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SEVEN STEPS!

Posted in 2013 Spring Gobbler Season, My Family, Wildflowers on May 6, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Virginia Bluebells...a native wildflower.

Virginia Bluebells…a native wildflower.

Bob, my step-father,  and I climbed the hill in the early minutes prior to dawn. The mile walk was a little tiring for him and we stopped periodically. Prior to reaching the planned goal I heard a distant gobble or two. We continued on the last 200 yards and realized a gobbler was greeting the dawn 100 yards or less over the hill’s edge. We set up.

Tent Caterpillars are already eating the new foliage.

Tent Caterpillars are already eating the new foliage.

I placed Bob with his right shoulder being concealed by a fallen pine top. This top still had needles and since he is right-handed getting to turn and take a shot would be extremely difficult. The woods we were in was predominately pines with a very open deciduous canopy over the edge. Between these two habitats is a grassy border. This is where I had called in the three young gobblers last Friday.

The gobbling intensified after my initial soft yelps and clucks. I quit calling  for the gobbler knew where we were. I coached Bob about trying to hold his shotgun towards the site where the gobbler may show.

The gobbler quit gobbling and, shortly, we, both, saw movement. This was the fanned tail of the gobbler. The terrain did not allow to see anything else. In a few minutes a loud and close gobble exploded to our right. I still expected him to follow the grassy area. I told Bob to concentrate to his right on the grassy area.

Four-leaf Clover-for luck!

Four-leaf Clover-for luck!

Suddenly, I could hear the soft rustling of a gobbler walking and CLOSE! I expected the big bird to come behind us now since a right-of-way was present there. I told Bob to be still.

A long bearded gobbler walked out from behind the pine top concealment directly in front of Bob. The distance was SEVEN STEPS! Bob’s shotgun was facing too far to the left and he didn’t have it anywhere near to where it needed to be to get a shot. I whispered, as the bird became nervous and walked towards the grassy area. I said when the head gets behind a tree aim the shotgun and shoot. Bob tried to pull up, but slowly, and the bird was flying for parts unknown.                                                                                            DSC_0066

A disappointed man was the result. We discussed the things he had done wrong. The events were a learning experience.

Later, farther down the ridge,  I received some gobble talk to my calling. The bird came to about seventy yards and shut up. I surmised a hen entered the scene. I felt confident for a while that Bob may have another chance.

We are going to try again later this week.

White Trilium

White Trilium

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Mink and Ticks

Posted in Hikes, Misc. Nature, Wildflowers on April 23, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Morning Mist

Morning Mist

I arrived five minutes later than I had hoped to the site where I elected to listen for gobblers. I opened the door and began gathering my camera and gear when a thunderous gobble erupted about 130 yards from me. I eased the door and walked away and up and over a hill.

Cherry Run

Cherry Run

Early Dogwood blossom

Early Dogwood blossom

I heard another tom farther back from the original. I walked diagonally towards a field where my step-father, Bob likes to hunt. A hen flew from a tree and another third gobbler announced his presence. He was in some pines at the field’s edge.

DSC_0032   I hurriedly checked some distant areas but by 6:15 A.M. the turkey music was over. I left this site and went south to an area where the two Cherry Run streams converge prior to entering Crooked Creek. I saw more deer and a two great blue herons on this jaunt. I was watching a trout swim under a log when a blur of rich brown appeared and just as quickly vanished. the blur was a mink among a fallen tree. The critter suddenly left this fallen tree that was across the creek allowing mr a couple of very quick photos. One doesn’t see many mink in the wild and I felt truly blessed with this sighting.

Mink

Mink

I saw lots of squirrels; about 5-6 different deer and about another eight turkeys throughout the morning. However, they were quiet. I managed some close photos of two longbeards and three jakes, but my aging eyes didn’t allow for much quality. I find myself failing at photos more than I should. The image may appear crisp, but once on the computer they, far too often, are slightly fuzzy.

DSC_0057   The only negative aspect of my woodland jaunts are those deer ticks. I removed 15-18 of the pests from my pants prior to KILLING them! Later, at home, I removed one from my arm and another burn was felt on my leg. I removed another tick from my hide. I HATE TICKS!

The morning was a beautiful one for sure. The wildflowers are emerging at a quickened pace. The wildlife is very active.

Lower Cherry Run Watershed

Lower Cherry Run Watershed

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Along Buffalo Creek

Posted in Hikes, Misc. Nature, Wildflowers on September 29, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Buffalo Creek

I spent the morning hours finishing up details on a couple of paintings. A couple of errands were in need of doing too.

Mom believed me when I told her white caterpillars meant 12-15 feet of snow!

All done with the errands and a hike of a couple of miles would be the ticket on such a glorious morning. This walk would include both road and woodland walking.  Some trees, especially the maples, were already coming into full color and others were still holding onto their summer hues. The wild flowers are in various stages. Some have long gone to seed, yet others are in full bloom.

   One of the most prevalent flower in blossom now is the New York Aster. This flower has a slight sky-blue color with a golden center. Other white-colored asters are flowering yet. The woodland sunflowers are in seed and the Goldfinches were enjoying filling up on their seeds.

The coolness of the day had bird activity in high gear. Bluejays; finches; woodpeckers… were to be viewed everywhere! Chipmunks and some squirrels were busy gathering acorns.

While on the pavement I noticed a gobbler walking across the road. Shortly, thereafter, I heard him gobble at a loud ATV. I saw one deer feeding in the distance.

This evening, I will be playing lead guitar with the First Methodist’s church staff band at their Saturday night service. Tomorrow, the 30th, I will be playing with a put together band at the Burrell Township’s Annual Fall Festival. I am not sure of who will be playing at that event.                        

Yes, the fall season is upon us and expect autumn-colored trees to be included in upcoming posts.

New York Aster

Cocklebur

 

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Nicholson Run Walk

Posted in Hikes, Wildflowers, Wildlife on August 15, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Silvery water spots on milkweed leaf.

This walk wasn’t a planned excursion in any sense. This walk came to be because of an instance that happened in the pre-dawn hours. I guess I should explain. I had Susie out for a nature call when, suddenly and without warning, a severe coughing and choking event overcame me.  These spells are not unheard of in regards to my health, but they are not usually this bad. I actually dropped to the yard and had a burning discomfort to my arms and legs. I am assuming this is because of a lack of oxygen. I have had these sensations before too, but usually after a difficult sneeze.

Catbird

I remember securing Susie’s leash for fear if I passed out she would be wondering towards the road since she is blind. In a couple of minutes the event was over except for a slight burning in my right arm and extreme fatigue. I went to my “man cave” to recoup. To use a saying of my dads; this “knocked the wind out of my sail”!

Ironweed

I laid down and awoke about 7:15 and gave Susie her insulin. I felt weak, but I decided to go for a walk and get some fresh air…hence, Nicholson Run. I parked and forced myself to walk the road  parallel to the small stream. I literally mean that I forced myself for physically I was tired. Eventually, I received a second wind and the walk became more enjoyable.

Joe-Pye

The road is about 3 miles in length, so I am guessing so I walked approximately 6 miles,  give or take. The later summer flowers are in abundance. I found lots of woodland sunflowers blooming with their brilliant yellow petals. Also, the yellow-colored, green-headed coneflower could be viewed. The deep purple of ironweed contrasted the yellows, as well as, the pinkish joe-pye. I have joe-pye at my home reaching over 8 feet in height. As one would expect, the bees and butterflies were prevalent.

  Birds were common today around the flowers. I saw goldfinches; catbirds and various other species. I saw 4 deer in total. One was a doe with fawns.

Nicholson Run isn’t a very big stream. A local sportsman’s club stock trout in it for a youth fishing day. The vegetation is thick along the borders so for most of the walk the stream was unseen. I did, however, notice a few small beaver dams. I had watched beavers on this stream many years ago when the mammal was first making a strong comeback in the area.

green-headed coneflower

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Walk Along The River

Posted in Wildflowers, Wildlife on July 25, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Cardinal Flower

Frank “MUSKIE” Maus

I elected to go to the Armstrong County Historical Society museum very early to add a few items for the Native American Room there.The temperatures were to become hot so I decided to allow time to walk along the Allegheny River. One never knows what one might find along the banks.

The vegetation, of course, was dew-laden at this early hour. I was seeking anything of interest to take photos of too. Wildflowers flourish along the water sources.

 

Citizen’s Bridge at Kittanning, PA

I had not traveled far when a fishing boat was viewed travelling north on the western side of the river. I though I recognized the boat and soon definitely noticed the operator of the craft. It was my friend, Frank, “MUSKIE” Maus on his daily quest for the elusive fish the muskellunge. He didn’t notice me as he turned to his right and moved to about 60 yards from the shore. I hollered over to throw the lure, pointing to my left, over there for that is where the big ones are! I heard the familiar laugh. We chatted a while before I drifted south along the shore.

Pickerel Flower

One of my favorite summer flowers of areas near water sources is the cardinal-flower. The brilliant red colors stand out in dominance over the greens. I, also, noticed some pickerel flowers growing in the shallow water. This flower seems to be rather scarce in my travels.

I was fortunate to see some mallards;  a great blue heron; a groundhog and a couple ofrabbits throughout the short venture.

Groundhog

 

 

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Things I Have Been Doing!!!

Posted in Historical, Muskie Fishing, Wildflowers on July 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Purple Coneflower

  I’ve been busy! The last weekend in June I played guitar with, at least, 6 bands at campgrounds. Of course, over the 4th of July week I was at several cook out meals. One was with my family and the other was at Greensburg, Pennsylvania at Laurie’s brother and his betrothed home. We attended  the home of Kristen and Mark Crosby on July 4th for multiple reasons. Mark had made the trek to becoming a Free Methodist pastor. We, and others had stopped by for a cook out type congratulatory visit. The invite, also, meant chairs set up watching the fire works during the Heritage Days event in Ford City, Pennsylvania.

We did some western-style square dancing  Friday evening (July 6) during one of the hottest days of summer. (Didn’t say we were smart! and I didn’t say I did well either!)

One evening I went for a nice bike ride. I went to Rosston and went around the marina and returned home.The several hour ride was invigorating.

Another project for me is placing tracks in a digital recordings for a future CD. I have placed , thus far, up to six and seven tracks on some of the 13 songs. This is a lot of work and is time-consuming. This morning we worked at placing some vocals on three of the songs.

Button Bush

Muskie Maus

On Tuesday, I spent the day on the Allegheny River casting and trolling for muskies at the invite of my friend, Frank (MUSKIE) Maus. He has caught 305 of these great fish in his fishing career. That is quite an accomplishment. The man is obsessed with muskies! We failed to have any strikes this day. I watched a gar trail my lure and with the next cast felt a nudge on the lure which was, probably, the same gar. We saw lots of mallards and some mergansers and a few gulls.  

Wednesday, found me doing a  couple of miles of walking and later gathering some large rocks for landscaping. (I am getting to old for such weights!)

A bear walked somewhere below my home on Tuesday. I sure would have liked to have seen it! This week I have seen a few deer and, today I did see about 7 turkeys cross the road below my old homestead.

Wednesday evening I located the final resting place of Col. William Sirwell. He was the commander of the 78 Pennsylvania Regiment from our area. He is buried at the St. Mary’s cemetary near Kittanning, Pennsylvania.

Col. Wm. Sirwell grave marker.

Saturday, I am scheduled to play lead guitar with a band called Just Passin’ Through. This band lost their lead guitar player about four years ago and I have been asked to play at Grey’s Home for their annual picnic the last three years.  This band doesn’t play music much together due to travel, etc. This is one time they manage to get together. They play older style country music.

Sunday evening, I was asked to play lead guitar with a gospel band called the Gospel Messengers. This will be a televised event. They lost their lead instrument last year and, as of date, haven’t found a full-time replacement.

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Hunting But Not Getting!

Posted in 2012 Spring Gobbler Season, Wildflowers on May 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Foggy morning

I was high on the hill at 5:10 A.M. waiting to see what the new dawning would bring. I heard a “Swoooosh” directly behind me and immediately turned to see a whip-or-will passing within feet of my head! I could hear another on off in the distance doing its familiar call.

I went farther south into the Cherry Run watershed this morning. The hills become dramatically steeper and higher  a short distance from where I had been hunting. I find these abrupt variances amazing!

Cherry Run Watershed

I heard a subtle gobble and then another. I turned to try to focus in to the direction of the source. Gil-obble-obble!  Aha!  The bird seems to be far across the big watershed valley across the road and across Cherry Run.  Off I go!

As I reached the top of the adjacent hill all was quiet in turkeydom. I began a sneak and call and soon received an answer…a gobble! The bird was  along a hilly field above where he was earlier roosting. I was soaked, by now, from running across high grasses (reclaimed strip job) and the exertion. I eventually walked to about a hundred yards from him. He soon went silent again.

Gobbler fans!

I eased among multiflora rose brambles to peek into the field  I saw a hen and shortly spotted three full-fanned tails of adult gobblers. The shape of the terrain allowed to only see the upper third of the turkeys. I watched them stay within a 20-30 feet area strutting about. The birds went over the grade and I called again and one gobbler came back over and strutted to about 50 yards from my position. The field is on a round top of the hill with plenty of contours and irregular hollows, etc.

The field..the gobblers were along the edge.

The birds went out of site and I decided to work around the round top and position myself in the direction they were leaning to.  After some time I could see a hen, but no gobblers. OH NO! I retraced my path and peeked over a crest in the field and the turkeys were strutting within 20 feet where I had been calling from!They had left the hen!  This seldom happens!

White Clintonia Lily

I went down slope and worked around and peered out through the foliage again and I could see strutting gobblers about 100 yards from me. I did some soft calling. No gobbles!  I eased out a little later and one gobbler was about fifty yards. away. I thought this could work!

I heard a hen way down slope and after a spell I heard her clucking near the field’s edge. Not again!  My final peek and all birds were gone. I started a slow and deliberate sneak and heard a gobble. I crept into the woods and the bird(s) were about 150 yards away. I began calling and was answered!  The hen began cutting and cackling and I gave her angry calls in return. She came in to within 20 feet of me. the gobblers were moving too.

Suddenly, the gobbles came from within range. I steadied the shotgun and I couldn’t see them through the multiflora roses. Come on show yourselves!

The hen for whatever reason decided to take flight and she veered over the gobblers back in the direction they had all come from. The woods went silent. I heard one more gobble back away from me and silence!

I saw opossum; groundhog babies; squirrels, deer, including a couple of bucks and at least, seven different turkeys in all. This is why it is called hunting and not getting. I was so close at different times all morning.

 

 

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Black Moshannon

Posted in Hikes, Wildflowers on May 17, 2012| Leave a Comment »

    I was up and about early this morning of May 17th. I planned to head to the Black Moshannon Forest area to see what I might do…hike…fish… ??                                    

I traveled through Renova, Pennsylvania and headed south towards the Black Moshannon Forest. I was blessed to see many beautiful landscapes along the way. I stopped at various places to stand in awe and take photos. Many hollows would have thick fog settled in giving the illusion of cotton candy.  At some of these sites I could literally see for many miles. WOW!

Beaver lodge

I arrived at the forest around 9:00 A.M. and began to hike an eleven mile Moss-Hanne Trail. I chose this trail for the challenge of often being in bog and wetland areas. These areas have wildflower species one can not find elsewhere. I hoped to see some of these flowers and others. I wasn’t disappointed!

Fringed Polygala

Painted trillium

I found a number of Painted Trilliums. This specie seems to need the rich areas of the state with acid in the soil. I don’t believe they are found in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. They are smaller in size than the white and purple trilliums found locally at home. The smaller size, however, yields much more color on the three petals.

I found a lot of Pink Lady’s Slippers on the hike. These flowers are a very demanding flower. The needs are crucial for their survival. Never pick them! This flower, sometimes called the Moccasin Flower, is native in Armstrong County. I know of a few sites where they can be found. Past land practices have destroyed many of these beautiful and interesting flowers from our area.

Pink Lady’s Slipper

I found a specie I had never seen before. I looked the small deep pink flowers up. They are the Fringed Polygala. This flower is only a few inches high. The book claimed this specie is found throughout Pennsylvania except the western counties.

Bunchberry

I was shocked to see another specie, I knew of, but had never viewed before. This flower is known as the Bunchberry. It grows on an eight inch stem and looks a lot like a dogwood blossom. The fall seeds are even red like dogwood. This one specimen was the only one I found. It requires high elevations and bog areas.

The hike ended up on a paved park road.I began to have difficulty with my feet. The rubber boots caused much heat and discomfort and I need to walk 3.5 to 4 miles to reach the car. The temperatures were climbing too. A ranger hauled my appreciative “butt” the last mile. I would remove my boots and walk barefoot for a while at times.

I decided to head to Clearfield, Pennsylvania to check out the gun stores and hopefully locate my friend, Howard Meyers’ home. After asking several people where the road was I was able to locate it. Now, to find his home! I had a phone number, but apparently I wrote down a wrong number for I would get a business.

Eventually, I located the address on a mailbox.The house set back in the woods so I had driven past it. Howard had left 15 minutes before I arrived. He later tried to call my cell but I had turned it off since I couldn’t call home yet.

I arrived home later in the evening, happy to see the family again.

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Messed Up Again!

Posted in 2012 Spring Gobbler Season, Misc. Nature, Wildflowers on May 10, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Male Scarlet Tanager

My strategy was simple. I would sneak in well into the dark hours and try to get on the back side of this gobbler. he seems to head low and/ go across a road into posted land. I hoped to be between his roosting site and this area. It didn’t work. He was across a road in posted land. Later I would see him walk up the hill in a cow pasture. He is a big bird.  I circled was around the hill and hoped he would enter into the woods. He didn’t and he saw me from the field’s top. I did see a hen too feeding on a gas line.

Calm frog!

I drove south again and tried to cross Cherry Run, but the waters were still way too high and swift. the tree I knew of was washed away. I drove farther down the road and walked up and over the steep hills again. I walked far to an area I wished to go. I approached the flat area of the hill and called . Gil-obble-obble!  I walked up slope farther and he again answered my call. He was close. TOO CLOSE! He came in fast and spotted me before I was set up. I messed up!!!!

Super Redwing!

Later, I saw a gobbler on a right-of-way belly tight on the ground while he preened himself. I believe this was the same gobbler for he showed no interest in my calling now.

I saw a number of deer. I actually spotted one laying down. I could see the reddening deer hair through the green foliage. I saw a woodcock; a grouse and lots of squirrels today too!  There are plenty of warblers darting about from limb to limb. they are difficult taking photos of.

Native Sweet William

The weatherman said that we were to have sun.  We did, but after the daily hunting season was over AND the weatherman said we were to have a very slight chance of a shower. The number was 15%. Well, I can honestly say I found showers at 100% twice. Both times the rains were hard enough and long enough to cause me to get wet!

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Love Gettin’ Soaked!

Posted in 2012 Spring Gobbler Season, Wildflowers on May 7, 2012| Leave a Comment »

I had a rough early morning. Asthmatic conditions were bothersome and reached a crescendo while driving for the hunt. The coughing became severe enough to cause me to allow some interesting ingredients to flow forth from my lungs. However, the suddenness of this event did not allow me to lower the window completely. Do I need to spell this out?       

Native Columbine

The results of these experiences cause much fatigue for me. However, I was still along the hill’s ridge hoping for the gobbler to sound off! The full moon was shining brightly as I exited the car, but within about 15 minutes the clouds had engulfed the entire sky. I heard three very distant gobbles only. At 6:30, I was gambling in the possible direction.

I was surprised to get a response from my calling. The bird became hot and would gobble up to four times in rapid response. He was very far away. I estimated, at least 400 yards by the volume.  I closed in a little, but decided to not go further since I wasn’t sure of the property lines here. I would try to lure him the distance. This didn’t work and he soon lost his “mo-jo”.

I toured the area across the road and failed to get any responses.  I decided to go elsewhere. A change might do me good.

Star of Bethlehem

I drove about a mile south and began the walk up steep hills in muggy weather.  Then I heard it… a gobble! I circled around and called . Soon I could see a gobbler walking a gas line right-of-way. I called and he came to about 45 yards and I could not see any beard! I walked over a crest and thunder caused him to yelp and gobble. I set there getting very soaked as I watched this bird again. Funny, no beard grew in those few minutes.  I exited to try to locate another.

During this travel, I found two more box turtles. That would make three for this year! The Baltimore Orioles are back and I saw my first hummingbird of the season too.  One reason, why I enjoy the spring gobbler season are the wild flowers!  Hope you enjoy the occasional photos I include within my blog/ kournal site.

I circled back to where I had seen the beardless bird. I walked slowly to the site where I had been earlier and I watched him walk away again. This time he had seen me!

Dandelion Seed Pod

I headed for the car soaked and very hot! I had seen a lot of squirrels today and a number of deer too.  The morning hours, also reminded me of my allergies too. Muffled sneezes occurred throughout the  day .

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