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.
Of course, the gobbling was on the next hill again. I crossed over after the birds had quit gobbling. (Theyonly gobbled maybe eight times each.) I felt confident once I arrived, I would be able to spark a conversation. I think they invoked the Fifth amendment for I would never spark any responses from either bird.
However, I did find a fawn curled up in hiding I suppose. I took some photos.
The allergies hit me hard, so I moved around the hill to get to the jeep and head home. I hate the allergies. I won’t be hunting tomorrow.
Dogwood Blossom(The Dogwwod blossoms are early this year as is the leaf out of the trees.)
The season is upon me. I walked through the dim grays of the first morning in a state of wonderment. I wondered if I was going to become sick as last year’s season. I wondered if I would hear or see any gobbles this morning. I wondered what the poor people are doing today. ha-ha
I set up along a field’s edge to listen for roosting birds. I didn’t need long to wait. I heard gobblers at 5:45 to my left. Another across the field in the woods sounded off. This could be an interesting morning.
I made a move to close the distance on the birds on my left. I called and was immediately answered. I glanced at my watch and the time was 6:00. I looked up and two gobblers entered into the field at about forty yards, maybe less. I couldn’t see their beards for the field grasses were high. The two stopped in the field gobbling and strutting. I continued working with them and they approached a little. I mindfully said just ten more yards…
As what often happens with turkey hunting, the birds began t leave the area. they would still gobble. They were doing what they are programed to do…gobble and strut and have the hens come to them. I couldn’t move so they tired of the game.
Hepatica
Later I began a call and listen approach while searching for Morel mushrooms. I fortunately found a lunch for the next day.
Morel Mushroom
I later stimulated the gobbler across the road now, but unfortunately, I had to walk away for a commitment at the Armstrong County Historical Society Museum.
Interestingly, I saw a Bobwhite Quail this day. I suspect someone nearby maybe raises them.
May 5, 2024
I hoped to hear the gobblers this second morning with a little better strategy. I heard nothing as the rain began pre-dawn. I became wet but stayed out most of the morning by walking ad calling hoping to stir up an anxious gobbler. Nothing!
I found a baby porcupine and was lucky to obtain a few photos. Also, I saw a Barred Owl.
Baby Porcupine
May 7, 2024
I was disappointed to not hear any turkeys on the third day. I went to a secondary place at around 9:30 and could not get a reply to my calling. I did find a Box Turtle.
Squawroot
May 8, 2024
The gobbling began at 5:30 across the road and upslope. I moved fast and managed to get behind the birds at their level. The birds circled me on a flat. I couldn’t see them, but they were close. In time they seemed to be leaving until I changed calls. That brought them back towards me. I quickly realized two large trees between us might be a problem.
The lead gobbler stepped out followed by a strutter. The lead bird began putting and I messed up and missed. I am not sure what all may have happened. I did have bifocal glasses on, and it was still dark in the woods. Whatever, I missed. In all my years of hunting turkeys this would be only the second time I have missed a spring gobbler. I was disappointed!
I left to go farther south and as I called at the summit two gobblers answered me. Surprisingly, each time I called they replied and moved. The two gobblers were on the opposite hill. they angled downslope, crossed a gulley with a stream and came up the hill I was on. I was ready until a hen appeared and went to the birds. They answered my calls some but not as enthusiastically. Oh well!
I crossed down the hill and up the other side. I saw a gobbler way off walking along a fence line. I was almost to the top of this hill when I heard a distant gobbler twice. However, they saw my approach.
Later I went into the woods and received an answer across a hollow. I played with those two gobblers until 11:50. Quitting time is noon. the birds kept walking along the hill, and I followed. I believe they were with a hen, and she was leading them away. I got back to the jeep at 12:45, warm and tired.
Turkey Egg
May 9, 2024
I heard the first gobbles at 5:25 A.M. The bird talked with three or four gobbles. Unfortunately, he was deep in posted property. I crossed the road and went up the hill following the borders. I tried to get a reply, but he was, no doubt, on the next hill. I hoped he might hear and come. I left and went to a site south trying for a repeat of yesterday morning’s event. I heard a gobbler far off inside property I didn’t have access with. he gobbled maybe six times.
I crossed the deep hollow and up the next hill hoping here to have a repeat performance. I did have a reply around 10:15 and began moving in. It didn’t take long to realize hen(s) were involved again. She, apparently, kept walking away from her competitor. (Me). They eventually crossed a road, and the time was 11: 15. I began the mile long trek to the jeep.
Deer were everywhere this day. Most have their red summer hair, but not all of them do. I would see a raccoon and rabbit too.
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.
Recently, Laurie and I took some time off to visit the great state of West Virginia. To be more specific, we stayed at the Stonewall Resort obviously named after the Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. We visited the Stonewall Jackson dam, too.
The resort is quite a nice place. Some of the features I particularly enjoyed were the over water boardwalk and local trails. Deer would be outside our window feeding and being totally at ease. I heard a gobbler across the lake one morning. Canada Geese and Mallards were on the lake all times.
The Boardwalk
Laurie and I were supplied with those special glasses to observe the solar eclipse. It was about 98% coverage at our area. We were on the terrace at the time enjoying the day during the eclipse.
The view from our window.
The one trail we hiked was a 3.2-mile venture. The Laurel Brooke Trail circled Carrion Bay.
We had a lunch of fire-baked pizza at the Lambert Winery near Weston, West Virginia. The chapel on site was underground.
The Chapel.
Waiting for our pizza!
Boardwalk on lake.
Early morning walk at the resort.
Northern Waterthrush
Female Eastern Bluebird
Chipping Sparrow
I easily saw the stereotype of Appalachia was correct upon seeing the many homes stuck at random along the hillside. Many homes looked in need of some care.
I went to surgeon’s office to have my hand’s stitches removed this morning. Once home and realizing the day was to be nice a decision to walk. became reality. I thought for a moment before heading to where a small community once existed. That place was Kelly Station.
I hadn’t been in the area for quite some time. the Rails To trails people have been doing a great job preparing the trail for use. One site I hoped to see was an island where a Bald eagle nest exists. I spotted the eagle’s nest two years ago but from the other side of the river. Th e nest was harder to find initially but I eventually spotted it among the limns of a Sycamore tree. An adult Bald eagle was on the nest. I struggled to find a place where I might get a decent photo. Lots of limbs made any clarity difficult.
I continued hiking and estimated around seven miles where walked this day. I know the old knees were feeling some discomfort, but I pushed on.
I saw four deer this day. I saw a small flock of turkeys on a right-a-way. Along the river I would see a lot of Canada Geese, a pair of Hooded Mergansers and a pair of Wood Ducks. I watched a flock of circling Turkey Vultures a few times. I wouldn’t fall over. Tough on them…
I did see some Gray and Fox Squirrels, too.
Old Coke Ovens
I easily saw ancient remains of coke ovens at a couple of locations. These coke ovens were in use back in the elate 1800s. I should research these to obtain other information.
The Allegheny River South of Kelly Sation.
Off and on while hiking I spent some moments working my fingers on my hand. Doc says to work them to keep them from stiffening up and to avoid scar tissue buildup.
I spent about five hours or more while on this excursion.
The above photo says much! Locally we received some snow, and I was going to hike on Saturday February 17. Snow has been scarce this winter and I hoped to get out for some photos. I talked Laurie in going on this walk and off we went for some hiking.
The sun was shining earlier but not long after our walk began the clouds rolled in fast along with high winds and snow squalls. These conditions would shorten the time walking. However, we did have three eagle sightings. Also, saw three Killdeers. They are back from their southern migration spots. I saw a male Marsh Hawk, too.
This afternoon after church I elected to hike again for the snow would not be around for long this week. The temperatures are to maybe reach fifty later this week.
I saw plenty of deer tracks of varying ages and would see four deer total. later I came across a flock of turkey evidence. They must have been not long before my approach. Some of the tracks showed evidence of strutting toms. The wing dragging disturbances in the snow told the story.
Wing dragging evidence.
A rare sighting occurred as I was walking. I saw a Grey Fox. I snapped some pics before moving against a spruce tree. I tried calling the mammal in but his interest in food was nil. The fox starred for a time and began walking off. Maybe looking for a mate??
I went hiking at a friend’s property this morning. I quickly realized that the deer were moving. The rutting season for deer is on and the buck were chasing the does. I would see three bucks, two of which were very nice. I took a number of photos of this nine-point. He came around a hill while in a field. It was obvious to me a doe must have moved ahead of him, for at one point he looked in the direction and his mouth was open. That is a sure sign of a buck in chase. the big boy stopped when he saw me allowing for six photos. he turned around and left the way he came.
The other buck photos were not of quality. One buck was not quite as wide as the one in the photo and the other buck had a broken antler.
I saw several turkeys and lots of squirrels. Two of the squirrels were Fox Squirrels. I, also, saw a Great Blue Heron and a Mink.
Larry A. Smail's Blog 