Larry A. Smail's Blog

Silvery water spots on milkweed leaf.

This walk wasn’t a planned excursion in any sense. This walk came to be because of an instance that happened in the pre-dawn hours. I guess I should explain. I had Susie out for a nature call when, suddenly and without warning, a severe coughing and choking event overcame me.  These spells are not unheard of in regards to my health, but they are not usually this bad. I actually dropped to the yard and had a burning discomfort to my arms and legs. I am assuming this is because of a lack of oxygen. I have had these sensations before too, but usually after a difficult sneeze.

Catbird

I remember securing Susie’s leash for fear if I passed out she would be wondering towards the road since she is blind. In a couple of minutes the event was over except for a slight burning in my right arm and extreme fatigue. I went to my “man cave” to recoup. To use a saying of my dads; this “knocked the wind out of my sail”!

Ironweed

I laid down and awoke about 7:15 and gave Susie her insulin. I felt weak, but I decided to go for a walk and get some fresh air…hence, Nicholson Run. I parked and forced myself to walk the road  parallel to the small stream. I literally mean that I forced myself for physically I was tired. Eventually, I received a second wind and the walk became more enjoyable.

Joe-Pye

The road is about 3 miles in length, so I am guessing so I walked approximately 6 miles,  give or take. The later summer flowers are in abundance. I found lots of woodland sunflowers blooming with their brilliant yellow petals. Also, the yellow-colored, green-headed coneflower could be viewed. The deep purple of ironweed contrasted the yellows, as well as, the pinkish joe-pye. I have joe-pye at my home reaching over 8 feet in height. As one would expect, the bees and butterflies were prevalent.

  Birds were common today around the flowers. I saw goldfinches; catbirds and various other species. I saw 4 deer in total. One was a doe with fawns.

Nicholson Run isn’t a very big stream. A local sportsman’s club stock trout in it for a youth fishing day. The vegetation is thick along the borders so for most of the walk the stream was unseen. I did, however, notice a few small beaver dams. I had watched beavers on this stream many years ago when the mammal was first making a strong comeback in the area.

green-headed coneflower