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Hike At Yellow Creek

September 8, 2010 by larrysmailart

   My friend, Dana Gould invited me as a guest to explore a section of Yellow Creek (Indiana County) at the Yellow Creek Trout Club property. We were there for a hike and not to fish. Due to hot temperatures and low water the trout population was in a stressed state. We saw one trout. We feared the conditions may have caused a die-off.  However, we did see bass; bluegills; carp  and one muskie. These specie can with stand warmer water temperatures. 

   The hiking was superb. The day was perfect! We walked the club property and ended at the Yellow Creek Dam and spillway. The water was low. We actually walked up and over the spillway. We saw many deer and two wood ducks. We found cub bear tracks and a rare native flower known as the closed or bottled gentian. A beautiful blue flower.   

Closed or Bottled Gentian

Other sites were the many water snakes among the  rocks normally covered with water. Crayfish were numerous in the small pockets of water. One interesting site was a beech tree clawed into by a  bear in times past.

Dana while watching me trying to photograph the wood ducks looked against a log and discovered two fishing outfits and a tackle box. They were hidden some time ago since bait fishing isn’t allowed. Apparently the person became fearful of being caught and “ditched the gear!” 

Dana Gould

To contact the club call:  724-463-2122 or e-mail:

renosky@yourinter.net

Posted in Misc. Nature, Wildlife | Leave a Comment »

Hike-Civil War

September 7, 2010 by larrysmailart

I made a short hike this morning along Red Mill Creek Road. While walking back towards my vehicle I noticed the sound of water in an unnatural way.  I paused to gaze in the direction of the sound when a 5-point buck emerged. He was walking  directly down the middle of the small stream. I watched him for 150 feet or so before he looked up and caught me in a movement.  He was within 30 yards  for most of my sighting of him. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with me.

Later in the day I had the opportunity to spend some time with my friend, Robert “Slim” Bowser. Slim is a Civil War reenactor. I took some photos for a possible future painting.  You can search his blogs by checking on the right side of blog page. Slim is a dedicated Civil War historian taking very seriously the sacrifices of the great men of honor in times past. He represents a soldier of the 62nd PA Volunteers, Company D. This unit was recruited in 1861 in Armstrong County, Pa. 

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Emlenton Trail

September 5, 2010 by larrysmailart

    Laurie and I decided to take a bike ride on such a fine fall-like afternoon. My friend, Frank told me about the bike trail along the Allegheny River at Emlenton, Pennsylvania.  He mentioned the scenic river sites.

The Allegheny River , is indeed, scenic anywhere north of  communities of East Brady through Parker and continuing northward. The waters here are much like the waters known to the natives tribes and early colonists and such. A visit to this area will quickly show a river with plenty of islands; large boulders; shallow rapid-like waters; deep colorful holes of green water; narrow and wide river sites. One will, also, see lush vegetation.     

In all we traveled 12 miles. Laurie wasn’t comfortable traveling through a tunnel that quickly lost all light. I wanted to bring along a flashlight , but forgot the device. Here we turned around. I vowed to attack the tunnel on my on some day this fall! Who knows she may decide to “git-er-done” too. 

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Latest Additions to the Art

September 3, 2010 by larrysmailart

If interested you can view my latest art additons and brief descriptions of each by clicking on the right heading…”Latest paintings” or “Something Different”. One example is shown here.

"Lifting Fog"

Posted in My Art | 4 Comments »

Fishing & Hiking

September 1, 2010 by larrysmailart

I am behind with yesterday’s muskie fishing event. I decided to place both onto one blog.

Frank Maus alias "Muskie"

Rosston Island

   We entered the waters early with a fog and comfortable temperatures.  These conditions didn’t last long. the fog quickly burned off and the day reached into the upper 80’s by the time we quit fishing. Several hours of surface casting yielded no luck. More time trolling proved to be the same.  However, we had an enjoyable time in the boat continually laughing about the days of our lives while at work… and the people we had been involved with.

We quit around 1:00 in the afternoon as the heat began to scorch us.

********************************************************************

Acorns

While visiting with Kip, I gave him back one of the box call cases. A friend from West Virginia wanted a case with the eight custom box calls from Kip. However, he wanted me to paint a  turkey to the box.  Kip will have additional information lasered onto the box for this man. Kip is planning a bear hunt later this month to West Virginia and plans to hand deliver the case. 

You may visit Kip’s web-site. He will be adding more to this site in the future. The site is: http://www.ferociouscalls.com/

Posted in Fishing, Misc. Nature, Muskie Fishing, My Art | 1 Comment »

Cross-Tie Walker

August 30, 2010 by larrysmailart

In my youth the band, Creedence Clearwater Revial recorded a song called “Cross-Tie Walker”. I remember hearing stories of the hobos of the early part of the last century walking the rails. I enjoy doing the railroad hikes also. Today, the other aspect of my trek was to observe the backwater-wetlands around the Manorville Islands. These islands are on the western-side of the Allegheny River. They always yield interesting things to see. I have seen eagles in the wetland environment.  

In short order, I saw a doe and her two fawns. Later I saw a family of wood ducks; several fox squirrels and some carp. The highlight of the day was when I heard a bird sound never heard before. I surmised immediately a bird of prey…possibly a young eagle. I searched the trees for the source when I glimpsed a hint of brown. I continued along and heard the sound again. I readied my camera when an osprey suddenly left the sycamore tree and headed towards the main river. I failed to get the shot.

The terrain along these wetlands is comprised of down trees and many specie of flowers. Most are averaged at five feet or more tall.  Walking can be interesting through this maze of underbrush.

 One observation I have encountered, with regards to wetlands, is the fact that people will stand in awe at places such as Cook Forest; Presque Isle and Moraine State Park at wetland beauty but destroy the same  on their properties.The wetland bordering my property is being removed presently. I have planted marsh marigolds; cattails and skunk cabbage to enhance the abused habitat. Many years ago I captured some spring peepers and stocked them here since at that time they were absent. Others don’t see the beauty I see. I vowed when this wetland removal began some years ago that I would increase mine to compensate the habitat loss. I guess my second phase will begin when the weather becomes more “planting friendly“. We have had little rain in two months. 

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Foggy Morning Hike

August 27, 2010 by larrysmailart

Foggy sun

I left the house early while the fog was heavy along the Allegheny River and intersecting hollows. The air was clean and cool and I determined a few hours would be just what I needed to allow the stress to escape into the atmosphere.               

The climb through the hemlock rich northern slope was beautiful with fog and hints of light filtering through the canopy. I anxiously  continued on pondering what critters I may encounter. The morn was a success as far as I was concerned. Any day afield is a day of joy. It wasn’t long when I rounded a bend and spotted a doe with her two fawns feeding along. Unfortunately, she spotted me fumbling with my camera and sounded the alarm. I had eight deer sightings by the time my three-hour hike was completed.

While searching for anything worth viewing, among berry-laden autumn -olive groves I heard the “honking” of geese. I prepared the camera, but the V-shaped flock rapidly flew across just above the tree-tops. Their speed and the uncertainty, as to where, they would show failed me a photo.

Thousands upon thousands of dew-rich spider webs covered every step I took. My father would comment  on the various colored spiders as we walked in years past. When I was 4 or 5 I walked behind the house and gazed at my small torso and a huge garden spider that was twenty inches in size was walking on me! I quickly brushed it off and ran screaming to the house. Today, I do not kill spiders around the house. ( I remove them from within the house whenever possible.) I understand their good qualities of “bug” control. However, I do respect them because of my youthful experience. 

The webs sparkled with prism-like rainbows as the sun gradually burned off the dew. These creatures are surely amazing.

Eventually, I approached some corn fields. Wow, lots of damage from bear. I imagined a sow and cubs romping around playing and eating on the corn. They can do much damage!   

bear damage

I noticed plenty of various fungi throughout the woods. I watched for “sheephead” mushrooms, but, I didn’t see any. The hike ended after 10:00 with chores and art to work on. (By the way, that twenty inch spider was less than two inches across. It seemed that big to a small boy.)

Posted in Butterflies and Insects, Misc. Nature | Leave a Comment »

Biking

August 18, 2010 by larrysmailart

My "Harley-Honda"

I enjoy riding bikes. The only negative aspect for me is  after peddling along the trails for a time I have some discomfort on the back side, if you know what I mean. (Proper attire would aid with this discomfort, but I don’t feel very beautiful in spandex.)

 I often take time to ride between Kittanning and Rosston and back. The round trip is approximately 10 miles I have been told. The pluses are the ability to see friends and stop and chat with and to view the beautiful Allegheny River with the floral and wildlife that abounds along those waters. Also, I get some exercise. That can’t be a bad thing.

Fort Armstrong was near Fort Run (Manorville)

Foggy Morn at Rosston

I occasionally bike on the Freeport Trail and north of Kittanning too. I would like to visit the trail at Emlenton soon. I hear the beauty is awesome along the river and a tunnel is present. I don’t know why going there is such a problem for me. Retired people have so many things on their agenda ya know!

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Pennsylvania Big Game Series

August 9, 2010 by larrysmailart

ASPEN GOLD- ELK

Last year on the first day of the Pennsylvania regular deer season I was setting in a pine forest enjoying all nature had to offer. I was doodling down any ideas that came to thought within my feeble mind. As I sketched a White Pine the idea to do a wildlife series emerged among the grey matter that many refer to as a brain. The early results from that day were a sketch of a white-tail buck with a white pine. The interesting concept was that this series was to each be painted with much white as a background. Normally, a painting would be completely covered with painted background.

DENNING TIME- BLACK BEAR

Also, I would choose a strong upright with each painting. The elk painting has an aspen for strength; the turkey art yields to a beech tree and the bear has an  oak. I have another series painting in a preliminary phase featuring ring-necked pheasants. The upright on that painting is to be standing corn shocks.

BEECH-RIDGE (WILD TURKEYS)

The viewer may notice that the species depicted are either facing right or left. This was done intentionally so two paintings hanging on a wall would have the “critters” facing each other making for a pleasant balanced view. I have many ideas and beginnings if the series would become a desired art collection. For instance with the painting featuring the black bear another one could be painted depicting a mother bear and cubs in a summer scene. Of course, these bear would be facing right as a complement to the left-facing winter scene

AUTUMN GRANDEUR- WHITE-TAIL

I am hoping to find an art printer/ publisher interested with this concept capable of handling proper promotion and distribution of prints. Please, forward this blog information to anyone where interest may be found. I would appreciate any efforts.

Other series ideas include an upland game bird series; a furbearer series and actually an endless list of paintings could be possible!  Any ideas and/ or comments would be appreciated.

Posted in Misc. Nature, My Art, Wildlife | 4 Comments »

State Game Lands 247

August 6, 2010 by larrysmailart

State Game Lands 247 trail

I am feeling it! I am feeling the “dog days of summer” drifting towards fall-like days! I had a number of errands to run but I decided to hit the game lands between Skinall and Center hill and look for natural things of interest. Actually, I was looking forward with having both feet become saturated with dew. .. a great sensation!  (That is sarcasm.)

I was blessed to see lots of butterflies this morning. Have you ever noticed the intricate designs and colors on butterflies. They are truly beautiful insects.I saw dragonflies and damselflies at the pond area. They are tough to get photos of because they dart around continuously as the day warms.

Caterpillar stage of the monarch butterfly.

In the pond’s waters I saw several carp. They tend to keep the waters stirred up with their continual digging in the mud. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) has erected several duck nesting sites here. Years ago, I carried all the “stuff” needed to erect a wood duck box. (Two trips on foot.. I was young then!)

Carp

On my return down the hill towards the road I saw several groundhogs and later met up with ny friend, Jerry Kespelher and Wildlife Conservation Officer Gary Toward both  PGC employees.

Posted in Butterflies and Insects, Misc. Nature | Leave a Comment »

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