Larry A. Smail's Blog

I have been very neglectful of posts recently. Why? Five weeks ago, this day I had a very bad fall while going fishing at the Allegheny River. My injuries were at a level where I could barely walk, and even more pain was involved during the getting up out a chair or bed. Needless to say, hiking was few once the pain receded to a more tolerable level. The opioids allowed me to function at all. And even then, two miles was all I would walk.

I did get out a few times recently to fish again and I have had some fun. Jim G., a friend from church and I have hit the waters some. Species caught by us has been Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Suckers, catfish and Soft-shelled Turtles.

Carp

Catfish

Sucker

While hiking and fishing I have seen bald Eagles, Ospreys, Wild Turkeys, many Deer and many othe species of wildlife. I hope to increase my movements soon.

To add to my injury issues, I managed to hook onto a cold somewhere. I am still getting over those symptoms, as well. Oh well!

While struggling with the leg issues I began to revamp the garage with fresh paint and remodeling some easy ideas. Even then I had an issue to deal with. I was on a step ladder reaching to the top of the garage walls when suddenly I was on the cement. The ladder twisted and bent some and I left an impression of a head in the dry wall. It looked like someone threw a softball against the wall. Lucky for me my head didn’t hit where a stud was located. I guess life can always get worse.

Even with all of these issues to deal with I have been playing music a lot. My art has suffered greatly this year. I have not been inspired at all.

Turtlehead..a native wildflower.

Read Full Post »

I captured some minnows and went early to catch hundreds of fish on the Allegheny River at Lock Number Seven at Kittanning, PA. I didn’t catch hundreds of fish in fact in the two hours I did not have a bite. Yes, I was skunked!

Interestingly, a Great Blue Heron flew past and settled below the dam to catch some fish. I noticed the bird catch and devour three fish up to about a foot in length.

Since I spent time watching my rod tip for movement, it is quite possible the heron may have ingested more than three fish. I am thinking of trading my rod and reel for a long sharp beak!

Eventually, I quit and walked the shoreline to see what I could find. I found a fisherman’s net. As to be expected by me, I did search for early summer wetland wildflowers along the river’s edge. I took photos and I included the Pickeral Flower above.

Native Rhododendron

Read Full Post »

I discovered this nesting hen.

I had some worms and I decided to spend a little time on Buffalo Creek to see if the trout were biting. No luck. There was an insect hatch, and I would occasionally see a swirl as a hungry trout gulped one down. I fished approximately thirty-five minutes before my morel-hunting hike began. Along the stream I saw a pair of kingfishers fluttering back and forth emitting their rattling calls. I saw a pair of Canada Geese flying over. As I used a leaning tree for support while casting, I notice a Wood Turtle submerged along the shoreline. I managed one photo before the turtle entered the tree’s root mass.

Wood Turtle

The walk began upslope on a township road before diagonally walking through the woods in search of morel mushrooms. Eventually along the horizon line I would see seven deer in total, three Jakes and a longbeard.

The view from the summit.

I turned downward and reentered the woods. Here I would spot the nesting hen. I didn’t get too close for fear of disturbing her. I took some various wildflower photos while descending the hill. By ten o’clock the temps were hitting very warm degrees.

Coltsfoot seed pods.

The blossom of our native Wild Ginger. This blossom is always at ground level.

Read Full Post »