Larry A. Smail's Blog

One fall-like morning was June 18, so I made the best of the situation. The area I went to walk around soon became discouraging due to the ATV and dirt bike damage. I continued walking seeing a couple of deer and a raccoon. I spotted the critter moving away from me as I made a semi-circle throughout the woodlands. Surprisingly, my unplanned movement allowed this ‘coon and myself to stop and eyeball each other for a second or two. managed one shot.

However, before the ‘coon encounter I spotted two Turkey Vultures atop of utility poles on a right-of-way. They were holding their wings out to allow any moisture or dew to dry before beginning a day in the wind drifts.

I could see a red-orange color through the underbrush and new immediately I was seeing a deer in its summer coat. The stalk began. The deer, a small buck, was feeding. I managed several pics before the buck nerves changed his feelings about my presence.

Eventually I came upon a township road and moved towards the parked Jeep. I was going to go along Cowanshannock Creek to see what mischief I could find.

I was surprised to not see any cars parked being it was a Saturday. I walked mostly along this creek past the locally famous Buttermilk Falls and continued. I was frustrated to see the garbage and massive erosion issues from the same ATV and dirt bike users from up and over the hills. the trails are everywhere!

I saw and, later heard, a Great Blue Heron.