Larry A. Smail's Blog

Black Bear (Notice the right eye.)

For over thirty years I wanted to explore some wooded land approximately thirty miles away from my home. Every time I ventured through the area I would remind myself of the need to explore and learn about these lands. Today, was the initial beginning of checking out the terrain and forest diversity.

Yesterday, March 26, Laurie and I walked a local game lands for exercise and to enjoy the warm, spring-like weather.  We saw five deer. This morning I was on my own. I knew I would be gone for, at least, half a day if not more. I was anxious to see what interest would befall my jaunt as I began to walk through the woodlands.

  The woodlands began as rather open country, but as I moved down the hill’s side I found some clear-cut areas. Soon I would be walking along a

Old Beaver sign

creek and noticing the remnants of a past Beaver dam. The waterway area was covered with downed grasses from last year. Also, many dead trees were visible wherever the water level from the dam submerged their roots. Downed trees were present and numerous old, weathered cuttings from a Beaver’s history could be readily viewed.

I stopped briefly to have a nature call when I saw the obvious head of a Black Bear. the bruin was about forty to forty-five yards from me. The nature call was aborted immediately!

I quickly realized two observations. One was that the bear was bedded and secondly, he was a huge bear. he turned his head, both left and right at times. Eventually, his gaze was in my direction. The big bear had something wrong with his right eye. (Look closely at the photos included here.) Obviously, I began taking photos whenever I could see the head well enough without limb interference. The head was big and the bear was obviously a huge male bear.

I stood on site for somewhere between five and eight minutes, before the bear stood up. Once I saw the body the size of head fell into place. The bear appeared to relieve himself. Once completed the bear turned towards the left and meandered upslope between an opening on the hill behind.

  I moved upstream to find a place easily forded. I moved through a wetlands before going up and over a slight rise in the terrain. My hope was to circle around for better photos. The bear was never viewed again although I moved up a hollow and up over a hill. I was tickled at seeing this great beast.

I walked along for approximately five hours this day seeing  a flock of turkeys and seven deer. At one point, I noticed something white at about thirty-five yards. A gobbler’s head with his body hidden by terrain. As soon as our eyes met the bird was gone.

A lot of BlueJay feathers told the story of a hawk’s meal.

I actually became bewildered for a time in this big area, but as you can see I found my direction.

Other sightings included a Red-tailed Hawk, Canada Geese, Wood Ducks, Mallards and Vultures. I was home around two and somewhat tired, but I sure was thrilled with this day’s events.

Last year’s Squawroot.

Canada Goose

Frog eggs

Wood Ducks

I have been on this Pennsylvania Game Commission property several times over the years, but this particular area I had not been on for a long time. The last, and only, time I hiked this section was at the time the Deer Tick explosion was in full swing.  I was calling turkeys in September and the birds were very vocal. I had my camera ready as I crouched between some limbs from a downfall. For whatever reason I glanced down to my pants and ticks were everywhere. I killed a few and decided to get the heck out of Dodge.  Ticks can ruin an otherwise enjoyable hike. In fact, I removed and destroyed about ten this morning, too. I hadn’t seen many at all over the hunting season last year.

I lucked out with watching a longboard gobbler with his harem of about eight hens. He wasn’t too concerned over my presence with so many admirers all around him.  They carefully went up the hill away from me and within moments they were all out-of-site.  I saw several deer, too.

Owl pellet

I kept my eyes towards the trees, as I walked, searching for a Great-Horned Owl’s nest. I found  one of his pellets. Hair and bones within the pellet told the story of some poor

Multiflora Rose

mammal being utilized as food. I did not see any nests. (Owl pellets consist of any hair, feathers and bone regurgitated by the owl. These are not digestible and discarded from the internal stomach of the owl. I have found complete mouse skulls on occasions.)

Much of the area had fairly open timber with visibility of over a hundred yards, however, once I got into an area with Multiflora Rose I began noticing ticks. Those pesky critters like to crawl out the stems and attach themselves to anything that brushes against the rose stalks. Theses plants are around the first to leaf out each spring.

There were some patches of another painful plant scattered throughout the walk.The Green Briar is a native plant to Pennsylvania. Those thorns can add much pain to a human calf or arm.

I circled around this property and eventually began a descent back towards my jeep. The walk was enjoyable and I was plea

Green Briar

Birch leaf illuminated by the early sun.

hen

Redbank Creek

Last week I was on the Redbank Valley Association’s trail to hike from the community of Climax, Pennsylvania to New Bethlehem. The day was to be sunny, but the temperature at dawn was below freezing for I could see ice build up on non-moving water.

Eagle nest

I was chilled initially for the sun had not risen over the tops of the hill hills to my right. However, it was bright enough to see. I kept a quickened pace to get the “blood flowing” as the old timers used to say. Laurie and I had walked a section of this area last spring, but this time I was determined to complete my goal.

Various birdlife was heard and viewed along the trail. Chickadees, Cardinals, Song Sparrows and Bluejays were common. Crows flew overhead at times as did a Red-Tailed hawk. I had hoped to see a Bald eagle foe a nest is visible to see to the observant. The big birds were not active this morning.

Old railroad ties

Canada geese were present at places with their honking “to scold me” racket. I did see a hand full of deer.

Beaver sign was spotted throughout the traveling. Some cuttings were old and some were fresh. Turkey, deer and coyote tracks were on the trail.

A lot of history remains can be seen along this trail,. Old coke ovens from the later twenty years or so of the eighteen hundreds are scattered around. they would refine the coal into a carbon for hotter burning. An old bridge over Long Run had some wash out issues and was roped off, but I crossed it anyway on the way back through. Old remnants of railroad ties could be seen here and there. They were in bad shape for the most part and covered with a thick carpet of moss. I walked through the old Climax Tunnel which recently had been repaired for public use again.

As I maneuvered along, especially on the return trip, the sun had come up and created some warmth. It was a beautiful morning to be out.

I haven’t been able to add photos the way I had traditional completed the task. I have discovered an different way so I am back in action again.

Bridge over Long Run just south of New Bethlehem.

Old coke ovens

Song Sparrow

Beaver cuttings

Climax Tunnel

Beautiful Pennsylvania

Last Friday and a clear day was being forecasted. I knew a walk was going to become reality. I prepared with the needed apparel for the temperature in Kittanning was a sultry 8 degrees early.

I realized rather quickly that the cold temperatures and the breezy conditions were creating a chill. I picked up my pace to get the “old blood” moving for warmth.

The wildlife must have “holed up” for I didn’t see much except for one deer and various small birds. I walked old common roads, trails and woodland areas. I looked up on occasion to search for Great-horned Owl nests. Finding their nests can be difficult, but if you do walk upon one they are often easily discerned. Nests can be quite large at times.

Porcupine quills

I did find an unusual subject. I noticed some black among the underbrush. Upon a closer look I was surprised to see a dead porcupine. Of course the wondering thoughts begin as to what killed the small creature.

Ruffed Grouse track in the frost

Another sight of rarity anymore were a series of grouse tracks.  I sure miss hearing those drumming Ruffed Grouse and their thundering wings.

An old snag.

Frost

Old hornet’s nest