Larry A. Smail's Blog

     The day, for mid-March, was to reach into the lower seventy degrees. I decided to head out for a hike and see what I could discover. The Sate Game Lands I decided to patrol was an area where I had been too previous. The only difference today was I was going to cover additional areas where I had not been to before.                                             

Clearcut

I could see the harbingers of spring all about. Coltsfoot was blooming all over. The skunk cabbage was up. Many other perennials and biennials were in their early stages of growth. Fresh new grass, rich in green could be viewed all about. Maple buds were ready to emerge and the multiflora rose and honeysuckle had begun to leaf out.

An Oak with Character

Every now and then, I discover a tree or two with character. By this, I mean, these are older, mature trees with lots of heavy limbs emerging from the main tree. These trees are few, so I really enjoy observing their stature upon finding one. Not many trees are permitted to reach such maturity with mankind’s constant need for wood and the prospect of cash.       

Mollusk Shell

Hen Turkey Dropping

  I found turkey sign all about. I eventually come onto a point on the ridge with fresh scratchings  around the wild cherry trees.  As I approached the rim of the steep hollow an eruption of wings and a number of turkeys went air-borne.  I set down to call and eventually called in a gobbler, but, I failed to get any good photos.  

Gobbler Dropping

Turkey Vulture

I discovered a large ridge that had been clear-cut in times past. I thought this is great bear habitat. All I saw here was a ruffed grouse and gray squirrel.

Of course, there was one negative aspect of today’s jaunt. TICKS!!!!!!!! I HATE THEM!!!! I killed over thirty from my clothes today. I brushed off a number of them two. I was within sight of my vehicle when a burning sensation was felt on my arm. I quickly removed my shirt to see a tick near my elbow. Usually, one never feels their bite, but I sure did feel the burn. I lifted my T-shirt to find another one embedded in my side and a third one crawling along my waistline. THREE MORE TICKS BIT THE DUST!

I try to use vigilance on these nasty critters, but I am finding more of them finding my skin to be tasty!

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Frank maus

    Since our retirements, my friend Frank Maus and I have been doing some muskie fishing and hiking. Today, after a discussion we walked along trail  known as the Redbank Valley Trail. The trail, although not yet completed, proved to be a great scenic trail. The trail runs along  Redbank Creek. RedbankCreek divides the counties of Armstrong and Clarion in western Pennsylvania.                      

Redbank Creek

Frank wanted to study the waters for possible future fishing excursions, so I happily agreed to the jaunt. Our walk lasted three hours of steady steps. I am estimated we hiked ten miles, at least. (This is my guest.)

Fisher tracks

   The morning was rather brisk and about 4 inches of snow blanketed the area. Snow always tells many stories as we would soon observe. One of the first tracks were those of the fisher. The fisher was once native to our area and drastic timbering operations and over harvest caused the specie to become absent for many years. The Pennsylvania Game Commission re-introduced them about 15 years ago and now the mammal is spreading  rather well.                                                                                  

Moving ice

Other tracks were deer, squirrel,turkeys, fox and mice. A pair of mated coyotes used te trail a lot. We smelled their presence more than once as they marked their territory. While walking a saw a mass covered with snow. I pushed at the mass with my walking stick and a porcupine rolled away. The porky was soft and not frozen. Rigor-mortis nor freezing has stiffened the creature. Neither of us had an explanation as to that fact.

An island

   One very interesting observation happened. We began to hear backed-up ice cracking when the ice pack began to push and creat ice dams. We, both, felt blessed to have been at the area at that precise time to watch this event. The cracking and pushing lasted about 15 minutes when the movement ceased.

As we were returning we noticed fresh gobbler tracks that were not present earlier. All told we saw 5 deer and 1 turkey. We saw a bat flying although the temperatures were in the thirty degree range. We observed high steep hills; thick hemlock covered hill sides; beautiful icy waters and huge rock outcroppings.The snow had melted off dramatically on our return journey. the February sun was making heat.  

Allegheny River hills

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Snapping turtle skull

  A week ago, I walked along the railroad tracks bordering the western side of the Allegheny River. I saw five fox squirrels; geese; wood ducks and mallards. I, also, saw a pair of herons flying overhead. One interesting discover was the skeleton of a snapping turtle.Of course, I gathered much of these bones up.     

Mallards

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High water

  Wow!  Can you believe this weather for the end  of   January?  The temperatures are to reach into the 60 degree mark. So, how could I stay home this day with weather seemingly spring-like?  The answer is.. I couldn’t!

Railroad bridge at Mosgrove

I had some errands to run so I incorporated the trip into a nice walk along the Armstrong Trail. I parked just north of Kittanning, Pennsylvania and began a long hike. I turned around to return just a little south of Mosgrove. The walk ended up being approximately eight miles long. Invigorating!

Reflections!

The Allegheny River was known by the French during the years prior and during the French and Indian War as the “Belle Rivera”. (mid-eighteenth century) The English translation is, Beautiful River. Indeed, the river is beautiful! The river was known for years as the Ohio river too. Later, individuals separated the two giving the Allegheny River the name.                              

Rock wall

This morning the river appeared as a sheet of glass. Yes, the waters were moving, but the absence of wind made the river look smooth. Any reflections were still and obvious! Later, as I was walking back the winds picked up causing surface disturbances.

Looking south

  Mammals were few. I, only, saw one gray squirrel. Bird life, however, was a little more prevalent. I saw a flock of 30 or so Canada geese. I saw and heard winter wrens and crows. Other species I witnessed were the junco; chickadee and goldfinches.                               

Beaver cut

   The wooded ares between the trail and the river had many signs of beaver activity. Some were old and weathered and others rather recent. These beavers are bank beavers since they usually build their lodge against the water’s bank and tunnel.

Ancient human activity too can be seen along this route. One such site displays a high rock wall. This was , probably a coke furnace site in times past since lots of slag can be viewed too. I always find the construction of the early men to amaze me. I can’t help wondering how working men maneuvered those big rocks into place. I, also wonder why their construction outlasts more modern works. This is especially true when you realize the plans for newer construction are, no doubt, figured out by college engineers!  Makes one think!                                        

Lichen

The walk lasted close to three hours with a steady pace. Upon my return home the task of cleaning up sawdust from the garage was needed. I have been replacing and adding mouldings  and the dust was everywhere.

I am seeing daffodils pushing through the soil. The maple buds are in place waiting for the proper time. Spring, regardless of the remaining winter weather, is coming soon!     

Quartz on a rock

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    Here it is mid-January in Pennsylvania and this weekend was the first time I needed to broom off the driveway! The snow cover was only a few inches deep.

The mid-afternoon hours came and I couldn’t fight the urge to go walking in the snow armed with camera and walking stick.  The trek I decide don was along Cowanshannock Creek here in Armstrong County.  This section of the creek is covered with rocks varying in sizes up to as big as trucks.                        

      The trail runs parallel to the creek for a distance, but I chose to search the rocky creek banks for photo opportunities. This area is hazardous walking all year. Today, instead of wet moss the rocks had ice and snow on them. (Understand why I needed the walking stick as a third leg!)

The water was colored and fast, but still beautiful to view. The rocks were snow-covered. The banks often yielded to contrasting colors of hemlock and rhododendrons.

Drenched!

   A one point, I glanced up-stream and could see some vividly colored clothing covering two bodies. I wondered just what I was seeing when I realized these two guys were “surfing” down the stream. I watched as they both often fell into the water as they pursued their sport.

The walk continued, but, there were several sites where I was forced to go upslope and walk the trail some. Eventually, I came to the rail’s end at a [place known locally as Buttermilk Falls. I spent some time at the site captivated to the beauty of nature. Time’s like these one would have difficulty in believing in a creator!     

Skunk Cabbage

I noticed still water coming from a spring seep. In the midst was a single skunk cabbage stalk shooting forth awaiting the early spring warmth.

The hike back was on the trail. I walked slow for I didn’t want the afternoon to end. times like these often cause me to reflect on the things of my life. Things such as: bad decisions;missed opportunities; passed away loved ones; my future; my wife’s future; family and so many other things. Sometimes I arrange songs in my brain waves. Today, I wished I could see my grandparents and dad once again. I long hug would be appropriate with simple words of, “I miss you.”     

The snow floated down softly and quietly from the heavens above. I tried to focus on a single flake. I thought how a very small flake in its origins joined with other flakes to make this one of about half an inch in size. How many small flakes joined to make this one?  I wondered to myself. The sad aspect of that flake is once it touches the existing blanket of snow it immediately disappears. I could not pick it out. So many snow crystals to make this white blanket of white soft snow. This amazes me! 

Ice Ornaments

The walk came to an end way to soon, but I felt all the better for engaging in the time. As for critters, few were out and about. I saw a couple of winter wrens and three cardinals. Monday, cousin Donny and my step-father are planning on some outdoor time together. Should be fun!                                         

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