Posted in Wildlife on June 15, 2026| Leave a Comment »
I first spotted this Fox Squirrel moving through the dew-laden grasses along with a heavy fog. The mammal would peer back at me at times before the tree was climbed. The young squirrel may have never seen a human for the moment he/she climbed to the first limb the grass was chewed as I watched.
I would see two deer, a gobbler, a Beaver and a few rabbits. I saw around eight or more Gray Squirrels.
Posted in Wildflowers on June 12, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Yeah, the weather is humid, and storms were coming later in the day, but I went out early to beat both the storms and humid and warm weather. My plan was to walk the Allegheny River shoreline to seek out anything of interest. the first thing of interested were a couple “smooching.” I think they were slightly embarrassed once they realized I was just above them.
I always watch for native wildflowers, and I found some beauties on this walk. The Blue False Indigo is always in this area, and I do not believe I have ever seen it elsewhere. I read where this flower may grow as high as six feet in the right conditions. Locally I have never seen the flower much over three feet.
Two species of Mullein were discovered o this walk….the Common Mullein and the Moth Mullein. The Moth Mullein can be either this white color in the photo or yellow. Both species can grow up to six feet high. The Common Mullein has a gray green leaf color and is soft and velvety to the tough.
A couple of days prior to this walk a friend and I went fishing on the river. We each caught a sucker. I saw some gulls Mallards and an eagle.
Posted in Lake Erie on June 5, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Laurie and I hiked quite a distance while visiting Presque Isle. We enjoyed holding hands as we walked and looking for wildlife. We saw five or six Bald Eagles, several Ospreys and Great Blue Herons and Green Herons. Turtles were common basking on logs. I caught one crossing a road and released the reptile across the road.
I heard some birds acting up and looked to see what they were agitated about only to spot an Osprey perched in a poplar tree. The bird had something bright range in the talons. Field glasses verified the bird had found a goldfish. I saw goldfish in a bog area later.
While watching a Great Blue Heron, Laurie got to see the bird catch and swallow a nine- or ten-inch fish whole.
Posted in Lake Erie on June 5, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Sometime ago Laurie and I began a hike on trails at the Erie Bluffs only to turn back due to severe knee pain I developed. The pain ended up requiring surgery for a torn meniscus. Well during our anniversary adventure time we did the Erie Bluffs without incident… well sort of!
After the hiking was completed, I realized I didn’t have my phone. We were here at the Bluffs but also on the beached of Presque Isle. I was disturbed to say the least. Laurie used her phone and called my number at times to no avail. However, towards evening her call was answered. I talked to the man, and we decided to meet at a gas station where I had pumped a tank earlier that day, so I knew where the station was.
Two young fellows arrived at the gas station and handed me the phone. I wanted to give then a reward for their kindness, but they refused. I fought back emotions of happiness. Thank you both for being honest!
The steepness of the bluffs is around a hundred feet or so. I am happy we made the trek this time.
Posted in Lake Erie on June 5, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Laurie wanted to return to Presque Isle and other places at Lake Erie for our anniversary in April. (Thirty-one years) Weather, seasonal Asthma and the cold she caught made that trip impossible. We finally went recently once I saw a nice stretch of weather coming upon us all.
I took a number of photos that evening and I have included a few on my site to enjoy.
Larry A. Smail's Blog 