Posted in Misc. Nature on February 17, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Last week I had a meeting to attend near Elderton, Pennsylvania. I decided to go early to look for wildlife and photo-taking opportunities. I was blessed in both ways. I saw approximately thirty deer feeding at various places. 
The sun was sinking low granting me some beautiful scenery shots.
Posted in Hikes, Misc. Nature on February 14, 2015| Leave a Comment »
I asked Laurie about walking this day and she said yes! The snow had been falling and continued to fall during the Valentine hike. We chose to hike at a local state game lands.
The temperatures were comfortable for walking, however, the winds were increasing as the temperatures slowly heading south to a predicted zero degree night. Wish I had three dogs!
Thistles blanketed in snow.
The approximate three mike venture produced lots of natural beauty. One of my favorite times to hike, or hunt, is during snow storms. I find a special type of solitude during such events. The quiet can be deafening.
We saw various birdlife including a thrush. I believe the little bird may have been a Wood thrush. This bird shouldn’t be local at this time of the year. Early spring??
A Thrush in February???
I, also, heard a male cardinal singing his early mating call today. Another sign for early spring. Actually this happens every year around this time, but the observant nature lover will hear it and smile knowing that before long the wildflowers will be blooming and the turkey season will be here. 
We, also, saw two deer and a flock of turkeys numbering around 22- 25 birds. They were in a stupor state and just standing around. I have witnessed this before. The birds feed and all of a sudden they all stop and stand around and rest.
Posted in Hikes on February 6, 2015| Leave a Comment »
The sign. Letters are straight, but a slight bow makes them look off center.
Yes, it was cold out. Yes, it was windy out. yes, I had a great hike!
I took a notion today to go for a hike despite the wintry weather. I needed to check an old sign at the Cherry Run Gun, Rod and Reel Club. I painted a new sign for the organization and need to see how the old was erected and my needs to erect the new sign.
Cherry Run
That completed, I began a walk along Cherry Run located in Plumcreek Township. That is in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania for my readers from other states.
The creek was beautiful with vibrant greens and blue hues. Ice was everywhere varying in thickness and types. However, the walk in the snow was almost like work! The seven or eight inches of snow had formed a slight crust. I placed my foot down and the snow felt as if it would support my weight some. This was a false sensation for as soon as I lifted my second foot my weight would force foot number one to sink through the crust. This type of walking can be a little tiring. 
Eventually, I came upon a township road and went up a hill to the top. I then walked across fields and wood lands. the circle I made was about four miles in length. 
All told I saw eighteen deer. (Some of this count was while traveling back home.) I saw a gray squirrel, a great-horned owl and lots of small birds. I found gobbler tracks, but I never saw the birds.
Larry A. Smail's Blog 