Ticks and Mosquitoes Will Rule The Earth If Groundhogs Don’t See Their Shadows On Groundhog Day.

Found along the Delaware Riverbed during low tide at Lardner’s Point in Philadelphia, what does the center rock in the above photo make you think of first: the Great Pyramid of Giza perhaps? While taking this photo, I wondered where it came from, and why was it shaped like that? Bricks are scattered about as well, making me think the remains were part of a structure once there.

Local history tells me Lardner’s Point, located in the Tacony section of the city, was named after Lynford Lardner, a colonial official and land agent who arrived at the New World in 1740. He had connections to the Penn family, and built his house here in 1760, called “Tacony Place,” or “Somerset.”

Five generations of Lardners lived there until the late-nineteenth century, when the abode was demolished for the K&T Railroad to pass through. I’m assuming the pyramid rock and bricks originated from the river wall seen in the following representation of the old homestead.

I didn’t try to move it, not wanting to step in the mud. Probably the rock is sunken down pretty deeply and is actually cube-shaped rather than pyramidal. My first thought, though, upon seeing the object was to absolutely not make a seat out of it.

Tacony-Palmyra Bridge

Lardner’s Point is one of my favorite photographic haunts, where one can get iconic shots of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, which crosses the Delaware River. Prior to its construction, ferryboats took vehicles and people across the river to Palmyra, N.J., and back.

Here’s a little history about the bridge. Signs are courtesy of the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department; and the Delaware River City Corporation, who are now called “Riverfront North Partnership.”

A nesting pair of peregrine falcons live on top of the bridge. They haven’t been hanging around much there lately. Workers have been refurbishing the span for over a year now. They’ve been painting it for the past several months, having started on the Philadelphia side, and finishing up on the Palmyra approach. By the time they’re done, the paint on the Philly side will be rusting through; and the painters will have to start over again. I’m not saying the workmen are milking this job, but it sure looks that way to me.

The following photo shows the falcons’ nest box, which should be active soon, I hope. Note the camera pointed down into it, which sends video to the Palmyra Cove Nature Center for observation, right below the N.J. side of the bridge.

Peregrine Falcons’ Nest Box

The last time I saw one of the raptors was on January 2, 2020, when the female flew over and landed on one of the residual railroad towers that carried the power lines for the electric trains.

Circuit Trail at Lardner’s Point

I think she wanted to wish me a happy new year.

Tacony-Palmyra Bridge’s Female Peregrine Falcon

Tomorrow’s Ground Hog Day. I checked the weather for Punxsutawney, Pa., where the official-rodent prognosticator for the end of winter lives. As noted in last week’s journal entry, Phil just has to cast a shadow for six more weeks of Winter to be forecast, even though it’s been an exceptionally mild one in these parts with virtually no snow.

Not that I’m complaining, but ticks and mosquitoes will be terrorizing us if a deep freeze doesn’t occur this winter to kill them off beforehand. Anyhow, looks like no shadow for Punxsutawney Phil tomorrow, if the Yahoo forecast holds true:

The Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle wakes Phil up at daybreak, for which the above graphic predicts clouds and snow at that time and for the rest of the day. However, the weather in New York City, where Staten Island Chuck lives and is the more prolific prognosticator with regards to accuracy, shows a chance for a shadow:

Then there’s Sarobia Sam, and our forecast calls for a clear sky around the time the lazy critter awakens, so who knows?

We’ll see at daybreak; although, this night owl will be fast asleep then. Thanks for stopping by and for your continued support.

Postscript on February 2, 2020, at 1:11 p.m.

It was a spit decision. Milltown Mel from N.J. caused the tie. So maybe at least the ticks and mosquitoes won’t be so bad around here come spring and summer.