Larry A. Smail's Blog

  My good friend, Dana Gould, contacted me to participate in a walk to search out various mushrooms, and fungi. The walk would, also, be joined with Pastor Bob Ryver. Bob has a lot of knowledge with various mushrooms found in south western Pennsylvania.  The walk would be to see something special, too. Dana wanted to show me a rock wall meandering through the woods.

We all met up in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for breakfast prior to heading out for our adventure.

Eagles

We stopped at a known eagle nest to check on the inhabitants first. We could watch an immature eagle feasting while an adult perched alongside. I had taken photos of the adult birds earlier this year before nesting.

The excursion began, as we passed the remnants of an old stone foundation from long ago. A short walk along a field, and the sight of the stone wall began. We explored along this stone wall, admiring the beauty of early unknown populace.  Rocks were purposely placed, and interwoven together to make for an attractive wall. Questions continually came to light as we pondered the reasoning for such intense , and time consuming efforts. This wall was averaging from about forty inches across to over ten feet in places. Some places found the height to be around six feet. Why? Was this a property line marking? The length is approximately a half mile or more.

We were standing along the wall when a doe with her fawn were viewed running hastily across a soybean field. I managed to get a number of photos. I have included a few here.   

We walked the woods in the area and discovered the dry conditions have not produced many mushrooms as of date. We found a few here, and there, but few would be the best description on this jaunt.

We saw six turkeys during our travels, two small-racked bucks, some does, and a few squirrels.

Scarlet Tanager

Black Cohosh

We had an enjoyable time together discussing everything from mushrooms; turkeys, and deer hunting, problems occurring in America, and many aspects from a spiritual side of life. Thanks Dana for the invite, and thanks Pastor Bob Ryver for your kindness, and newly found friendship!