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DSC_0005The second week of Pennsylvania’s fall turkey season has concluded. My step-father, Bob and I managed to get out a few hours on a couple of occasions. Unfortunately, we failed to locate the meandering flocks.

Bob

Bob

Notice the rear quarters raise as the deer froze in position.

Notice the rear quarters raise as the deer froze in position.

We separated to try to hear birds on the roost. When that strategy failed I began a walk of the area with hopes of walking into a flock of birds or to receive an answer. All my walking failed as well. However, I did see a number of deer including some bucks.

Bear claw marks.

Bear claw marks.

We decided to try at an area near my homestead for an hour or so prior to going to the house for some grub. At this site I saw only deer.    Our second time out during this last week was a mid morning gathering. We entered and area where Bob harvested a young gobbler a few years ago. Turkey sign was sparse everywhere I ventured on these hills. Again, I saw a lot of deer including a couple of bucks. The first buck I saw was discovered as I eased over a ridgeline seeking turkeys. I immediately spotted this buck. he raised his rear legs up in the early stage of bolting. However, the deer stopped this motion when he discovered I was gazing into his eyes. his first reaction was to freeze.                                                                DSC_0010 DSC_0009   Later into the hunt I spotted another buck with a wide spread in antler width. the seven-point allowed a few photos, but brush and movement didn’t permit the best shots.                                                               DSC_0017 Some interesting sites of these two days were: Watched a squirrel gathering leaves for a nest; bear claw marks on beech trees; great-horned owl and a beech tree with a carving of JESUS SAVES. This was in a hollow I had not been in a quite a few years, at least that far. DSC_0001  My next hunting ventures will be sneaking around looking for a bear.

Wild grapes

Wild grapes

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Ring-billed Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Laurie and I discussed going north to the Lake Erie area for a time. We decided any trip to Presque Isle would have to be after the  labor Day holiday and not on a weekend! We, also, would watch the weather closely for comfortable and favorable weather conditions.

Lake Erie

Lake Erie

Well, Thursday and Friday (September 25 and 26) looked very good so we quickly made a decision to “move ’em out”!

Gull Point Trail area

Gull Point Trail area

As per my usual mode of travel, I elected to drive rural roads to see the sights and avoid the hectic driving conditions common to those four-lane expressways as much as practical. The routes chosen allowed us to see some turkeys and a bald eagle. this was Laurie’s first sighting of a majestic bald eagle. We were able to see the grand bird up close as well.                                                          DSC_0035 Prior to our time at the peninsula of Presque isle we visited the Erie Zoo. We spent about one and a half hours on the site, We, both, commented how much better the Pittsburgh Zoo is, however,  the Erie Zoo is under renovations. DSC_0031  Presque Isle is a peninsula jutting out from  the mainland of Erie, Pennsylvania. The ecosystem is diverse with, at least, six variances. many species of birds and mammals inhabit the area shorelines. Some areas host huge oaks; others yield wetland species and the shores have typical low beach-like vegetation. During the War of 1812 with Great Britain, Commodore Oliver Perry defeated the British here.    DSC_0043 The cautious drive along the peninsula allowed ample time to look around. A monument to Oliver Perry stands along the shore as a memorial. The lands have a few lighthouses too. The lighthouse shown here was built in 1872.

Presque Isle Lighthouse

Presque Isle Lighthouse

The first trail we hiked was the 1.5 mile Gull point Trail. This trail is located at the furthest-most point of the peninsula. The trail begins with dense understory vegetation with domineering eastern cottonwood tress and ends with sandy-like beaches with,  mostly, grasses and low shrubs. The sand proved difficult to walk in.  Much of the area is roped off to protect various nesting birds and endangered species as well.        DSC_0039 As we approached the last half mile, or so, of the hike bird life began to become very abundant. We saw many gulls and cormorants flying everywhere. The one specie of gull I recognized was the Ring-billed Gull. At the trail’s end an observation post has been erected. We. literally, saw hundreds of birds along the shoreline and flying about. We saw Great-Blue Herons as well. At this site, lake Erie is on three sides of us. DSC_0058  There were plenty of boats and sail boats noticeable on the lake. Some were barely visible. A constant wind was present and the waves were forever heard as a soothing sound.

Map Turtles

Map Turtles

We spent much time walking and enjoying the beaches and woods. One little boy was really having a time swinging a stick at the waves as they approached him. We saw map turtles sunning themselves on logs in boggy areas. DSC_0053Unfortunately, as evening approached I realized and old familiar pain in my left leg. By hotel time the pain had increased. I remembered the leg issues last year at this time with checks for a clot and breakage, four days on crutches and therapy.                                                DSC_0029 We really enjoyed our time together on Presque isle. This is my, third or, fourth trip visiting the lake. The following morning we hiked the Erie Bluffs. This will be the next entry here.                                         DSC_0033

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Porcupine

Porcupine

Porcupine

Recently, I gathered up some fishing gear and left    DSC_0062early to go and fish at Lock #8 north of Kittanning. I imagined now that the rains had a chance to slow the Allegheny River should be in a good condition to fish. Well, sorta..kinda! I entered the site about 6:30 A.M. and another fisherman was present. The water was being “let out” at that hydroelectric plant thus we had fast-moving and churning water.                                               DSC_0052

DSC_0049   The fisherman had been on site for about fifteen minutes. He said the water was calm as glass until the moments prior to my arrival. I threw in a baited hook and after about ten minutes I retrieved the line. Time for a hike!

DSC_0060 The hike was perfect. the temperatures were still comfortable at this hour. I saw plenty of wildlife during my excursion. I saw six deer; a ‘coon; a rabbit and some squirrels. I saw a flock of turkeys on the railroad tracks too.

A mussel.

A mussel.

 

Sassafras seeds/berries

Sassafras seeds/berries

The highlight of the morning was the sight of a porcupine. I was able to get quite close to the prickly little guy. He immediately chose to get into his defensive posture once I became  known to the ‘pine.

DSC_0057  After, a few minutes to take photos and observe the porky. He/she decided it had had enough of the foul- smelling human and departed to a tree.

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A beautiful sunrise!

A beautiful sunrise!

I sat and watched the morning sky become illuminated as I heard a gobbler sound off across the hollow and road. I waited for five more minutes hoping  I would hear another much closer. I failed to do so. I began to go back down the hill I had just climbed and try to get to the gobbler before he left the roost and get a set up to call him in.

Porcupine

Porcupine

I set down and called and I heard nothing in return. I waited and believed I heard a gobble way out across the field. I slowly began a tour of the area with calling and listening.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

I saw some movement and noticed a nice-sized porcupine. Most of my  photos were blurred in that gloomy, dark time. As I circled around I heard a hen calling back to my turkey calls. I set up and she came in and close just chattering away. I hoped a gobbler would tag along behind her. None did!

This deer almost walked into me!

This deer almost walked into me!

I saw plenty of deer and squirrels as I continued sneaking and calling when I heard it… a gobble from above me. I moved in and set up and gave a series of calls and waited. The big gobbler  crept close gobbling and strutting. I could hear his drumming sounds as the gap narrowed.

DSC_0026   He moved very slowly as I watched his approach. He was being cautious! The gobbler stepped behind some young maples and I waited for his next step. The thirty-eight yard shot dropped the bird and my first tag was filled.

The bird was a two year old with one spur being 7/8 of an inch and the other spur was exactly one inch. The beard was nine inches in length. However, the weight was unexpected. The bird was just a couple of ounces shy of being 23 pounds.

My mother, Ruth struggling!

My mother, Ruth struggling!

DSC_0028

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DSC_0010    I won’t be able to hunt gobblers this coming   DSC_0011Saturday. May 3, 2014 is the first day and I have committed to play some contemporary gospel music at an event at Dayton, Pennsylvania. The event is called the Christian Sports International. Seeing a gobbler like this one drives that fact home.

two of three Jakes in this small flock.

two of three Jakes in this small flock.

DSC_0012                                                                                                                           DSC_0015

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The Badlands

The Badlands

The Indians claimed this area of South Dakota to be “bad lands” hence the name. I have to admit as a Pennsylvania boy I am used to lush greenery. My home lands here do not compare with the countless acres of Badlands. But the Badlands do have a strange beauty about them.

Note layers of stone and vulture

Note layers of stone and vulture

The Badlands are primarily a barren, arid, sandstone and rock piece of real estate. There is little vegetation around in the immediate Badlands. However, there are grassy, prairie-like plants on the places where erosion hadn’t washed away any amount of top soil.                                                      DSC_0320

The day we were visiting them the temperature was 104 degrees. I imagined early native and trappers traveling along. I, easily, envisioned outlaws heading into and among the massive eroded slopes and rocks.  Deep, steep hills and gullies make up the Badlands. How does anything survive? How did anyone exist here?                                                                                                                                    DSC_0323

IMG_1462  I watched a turkey vulture soaring about with its shallow V-shaped wing position. Rattlesnakes are living here as well. I hoped to see one for photographs, but, I failed to see any of the ratting serpents. Other wildlife species survive and exist within this bleak-looking landscape.

The rock formations yield an array of colors. One can see whites, yellows, reds, blues, purples, browns and pinks depending on the time of day and sun positions.                                                  IMG_1497                                                     IMG_1464

As we traveled about the loneliness of the badlands began shaping more into grassy, yet treeless areas. Erosion had not reached these places. We noticed the white earthen mounds scattered about . these sometimes would cover acres of ground. We were witnessing Prairie Dog colonies.

I don’t know why these little groundhog-like mammals intrigued us so, but we were exited to see them. We really wanted to see them up close and when we stopped at a close colony we did just that.

Prairie Dogs

Prairie Dogs

We immediately could see a lot of Prairie dogs. Occasionally, one would, while standing, arch its back and pull the head backwards and give out a squealing type of bark.                                                  DSC_0337

DSC_0338  One Prairie Dog, upon seeing me, walked up to me to gnaw on my shoe. I moved away allowing the little guy to approach Laurie. He did the same thing until the teeth started towards  the shoestrings. We backed off.

Two predators of Prairie Dogs are the rattlesnake and the Black-Footed Ferret. The ferret was once believed to extinct until some were found in Wyoming in 1981. Reintroduction programs appear to be promising. Let us hope so!

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DSC_0003   I have heard of Yellowstone all of my life. I never expected to actually make a trip to see the United states first national park. The park was established in 1872 and has around 2.2 million acres of, mostly forest and grassy lands. Pines, namely Lodgepole Pines are the dominant specie of evergreens.

New growth

New growth

Just as the Grand Tetons, many species of wildlife make this land their own. Of course, bear and wolves are present here, as well as, bison, elk and mule deer.

Badly burned area

Badly burned area

Chipmunk

Chipmunk

The most well-known river is the Yellowstone River. This waterways flows approximately twenty miles through the park. The Yellowstone Lake is, also, found within the park’s boundaries. (A separate entry will be written on the lake.) 

Falls

Falls

The river yields to some great, scenic views, namely the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Two waterfalls are predominate here. The Upper Falls is 109 feet high and the Lower Falls is 308 feet high. They are spectacular to see. The canyon formed by these waters is steep and high with a host of beautiful colors. The colors vary in regards to the how the sun strikes their surfaces. We stood in awe at the breath-taking view!

Coyote

Coyote

Pine Marten

Pine Marten

Laurie and I were walking along a trail when a reddish-brown streak went streaking by. I recognized the mammal immediately as a Pine Marten. The speed and terrain allowed for several quick photos, but none are of the quality I would have liked. the little guy just wouldn’t turn for me! (Laurie saw one earlier near the lodge and said she saw an animal that resembled a small fox. It was a marten.)                                  IMG_1197                          

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Natives inhabited this land in times past. the Kiowa; Blackfeet; Crow and Shoshone are better known names. I can imagine these people struggling with the elements of this potentially harsh winter climate. The park shuts down many aspects of the park from around November til May due to the deep snows.

Wyoming state law prohibits getting closer than 25 yards to bison and 100 yards to wolves and bear. I would find myself breaking this law more than once over the two days here. however, all encounters like this were totally by chance and unintentional.                                                                                            IMG_1199

Indian Paintbrush

Indian Paintbrush

Native wild flowers abound in the park. Spring would be wonderful to see I am sure. Several species I found were the Mexican Hat; Wild Lupine and Indian Paintbrush.

The pine forests are dominant as I said earlier. however, many acres were burned at various times. The fire of 1988 burned the most acreage. The remnants of this fire can be witnessed throughout the park with charred limbless trees and downed logs. Over twenty years later a young forest is emerging and growing.

The bear...sorry!

The bear…sorry!

Sunrise

Sunrise

One morning, I exited the lodge at 5:40 to work towards a T-intersection of mixed forest and grassy lands. Yesterday, we had seen some cow elk feeding and I hoped to se a bull early this morning. this intersection was over a mile away.

I eventually entered the woods for a personal experience. I adjusted the camera for some flower photos. I entered the roadway again and walked a short distance when twenty paces ahead and to my right a big black bear emerged from the pine growth. I fumbled for some pics and I was disappointed to get one clear photo. however, the bruin was entering the woods again and my whistles were ignored. The big guy’s head was behind the greens. Oh well, I am including the shot!                                                  DSC_0158

DSC_0123  I, eventually entered the woods again and heard an elk bugling a few hundred yards away. I circled the grassy areas but never say the elk. On my return towards the lodge, I spotted a large bull elk with dangling and bloody velvet on his antlers.

We saw bison, mule deer, pronghorns and a coyote this day.

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DSC_0227  What event to view nature could be better that a ten-mile float trip on the Snake River? Fortunately for us, this is not a Class 5 float!!    DSC_0225

Immediately, upon entering the Snake River an eagle was observed. The mature bird was settled on a bluff’s edge with his wings slightly opened to dry off.  The rest of the trip just had to be a good one!

The Snake River consists of clear, cold water favorable to fish species such as the native Cutthroat Trout. Our native trout in Pennsylvania is the Brook trout. Eagles, otters and osprey prey on these trout when opportunity exists. This might be why the eagle was drying out. The bird may have attempted to catch a trout.                                                                              DSC_0281

The float guide knew the waters well as we drifted south. We were all in constant state of alertness for various wildlife species. We wouldn’t be disappointed! In total we saw seven different bald eagles including one immature eagle of the year. the big birds seemed to tolerate us very well.

Pronghorn

Pronghorn

Bald eagles

Bald eagles

We continued on and suddenly we saw a young bull moose. What a thrill this was! Unfortunately, the vegetation did not allow for any quality photos. Fishermen, farther along, reported just seeing a cow elk, but she had disappeared.

Other bird species observed were Common Mergansers, a sandpiper and Canada geese. We saw a raccoon looking for food along the water’s edge. the ‘coon didn’t seem concerned our presence at all.

Bull Moose

Bull Moose

A small heard of pronghorn antelopes  were grazing in the lush grasses. They allowed  several photos.

Immature Eagle

Immature Eagle

DSC_0274 So, with seeing all of these varied species of wildlife with the majestic Grand Tetons contrasting the green pines how could we have asked for anything else!

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Love Spring!

I love the spring season.

Beautiful Pennsylvania!

Beautiful Pennsylvania!

DSC_0019     I was enjoying a cool foggy morning at the game lands. The atmosphere created by a fog has always provided me with some feelings in awe.  However, once conditions are met the grays can rapidly dissapate.This was the case this morning. As the time climbed to 9:30 any remnants of fog were practically gone.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          DSC_0032

I saw two turkeys in the fog. I managed one quick shot. Later I saw a hen and had the privilege to watch her dusting herself  on an old gas well road. I watched her antics for a good five minutes before I decided to proceed with my walk. She quickly spotted my movements and walked away, slightly confused as to how I managed to get so close without her eyes capturing me!

Purple Trillium

Purple Trillium

Nice beard!

Nice beard!

I witnessed two cottontail rabbits and some squirrels too. Approximately 10:30, I was walking a farming road approaching a field when three gobblers came running towards me. I was trapped! the first one spotted me and stopped at attention. the others stopped two and after a couple of minutes the trio exited back in the direction they came.

I walked a woodland area where I had found some morels in the past. I didn’t find any, but to be fair, sometimes I have difficulty concentrating on the ‘rooms with so much to observe.

I saw a turtle’s head peering from a pond and a couple of carp. I might need to go fishing soon for them.                                                 DSC_0018

Dusting hen

Dusting hen

Hen turkey

Hen turkey

Yesterday, April 25th, my step father, Bob and I went for a morning walk. We saw about eight turkeys. Earlier I had seen two strutters and three hens and two deer. Yes, I love spring!

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Spring-like Day!!!

Spring Beauty

Spring Beauty

The weatherman had, originally, forecasted rain on Wednesday, April 17, and the early skies were gray in a cloud cover. The morning began to open up and blue sky became prominent. The temperature climbed rapidly too.

Bullfrog

Bullfrog

I walked earlier in and around West Kittanning, Pennsylvania before deciding a further woodland jaunt might be required of me. I loaded up with some buckets and a shovel along with a bird house I made recently and the last remaining deer rib cage. (The crows missed their meat supplement during the afternoon.)

I went to a hunting and hiking haunt of mine. here I disposed of the rib cage in the woods so through time it would, once again, become part of nature. I walked up hill to a field and erected the bird box. I circled the ridge top and flushed a hen turkey. I became concerned of chasing her from a nest. I searched about and didn’t discover any eggs. Hen turkeys may abandon a nest prior to incubation. They do not begin to incubate until the entire cutch has been laid over a period of days. I saw two deer here too.

The old building

The old building

I moved deeper south along the Cherry Run Watershed before climbing another long, but gradual climb to the fields on top. I hoped maybe a strutting gobbler may still be out despite the warming day. Another plan of this particular hike was to check for remaining hepatica flowers among a certain slope. This wild flower was blooming at my home. Last spring I removed many of these flowers to transplant prior to a future coal stripping operation. I must have done a complete job since I failed to see any.

Curious deer

Curious deer

I saw five deer on this excursion and later saw two more. Two of these deer spotted me and approached me with their tail hairs flared. This was fine until the breeze suddenly changed towards them…Good bye! One small pond yielded many frogs. I enjoyed watching them for a time. I saw a red-tailed hawk and some vultures and my first of the season spring bird; the Rufous-sided Towhee.

DSC_0024  This morning while going towards my old homestead I saw two separate hens and two very nice gobblers. I was walking along Rupp Run. this is a tributary to Garrett’s Run which,h in turn, flows into the Allegheny River.

Green frog

Green frog

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