Larry A. Smail's Blog

Redbank Creek

After a hearty country-style breakfast with my family, along with some visit time, I drove north to Redbank Creek. This watercourse divides Armstrong, and Clarion Counties. The area is rugged, and beautiful.  

I parked near the old long-abandoned Climax Railroad Tunnel to begin some hiking in the area.  The small community of Climax, Pennsylvania is on the Armstrong County side of the creek. A developed trail parallels the creek thus making for some nice hiking.

My first quest was to move to a site of a known eagle nest. I immediately found the nest, and was blessed to see an eagle fly to the nest tree. The Bald eagle offered some photography options.  I took over forty pics of the eagle.    

Eagles are becoming increasingly common  along the watercourses, and dams of my home area. I am thankful for that. As a child the eagle was considered endangered, and I never expected to ever see one in the wild.  The Pennsylvania game Commission, many years ago, began an active trap and transfer program to reintroduce the eagles. Their plan worked very well!                                                 

I walked the rail for a distance often locating myself down over the embankments to take photos of the Redbank Creek. Ice was moving fast down stream. The loud “cracks” of ice giving way was heard at times.                                                                                   

Old Climax Tunnel

I saw one deer. I found coyote tracks and mink tracks.