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Archive for the ‘Wildlife’ Category

Succop Nature Park

Posted in Hikes, Misc. Nature, Wildlife on April 23, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Laurie the tree hugger.

Laurie found out about this nature park and suggested we visit and hike the trails and explore. The park is called the Succop Nature Park and is located south of Butler, Pennsylvania.

We noticed a lot of children standing around in preparation for some guided tour. We had forgotten about this day being the annual Earth Day. We went in the opposite direction on a hike. We quickly learned of what lots of rain can do… create muddy areas. This fact would dampen the hiking for we continued but via different routes looking for dry trails.

The walking would bring us along two ponds. Here we would see bluegills, large koi fish, Wood Ducks and turtles. I saw some deer and squirrels, as well, but obviously not on the ponds…haha.

Lots of birch trees in the area.

The park, although small in acres, has a hundred-and seventy-year-old historic mansion on it. The site is used for events, such as weddings. The park is owned by the Audobon Society of Western Pennsylvania. Their web site is: http://www.aswp.org

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Some Times in the Woods

Posted in Hikes, Misc. Nature, Wildlife on April 15, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I have been out on hiking excursions as much as possible. I find with retirement I seem to have a lot going on. Here are some photos from these adventures.

Golden-crowned Kinglet.

These little birds can be difficult to catch in photos. they continually dart back and forth. Occasionally one gets the shot in the millisecond prior to the bird’s movement.

Turkey Vulture

Chestnut burr

Devil’s Walking Stick or Hercules Club

This tree has a covering of very sharp thorns covering the trunk thus the common names. If you ever reach for one without recognizing it be prepared for some intense pain. Birds love the purple autumn berries, as do the Black Bear.

Early spring greening!

This bottom photo requires some explanation. All the gray hues in the background is the water. This limb you are viewing is actually a refection on the water. The image is weird to observe until you know what had happened. The limb has broken off the main branch and is hanging over the water by a length of monofilament fishing line thus allowing for an eerie looking reflection.

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Trout Fishing and A Goose Adventure

Posted in Fishing, Misc. Nature, Wildlife on April 15, 2022| Leave a Comment »

The morning was to be a nice one and I left early to try my hand with some trout fishing. (Later rain came but I had already quit fishing.) The stream was colored but not muddy and fast, but not overly rapid. Recent rains have been keeping the waters moving. The area I stopped initially showed much evidence of others at the stream’s edge. My attempts failed to catch any trout. Fishing pressure appeared hard everywhere I checked.

I moved to another area and found lots of evidence of fishing pressure including tents and such. I never had a hit in the two hours I fished so exploration was a must. I hadn’t traveled far when I saw a good on a small island rise up. Her nest was obvious, and I walked to the site for some photos. Ma and Pa Goose were very vocal about my presence. I continued upstream for a bit, and they believed their luring me away had been successful.

Although I failed to snag onto any trout, I definitely enjoyed my time out. I saw some deer, six turkeys and lots of squirrels.

Downed-lined Canada Goose nest.

Skunk Cabbage

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Strong Winds, Cold Temps and Snow

Posted in Misc. Nature, Wildlife on March 13, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Upon wakening up on the morning of March 12 I quickly observed the snow-covered landscape. Yesterday, the temperatures reached into the fifty-degree range and this morning six to seven inches of snow could be viewed on the picnic table on the deck. Also, very windy gusts were the norm throughout the day. I would see many snow tornadoes throughout the walk.

i worked on a painting over the morning hours but felt the urge to dress accordingly and go for a walk. The urge overcame the warmth of the house and off I went for a trek.

White-throated Sparrow

The walk would prove to be productive one as far as seeing wildlife. I saw a flock of about seven gobblers scratching on a southern slope. I tried to get closer for some photos, but the birds would not have it. Later, I would see three “jakes” and take a few quick shots. These birds were not part od the gobbler flock.

In a secluded hollow seven or eight deer busted from the cover.

Water flowing under shallow ice.

I glanced up to see my first Turkey Vulture of the year. The bird circled me a few times hoping the old coot would drop. Finding food under snow isn’t easy for buzzards. Another bird observed was the male, Rufous-sided Towhee. He was thinking, no doubt, he should have stayed over a few nights farther south during the migration. I heard a few killdeers flying high. This specie has been around for a few weeks.

I would see many robins throughout the venture. The snow made searching for food on the ground difficulty. I dragged my foot along at times to open up the ground.

Hungry Robin

Typical of March were the quick changes in weather. One moment the sun would be shining with abundant blue skies and in seconds cloud cover would occur followed by brief snow squalls.

I was chilled at times. especially while in the windier areas, but overall, I was comfortable and enjoyed the time afield.

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Annual Late Winter Hike

Posted in Hikes, Wildlife on March 2, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Frank “Muskie” Maus and I conducted our annual late winter hike on this morning. We have been doing this event for a number of years and look forward to the time together to “catch-up” on things and retell many old “work-related” stories.

This particular morning was in the upper twenties with heavy fog, however, that fog seemed to disappear amazingly fast as we trekked along our journey of the day. This was new country for both of us as far as hiking, but still within areas we have known about for years.

Sun filtering through the fog onto the water.

On one side would be the mighty Allegheny River and on the other side was rocks, and big ones, and steep hills. We were amazed at the sizes of the rock formations not realizing there were rocks in this area.

The exploration time afield yielded various wildlife. We saw two Bald eagles and one on the nest. Other wildlife included: Killdeer; lots of Canada Geese; Common and Hooded Mergansers; Bufflehead Ducks; two deer; Fox and Grey Squirrels and various hawks.

Bufflehead Duck

Our conversations have taken a new turn in recent years and that is our aging ailments. HaHa. Yes, we are growing old having known each other since the mid-seventies. Always a joy for our time together to laugh and remember.

Killdeer

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More Photos From the After Big Freeze Walk (2)

Posted in Hikes, Misc. Nature, Wildlife on January 31, 2022| 2 Comments »

Red Squirrel

Sycamore Tree

Deer feeding

Bobber in tree…last year?

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After the Big Freeze Walk

Posted in Hikes, Misc. Nature, Wildlife on January 31, 2022| Leave a Comment »

The last month has had a share of cold weather. Temperatures have been cold and very recently those temps have dropped into the single digits and even below zero. Strong winds have been the norm very often further increasing the cold weather into a Big Freeze!

Today the single digit numbers quickly moved into the twenty degrees and at 22 degrees I decided to head off for a walk. To further add to the comfort the winds were ceased.

Many deer tracks

Armed with my camera, I began the hike to see what wildlife I would see and what other wintry things I would observe. Deer tracks were everywhere, and I mean everywhere. The snow depth of nine or ten inches and the cold had forced the deer to move a lot searching for food. Interestingly I would only see a few deer throughout my travels.

Much of the water was frozen over with the exceptions of the faster moving water. Here I watched for Bald Eagles and various species of waterfowl. The species I witnessed this day are as follows: Canada geese, mallards, Black Ducks; Common Mergansers and the Redhead Duck. I do not see many Redhead Ducks in my area.

Female Common Merganser

Redhead Duck

Canada Goose tracks

Of course, I saw a lot of small bird life. I saw six or more Eastern Bluebirds. One female allowed for a few photos. The males were not as easy to approach close. the few that did always seemed to be among brush thus not allowing a good pic.

Eastern Bluebird (Female)

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Leftover Deer

Posted in Wildlife on November 30, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Red-tailed Hawk

I have a tradition from many years of supplying the local wildlife at the house with some grub. I take the ribcages from my harvested deer and place within tree limbs. I stand in amazement just how quickly the backyard wildlife takes advantage of this fresh supply of meat.

Red-shouldered Hawk

Yesterday, I harvested a deer. early this morning at dawn I carried the ribcage to the back yard. Within several minutes I began hearing crows in the trees announcing breakfast. However, before long a Red-shouldered Hawk was photographed upon the carcass. Later the crows began devouring. I spent time in Butler and upon arriving home a Red-tailed Hawk was eating his fill.

I have seen a Cooper’s Hawk several times after birds at the feeder.

Many species of small birds enjoy eating from this food source over the winter.

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Last Day of 2021 Pennsylvania Bear Season

Posted in Misc. Nature, PA Bear Hunting, Wildlife on November 23, 2021| Leave a Comment »

A white dusting appeared over the landscape overnight. The snow was from the lake-effect winds over the Lake Erie. There was enough to help see better, but not enough to track any game.

I visited a property I had last been at, possibly, ten years ago. There had been changes. Much clear cutting was observed and rather recent. This will be a nightmare to maneuver in a couple of years as the brush covers the land.

As I walked in, I began to hear shouts on the next hill. Bear hunters were beginning to put on a bear drive. I decided to move away from their hunt and moved in a northerly direction. I soon remembered I had not been in this direction before so my venture would be an exploratory jaunt.

I still hunted up a hollow hoping to see a black beauty coming into the woods from a night of foraging in the cornfields. No such luck! t wouldn’t be long until I was exploring more than hunting.

A dusting of snow.

I walked upon about six ringneck pheasants. I would see a couple of squirrels and that would be it. Very weird is the fact that this morning and yesterday’s morning were void of deer sightings. It is extremely rare to not see any deer.

As the snow melted with direct sunlight, I reached the northern-most end of these lands and returned south via a different route. I told my wife I was only going to hunt about half-a-day because I needed to accomplish some things prior to Thanksgiving. Family would be coming to indulge at our place.

My venture this morning taught more about these lands for future bear seasons.

Male pheasant close-up.

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Exploration and 2021 Regular Bear Season

Posted in PA Bear Hunting, Wildlife on November 21, 2021| Leave a Comment »

November 20 was the beginning of the 2021 Pennsylvania Bear Season. I was undecided as to where to try my luck, however, I knew of a small parcel of land in the Pennsylvania game Commission state game lands system. This land is a separate part of a local state game lands , but is less than thirteen acres in size. I had never visited this small land area and decided I would check it out on the first day and, at least, explore and see what was to be found.

I stopped at the dead end road at the site at daybreak and began an upward trek. I would learn that 98% of this game lands is steep hillside. The site is a beautiful piece of land with mixed deciduous and hemlock trees about. All surrounding areas are heavily posted. I could have sat down to hunt hoping on the luck factor of a bear traveling from the surrounded forests, but I elected to move westerly to the larger game lands. My curiosity had been satisfied.

I was almost at the parking site at the other game lands when I saw a game warden pull out ahead. We waved and I pulled behind a car with someone inside. I assumed he was a bear hunter and wanted to see if he was done hunting. He was done! He just received a citation for hunting deer with archery. He wrongly believed this was the last day of the deer archery season. He was in good spirits and realized his error.

I would tramp around until two-thirty in the afternoon hoping to still hunt upon a bear. It “tweren’t” to happen this day.

An old rusted bucket from the mining days.

The areas of northern Armstrong County are steep, hill hills and the old legs pushed on despite the discomfort, but I did well considering my age.

I had some deer sightings, a flock of turkeys, Grey and Fox Squirrels, Ravens and many species of birdlife. It was a great day.

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