female plants are needed to produce fruit. Flowers provide nectar for native bees. Fertilized female flowers lead to large clusters of edible, sour, red berries which ripen in August. The berries provide a valuable food source for birds. Fall foliage is a rich red, crimson, and scarlet. Winged Sumac provides habitat for birds, bees, and wildlife.

📸: Tianna Godsey

Invasive species spotlight: The mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin)--native to Asia--was introduced to our region by famed...
08/05/2026

Invasive species spotlight: The mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin)--native to Asia--was introduced to our region by famed botanist William Bartram. In fact, Thomas Jefferson obtained some seeds from Bartram and planted them at Monticello. The species outcompetes native vegetation, particularly in disturbed habitat like roadsides and stream banks. A single tree produces thousands of seeds that can remain viable in the soil for many years.

📸: Kate Rash, Taproot Photography

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."~ M...
07/29/2026

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."
~ Maya Angelou

📸: Nikki Bowen

There is a myth that bumblebees "shouldn't be able to fly." The misconception arose in the 1930s when an aerodynamicist ...
07/24/2026

There is a myth that bumblebees "shouldn't be able to fly." The misconception arose in the 1930s when an aerodynamicist mistakenly applied fixed-wing airplane equations to the insects, failing to account for their rapid, twisting wing movements. Instead of simply flapping up and down, bumblebees beat their wings in a fast, figure-eight motion. This rapid movement (up to 240 times per second) creates tiny, low-pressure air vortexes (miniature hurricanes) above their wings that act as a suction, generating enough lift to keep their heavy bodies airborne.

📸: Preston Wilson

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."~ M...
07/22/2026

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."
~ Maya Angelou

📸: Scott Singer

Can you tell the difference between a Viceroy (left) and a Monarch (right) butterfly? Viceroy butterflies have a distinc...
07/17/2026

Can you tell the difference between a Viceroy (left) and a Monarch (right) butterfly? Viceroy butterflies have a distinct black line running horizontally across the lower hind wings, while Monarchs do not. Monarchs are generally larger, with a wingspan of about 3.5 to 4 inches, whereas Viceroys are smaller, typically 2.6 to 3 inches. Monarchs have thicker black veins on their wing patterns.

📸: Bill Moses

“And the turtles, of course...all the turtles are free, as turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.”~ Dr. Seuss, Yer...
07/15/2026

“And the turtles, of course...all the turtles are free, as turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.”
~ Dr. Seuss, Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories

📸: David Brandes

The fritillary butterfly family gets its name from the Latin fritillus, meaning dice box or checkerboard. Hmm...we wonde...
07/08/2026

The fritillary butterfly family gets its name from the Latin fritillus, meaning dice box or checkerboard. Hmm...we wonder why? 😉

📸: David Brandes

This Polygonia Comma butterfly is here to remind you to be a little messy this fall when it comes to your yard and garde...
06/29/2026

This Polygonia Comma butterfly is here to remind you to be a little messy this fall when it comes to your yard and gardens. This species it overwinters as an adult. In autumn, the comma seeks shelter in tree cavities, under loose bark, or in other protected spots, where it enters hibernation. When spring arrives, it’s often one of the first butterflies to emerge, sometimes as early as March in mild weather.

📸: Bill Moses

Address

240 Sunnyside Road
Easton, PA
18042

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