Posted in My Art on August 31, 2016| Leave a Comment »
I began this painting of two chipmunks last May. I would be out, and about, the woodlands hunting spring gobblers, but I was looking for inspiration for the art. I spent much time rough sketching stumps, grape vines, saplings, and ferns. At some point I gathered my sketches, and thoughts to come up with the layout for the painting shown here. I began painting, and finished the art up in later June. Hope you all enjoy the art!
Chipmunks In May
Posted in Misc. Nature, Wildlife on August 27, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Buttonbush going to seed.
This past week I had a mishap with my old camera. I can not put a memory card into the proper place anymore. If I try to force the card I find difficulty removing it. What to do? I know …get a new camera which arrived yesterday, August 26. 
Early this morning I took this new camera for a walk to get familiar with it, and learn more of the capabilities. I was walking a trail when I spotted black among the grasses. My immediate thought was a darkened stump. My second thought was a turkey soaked from the dew. Suddenly, the dark mass moved, and I realized I was witnessing a head of a black bear.
This bear began to walk only to be followed by a larger bear. The two bear were about 35 yards ahead of me. Needless to say I began taking photos! The two walked around a bend, and I followed! In short order I saw them again higher, and to my left. I backtracked hoping to catch sight of them on the back side of this hill.
WOW! The one bear showed up crossing twenty-seven steps from me. I was stunned, and the swiftness of these seconds did not allow for a photo! This time the bear bolted, and I could hear it moving down over the hill. I circled around failing to see either bear again.
As I tried to catch the bear I did see a doe , and two fawns. 
Posted in Misc. Nature, Wildflowers on August 20, 2016| 2 Comments »
Friday, August 19, found some slightly cooler early morning conditions. I felt a need to do some hiking, and photography. I debated on hiking or fishing. I grabbed some supplies in my shoulder bag and headed to familiar areas. I was going to hike the lower portion of Cherry Run to Cochran’s Mill at Crooked Creek. I hoped to see some bear. I traveled the Garrett’s Run Road to arrive for my walk and enjoyed seeing the beautiful hills of Pennsylvania along this route from my youth. 
Unfortunately, this route took me past an old friend’s home. He had passed away recently. I still miss our conversations, and visits. Randy always enjoyed my photos and woodland adventures on this site.
Jerusalem Artichoke
Indian Pipe
I parked at a site where the two branches of Cherry Run merge before continuing south to Crooked Creek.
Cherry Run
I saw over fifteen different deer throughout the morning. The birdlife wasn’t very vocal this day. However, I heard the squawks of the Great Blue heron. I saw several of these birds. 
With the rains we had recently the drought conditions have ceased. The creek was slightly colored, but the waters were still low.
Lobelia
The wildflower season is winding down since September is just ahead. The Green-headed Coneflower was a 
common yellow wildflower along the bottomlands. Asters are blooming, too. The deep purple Ironweed, and Joepye could be found growing about the creek, as well.
The mushrooms are finally shooting up throughout. Some friends and I went walking recently during the dry times. We found very few. Now, they are growing all over. I wished I knew them better for confidence in eating. I know several species, well enough, to eat.
Millipede
At one point during the walk, I heard a loud splash. I hoped for bear, but I could see the familiar white tail going up the hill. 
later, I stopped to visit the landowner at one of my hunting spots. We had a nice chat.
Posted in Butterflies and Insects, Wildflowers, Wildlife on August 10, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Cardinal Flower
As August creeps along the wildflowers will, soon, be winding down their annual cycle, once again. As I was walking along today, I was thinking as to how the blooming is timed so precise. I would imagine the blooming would fall within a two weeks margin every year.
Song Sparrow
Bumblebee on Swamp Smartweed
Pickerelweed
“Skippers” on Purple Loosestrife
Today, I walked along the Allegheny River seeking flowers, and anything else worth photographing. I wasn’t disappointed. The one specie I purposely ventured out in the heat for was the Cardinal Flower. This flower’s scarlet color is about a deep a red one can find. Today, reached 90 degrees. However, the river provided a course for a breeze, albeit a warm breeze.
Butterflies were very abundant this day. they darted about everywhere the flowers were blooming. Interestingly, there were a number of Longnose Gars in the shallows. I guess I could safely say I saw, at least, ten of the needle-teethed fish enjoying the sun. Getting photos wasn’t easy due to the breeze stirring up the surface water.
Longnose gars
Posted in Misc. Nature on August 10, 2016| 2 Comments »
I have been doing some limited walking…honest, I have! My jaunts have been shorter than normal in many cases due to my wife’s recent back surgery on July 18th. She is slowly improving, but I have been busy as chauffer, house cleaner upper, and other things, as well. Also, I have been doping some music as per a recent blog entry.
I spent some time along the Allegheny River recently. I had a great couple of hours fishing. I caught five Smallmouth Bass, and a Channel Catfish. Three of the bass were from fourteen to seventeen inches in length. The catfish was around eighteen inches. I had some great fights with light tackle.
I walked around last weekend along a pond chocked with water lilies. Many dragonflies were darting around enjoying the warm, no hot, sun!
Posted in Music on August 8, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Old friend, Davy Whitmire and myself acting up!
I do not wish to play full time in a band anymore. I went through that stage a long time ago. Granted, I miss the level of professionalism a band can obtain with sincere practice, but the free-lancing style can be fun, too.
Danna Vernon; Ron Stiffler; Rick Staugh and me
That is what I do today. I have played recently as much as five times in a week for nursing homes, and or churches. That is a little more than I care to do, and playing that often isn’t the norm.
Last Saturday, August , I drifted south near New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, to see if I could get any playtime at the Hill Lake Jamboree. I ended up playing with some friends in a put together band. This group played traditional country music, some western swing, and gospel music.
Look how serious!
We all had a great time. The music seemed to flow rather well. Musicians were: Danna Vernon on vocals; Dick Vernon on steel guitar; Rick Staugh on rhythm guitar and vocals; Ron Stiffler on bass guitar and vocals, and myself on lead guitar.
Dick Vernon
Sunday evening, August 7, I played at the Kiski Unity Free Methodist Church between West Leechburg, and Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. Here, I played lead guitar for Paul Eckenrode and the Country Gospel Band.
Paul Eckenrode and Walt Marr
I felt good as the test song was ran through. The band members really played tight, especially when there was no practice. I received the list of songs a few minutes before we started. Most songs, however, I had heard before.
This audience really enjoyed themselves. They were singing along, and clapping enthusiastically. This made me feel good. The entire band did “very” well!
My mother, Ruth identifying as a man!!!!
Band members were: Pastor Paul Eckenrode on rhythm guitar and most lead vocals; Pastor Walt Marr on drums; Morgan Reese, and Joe Wagner on mandolins; Davy Whitmire on bass guitar; Don Townsend on guitar; Sherry Townsend on piano; their granddaughter Rachel sang harmony; Pastor John P.
Jim Watt, owner of Hill Lake Jamboree
on harmonica, and myself on lead guitar.
Larry A. Smail's Blog 