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Archive for April, 2024

Short Walk

Posted in Hikes, Misc. Nature on April 26, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Remains of a nice buck.

I took my mother to lower Ford City, Pennsylvania for her semiannual checkup. For ninety-four years of age the medical doctor expressed how well she is doing physically. Dementia issues are sneaking into her thoughts sometimes leading to saying things or seeing things. Oh well, over all it is not yet causing a lot of problems.

During her appointment time I made a short walk along the Allegheny River. I hoped to see a bald eagle flying through for a photo op.

Red-Tailed Hawk Nest

We stopped for breakfast before heading back to her home. I changed my pants to an anti-tick pair and made a short jaunt near the homestead. I hoped with finding some morels. The first sighting of interest was a shadow of a flying bird across the forest floor. I looked up and saw a Red-tailed Hawk landing in a tree close by. I knew by the bird’s actions a nest had to be nearby. I quickly spotted the nest as the hawk flew about screeching at me.

A short distance later I saw a ribcage of a deer followed by a nice rack among the vegetation. I couldn’t help wondering just what may have occurred leading to the deer’s demise…Bad shot, injury from a vehicle… It is doubtful if I could ever know.

The next sighting of interest was a Red Fox. Too quick for focusing but still a joy to see. As I glanced around for a possible den I walked upon a shed.

The walk was short for mowing needed to be completed for some rain is being forecasted.

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Finally, Some Sun

Posted in Wildflowers, Wildlife on April 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Trout Lily

The sun finally came out and I decided to go for a stroll to see what I may find. Rain, in recent days, had been continually falling causing much water and mud. The rain is helping the native wildflowers are beginning to sprout forth. I found two Robin nests both with eggs.

Wild Leeks or Ramps.

I removed around eight to ten ticks from my pants. It is time to wear my sprayed clothing. One of the little bast—- got through and I removed the beast from my side later at home. She didn’t survive!

Spring Beauty

I looked across a log and verbally and excitedly said, “Alright!” What did I see? Morels! I sat down on the ground and took some photos before picking a few. My feelings of joy quickly turned south. The third Morel I picked I notice the stem had that cottony mass inside. These were False Morels. Edible Morels have hollow stems. Morel hunters need to follow this rule. However, one person has said this specie is edible since posting. I am sticking to my rule on the hollow stem only to be safe. No ‘rooms this evening for me.

False Morel

The cottony mass in the stem. Photo isn’t clear to see the details.

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Stonewall Resort-West Virginia

Posted in Stonewall Resort, Wildlife on April 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Recently, Laurie and I took some time off to visit the great state of West Virginia. To be more specific, we stayed at the Stonewall Resort obviously named after the Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. We visited the Stonewall Jackson dam, too.

The resort is quite a nice place. Some of the features I particularly enjoyed were the over water boardwalk and local trails. Deer would be outside our window feeding and being totally at ease. I heard a gobbler across the lake one morning. Canada Geese and Mallards were on the lake all times.

The Boardwalk

Laurie and I were supplied with those special glasses to observe the solar eclipse. It was about 98% coverage at our area. We were on the terrace at the time enjoying the day during the eclipse.

The view from our window.

The one trail we hiked was a 3.2-mile venture. The Laurel Brooke Trail circled Carrion Bay.

We had a lunch of fire-baked pizza at the Lambert Winery near Weston, West Virginia. The chapel on site was underground.

The Chapel.

Waiting for our pizza!

Boardwalk on lake.

Early morning walk at the resort.

Northern Waterthrush

Female Eastern Bluebird

Chipping Sparrow

I easily saw the stereotype of Appalachia was correct upon seeing the many homes stuck at random along the hillside. Many homes looked in need of some care.

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D-Day

Posted in Historical on April 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »

A recent read for me was the book entitled, “D-Day, June 6, 1944, The Climatic Battle of World war ll.”

The invasion was a necessary in the second World War, that could not be denied. The leaders of the allied forces planned and planned. The fighting forces to be in this future action against the German army were trained and trained. When the time came to launch the invasion on the beached of Normandy, France, the plans became a nightmare, especially on the beach known in this battle as Omaha. Failures were everywhere. The Germans were in place and the results were destruction, chaos, casualties galore and death.

In my feeble mind, I find imagining what these brave young men faced almost impossible. I would fight tears more than once as I visualized the events and circumstances I was reading about. Humankind should never be required to endure such events but yet mankind has been forced to face the face of evil continuously over the countless centuries.

Of course, I had to think of my father, Allen K. Smail. He was involved on D-Day 13 if my memory is correct. Would he had survived D-day? Such a question is a humbling experience.

As per the training, the book records a number of times where training would eventually come together and counterattack the German wrath once those who survived the beach reached the tops of the cliffs and such.

Thank you, to all those brave young men, sacrificing so much on that day and the days following the invasion. It is a debt that cannot be ever repaid from America.

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