Yes, the temperatures never came out of the thirties this morning while I was fishing. Yes, the winds were brisk, but I enjoyed some trout fishing regardless.
The fishing was unsuccessful at first, and I was wondering what had happened. Was it this cold front moving through? I moved along a short distance trying different areas when it happened…a HIT! I would catch and release five or six Rainbow Trout. I lost two and missed one. Around ten o’clock my hands were becoming very cold, and I decided to call it a day.
I was out early to listen for gobbling activity. I wasn’t disappointed for I heard two. However, they were on the recently lost land. This lost land was due to a hunting lease which began last spring. Their gobbling was over by 6:25. Last spring, on the first morning, I called a longbeard and three jakes into the huntable land, but failed to get a shot due to underbrush and/or difficulty getting the longbearded bird away from the other three.
I walked about on the land I was planning to hunt and would see four gobblers and a hen.
Seeing this bedded doe was a reminder of fawning season.
I would see lots of squirrels while tramping around along with about six deer sightings including the bedded doe in the above photo. I would see a few more turkeys while traveling back roads while heading home.
I stopped and visited the landowner and later, her son. We have become good friends over the many years.
Where hickory nuts go to die.A field of Leeks. (Ramps)A hen turkey in the field.
Laurie found out about this nature park and suggested we visit and hike the trails and explore. The park is called the Succop Nature Park and is located south of Butler, Pennsylvania.
We noticed a lot of children standing around in preparation for some guided tour. We had forgotten about this day being the annual Earth Day. We went in the opposite direction on a hike. We quickly learned of what lots of rain can do… create muddy areas. This fact would dampen the hiking for we continued but via different routes looking for dry trails.
The walking would bring us along two ponds. Here we would see bluegills, large koi fish, Wood Ducks and turtles. I saw some deer and squirrels, as well, but obviously not on the ponds…haha.
Lots of birch trees in the area.
The park, although small in acres, has a hundred-and seventy-year-old historic mansion on it. The site is used for events, such as weddings. The park is owned by the Audobon Society of Western Pennsylvania. Their web site is: http://www.aswp.org
As our twenty-seventh wedding anniversary was approaching, Laurie began to look for some things of interest for the two of us to do once the day arrived. One possible visit that interested her was a potential stop at the Maridon Museum in Butler.
I did a search for details and with a nice April 22 day some plans were placed. Another area we visited is a nature park. This site will be on a separate entry.
This laughing Buddha was carved out of a solid piece of Rosewood.
This museum became reality once a woman named, Mrs. Phillips decided she needed a place to house her collectables. The museum was born. Mrs. Phillips had been an ardent collector of Asian art and sculptures. The museum is now home for her many forms of Oriental arts.
Jade and ivory sculptures were abundant within the museum walls. the craftsmanship was unbelievable to behold. Intricate detail work is always present to see. Some of the art was very, very old from various Chinese Dynasties and other works were more recent, but all were exceptional.
Other arts consisted of figurines out of porcelain. There were many on display.
Art and the required needs for creating the art were on display. These people were known as scholars and the art on display was of the Chinese “scholarly” traditions. These people would, also, excel with calligraphy and poetry.
There is only one way for salvation in the dispensation of time we are living in. Paul, the Apostle for the Gentiles, wrote of this gospel of Grace. One example is found in 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4. the apostle wrote to the believers in Corinth:
“MOREOVER BRETHREN, I DECLARE TO YOU THE GOSPEL WHICH I PREACHED UNTO YOU, WHICH YOU HAVE ALSO RECEIVED, AND WHEREIN YE CONTINUE, AND WHEREBY YOU ARE SAVED, IF YE KEEP IN MEMORY, AFTER WHAT MANNER I PREACHED TO YOU, EXCEPT YE HAVE BELIEVED IN VAIN. FOR FIRST OF ALL, I DELIEVERED UNTO YOU THAT WHICH I RECEIVED, HOW THAT CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, AND THAT HE WAS BURIED AND THAT HE AROSE THE THIRD DAY, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES.”
In simple terms, one has to believe in faith that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and on the third day rose again. This is the gospel of salvation.
The apostle wrote in Galatians 1: 12 he had received this Grace message from the revelation of Jesus Christ…or the Risen Christ. This change in direction towards Paul dispensation occurred because the nation of Israel had rejected Christ again through the murder of the Jewish, law-keeping, yet believer, Stephen.
Also see, Romans 10: 9-10.
Thanks to my friend, Dana Gould for taking my ink image above and adding the neon glow to enhance.
I have been out on hiking excursions as much as possible. I find with retirement I seem to have a lot going on. Here are some photos from these adventures.
Golden-crowned Kinglet.
These little birds can be difficult to catch in photos. they continually dart back and forth. Occasionally one gets the shot in the millisecond prior to the bird’s movement.
Turkey VultureChestnut burrDevil’s Walking Stick or Hercules Club
This tree has a covering of very sharp thorns covering the trunk thus the common names. If you ever reach for one without recognizing it be prepared for some intense pain. Birds love the purple autumn berries, as do the Black Bear.
Early spring greening!
This bottom photo requires some explanation. All the gray hues in the background is the water. This limb you are viewing is actually a refection on the water. The image is weird to observe until you know what had happened. The limb has broken off the main branch and is hanging over the water by a length of monofilament fishing line thus allowing for an eerie looking reflection.
The morning was to be a nice one and I left early to try my hand with some trout fishing. (Later rain came but I had already quit fishing.) The stream was colored but not muddy and fast, but not overly rapid. Recent rains have been keeping the waters moving. The area I stopped initially showed much evidence of others at the stream’s edge. My attempts failed to catch any trout. Fishing pressure appeared hard everywhere I checked.
I moved to another area and found lots of evidence of fishing pressure including tents and such. I never had a hit in the two hours I fished so exploration was a must. I hadn’t traveled far when I saw a good on a small island rise up. Her nest was obvious, and I walked to the site for some photos. Ma and Pa Goose were very vocal about my presence. I continued upstream for a bit, and they believed their luring me away had been successful.
Although I failed to snag onto any trout, I definitely enjoyed my time out. I saw some deer, six turkeys and lots of squirrels.
Larry A. Smail's Blog 