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Archive for the ‘Wildflowers’ Category

A Little Trout Fishing!

Posted in Fishing, Misc. Nature, Wildflowers on May 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Pine Creek

Lucky me, for I managed to get out for a few hours to fish for trout. Reality is I needed some time along the streams. Catching anything would be a bonus. Sunday afternoon, April 28, found me heading for Pine Creek. I told Laurie I hope there would not be a lot of fishermen. There were more than I wanted to compete with.

I parked and walked slowly through a sea of Skunk cabbage hoping to find solitude. I did for a little time until fishermen started showing up. I elected to explore and quit fishing.

Dwarf Ginseng

I fished about an hour. I could see a nice Palamino trout under a rock, but I couldn’t lure the beauty to my rig. I walked around taking photos and went to Cowanshannock and a lot of cars were viewed.

The following day after I ran some errands and had a haircut I went to Patterson Run. A much more enjoyable time for me. No fishermen! I caught some beautiful Rainbow Trout. Of course, I practice catch and release, so the beauties were all released.

One of the Rainbow Trout.

To get to the water I had to walk downhill through the woods to the stream. The woods along the trail I walked was colored a beautiful springtime vivid green. I would see a deer, Canada Geese and their goslings, and a snake of an unknown species. I caught a glimpse as it completed the hiding under an old stump. I spotted the snake briefly because I head it moving in the dry leaves.

Yes, I enjoyed my time along Patterson Run.

Patterson Run

Golden Ragwort

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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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Always A Thrill To See A Bear

Posted in Hikes, Wildflowers, Wildlife on July 22, 2023| 2 Comments »

I have been dealt a stressful 2023. With that in mind, once I heard of early morning temperatures in the fifties, a hike was in order. I donned a light flannel shirt and off I went to enjoy some time to reflect.

I had only walked less than a quarter of a mile when I spotted the bear at about eighty yards. I quickly snapped some photos in the early morning woods not expecting super quality photos, but what can you do but attempt to get clarity. I shot several shots before the bruin walked away. I attempted to circle and close the gap but no bear was to be viewed.

I did see a hen turkey with five fist-size poults. She must have lost her first clutch for these birds were very small for late July. I saw several deer as well.

Dog-bane Beetle

Black Cohosh or Bugbane

Almost the end of the cycle for the Mayapple.

Bee Balm

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Skunked On the River

Posted in Fishing, Wildflowers, Wildlife on June 30, 2023| Leave a Comment »

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

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Rock Furnace Trail and Roaring Run

Posted in Hikes, Wildflowers on April 23, 2023| Leave a Comment »

White Trillium

In 2020 during the complete shutdown of America, Laurie and I hiked the Rock Furnace Trail located in southern Armstrong County. We were discussing in 2019 of a possible cruise for our Twenty-five wedding anniversary. Eventually, we decided to not chance the trip due to the possibility of my stepfather, Bob Miller passing away due to cancer. That decision was sure the right decision for in March, when the trip was being planned, the ocean cruise ships were stopped on the ocean. they were not allowed to port. We would have been on one of those ships!

So, to compensate for the decision to not take a cruise we did some hiking and sightseeing. The above trail was one of those choices. We enjoyed dour time together on that hike. We, both enjoy the beauty of wildflowers, and the trail does not disappoint.

Recently we walked the trail again. the stream, Roaring Run parallels the trail. This stream has been recently classified as a stream of naturally occurring Brown Trout. The trout are reproducing!

Purple Trillium

Some areas along the trail produce literally thousands upon thousands of White Trillium plants.

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Morning Trout Fishing and Hike

Posted in Fishing, Wildflowers, Wildlife on April 23, 2023| Leave a Comment »

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.

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A Walk Along the Mahoning

Posted in Hikes, Misc. Nature, Wildflowers, Wildlife on March 4, 2023| 2 Comments »

Recently, another spring-like day was being forecasted. A hike was definitely needed, and I elected to do so along Mahoning Creek.

Although the day was to reach into the sixty degrees even seventy degrees the early morning was frosty.

Teasel backlit by the early morning sun.

A most interesting view occurred early when I was able to observe a flock of turkeys fly across the waterways. I had to wonder why they flew across for the very same food supply was on both sides. They are turkeys and turkeys do what turkeys do.

The walk was somewhere between eight of nine miles in total and my old knees and lower back were aching by the time I returned back to the jeep. I had hoped to see a Bald Eagle and I may have seen two immature ones far upstream flying from the trees. I heard a lone gobbler gobbling across the Mahoning but high up the slope.

First Coltsfoot blossom of the year.

Skunk Cabbage

Over the past two weeks I have noticed the Killdeer, Common Grackles and Red-wing Blackbirds are filtering back from their annual migration.

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The Deer Are Moving!

Posted in Wildflowers, Wildlife on September 17, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Yes, one thing I noticed over the last two morning hikes is the fact of moving deer. I saw four buck and many doe and fawns. I lost count. The velvet has been removed and the antlers are strong ready to face the rigors of this upcoming rutting season. I haven’t seen any buck scrapes yet.

Does and her fawns are fattening up and will be soon finding the need to run from aggression in the males. Truth be known I suspect this is already happening but will increase in intensity very soon.

The deer all have their winter hair.

I managed a few photos of deer over these last two mornings.

Full speed ahead!

White Snakeroot

Garden Spider on a dewy web out for a quick breakfast.

Chestnuts

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Some More Time Afield

Posted in Butterflies and Insects, Wildflowers, Wildlife on September 9, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Jack-in -the- Pulpit berries

I have managed to get in some walking despite encountering many demands on my being. A few photos from a couple of morning hikes are within this entry.

I have been playing lead guitar at a church for a few months now. The regular player developed an illness to be found out of his bladder cancer. he is taking treatments and has had some setbacks with infections and such. I am hoping Ray gets well enough to resume his position soon. Some Monday evenings I pay guitar at an event known as God’s Choice. This event is catered towards those with various handicaps. It is a rewarding venture to see them smile and sing along. Thursday evening, I have a Bible study class with ten to fourteen individuals interested in studying the Word. Other issues play a part in my life with serious health issues within the family.

Doe with her winter coat.

Button Bush Seed Pods

Monarch Butterfly

Spotted Jewelweed

Ironweed

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Nature Odd and Ends

Posted in Butterflies and Insects, Hikes, Misc. Nature, Wildflowers, Wildlife on August 17, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I believe this may be a species known as the Grasshopper Sparrow.

It doesn’t take long to see the natural world moving quickly towards the autumn season. As a wildflower enthusiast I have learned to tell seasons by the blooms of various species of wildflowers. The end of the season will be upon us before one knows it. Currently the Ironweed with the brilliant purples is in bloom as the Goldenrods are presently emerging into their bright yellow hues. The various Asters will be blooming soon.

Ironeed

Bull Thistle

I was about three feet before possibly stepping too close to this Bald-faced Hornet nest. It, probably, would not have gone well for me!

Not one hundred percent sure of this specie of Dragonfly, but it is a beaut!

I noticed this Black Snake emerging from my landscaping this afternoon. I ran for the camera. In the couple of minutes, it took to retrieve the camera the snake had ventured out onto the yard. I fell to my belly to snap photos. Most were blurred too much for the snake was moving as I tried to keep up.

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