Larry A. Smail's Blog

A Couple More Early Morning Walks

September 7, 2015 by larrysmailart

Last week, I went for a limited stroll along Buffalo Creek near Beatty’s Mill. This was a mill of times past, south of Worthington, Pennsylvania. I walked carefully as my knee is still I the mending stage of the healing. Of course that means walking softly on any rocks, and embankments

I saw some gobblers in a distant field as I traveled to the site. Later, I would see a flock of young turkeys. I hastily tried to get a photo or two, but the speed of the birds caused for some blurred pics.

The morning was comfortable in regards to the temperature. Mid-morning found a sharp rise in the heat, and humidity.

Buffalo Creek flows across more than half of Armstrong County before emerging into the Allegheny River at Freeport, Pennsylvania. The stream is a beauty of a waterways. Much of the stream is stocked annually with trout. This time of the year trout are few in numbers. However, carp can be viewed in places. I have crept along the shoreline to catch them. they average around 15 to 20 inches.

I saw a couple of deer walking across the creek at two different places.This morning I was going to visit my sister. I allowed extra time to walk in, and around Redmill Creek near Sunnyside, Pennsylvania. This stream is, also, a beautiful waterway that flows into Cowanshannock Creek. However, compared to buffalo creek this water source is much smaller in, both, depth and width.

I saw three deer along the bottomland brush, as I looked for a few photo opportunities. There are big sycamore trees here, and there. The size usually makes for interesting stream photos.

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Early Walk

August 29, 2015 by larrysmailart

Foxtail

July second in the evening the pain began. Two days later I was walking about on all fours followed with crutches and soon a walker. One can’t just call a doctor up and expect to have them see you in short order. I had to wait nine days to see a specialist. He sent me for a MRI which was exactly what I requested on the initial call. A few days later I had the MRI, and had my next appointment five days later. By this time the pain was on the way out. I made a decision for an operation for meniscus repair. That happened on August 18th.

This morning, I elected to hit the early morning woods for a brief walk to test the knee a little. By the way, I had two tears on the meniscus with some arthritis buildup

Bull Thistle

The morning was cool, and foggy. I quickly realized the beauty of the pre-autumn woodlands. I saw a nice buck; several fawns, and a couple of does.

The late summer wildflowers are blooming everywhere. Some of most common were: Joe-Pye; Ironweed; Jewelweed; Boneset, and goldenrod. Yes, frosts could come anytime now, but I expect a killer frost will be awhile into the future. Bees, and butterflies are enjoying the morning, too.

I found it interesting when I observed two fawns together. the one had few spots left for it already had it’s gray-brown winter hair. The other fawn was still orange-red with spots! The buck had about a fourteen inch spread. I found one site where a buck was already pawing the ground. This is known as a scrape.

To be honest, my leg was feeling tired before I reached the jeep, but I believe I will be fine…I hope!

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Great Blue Heron

August 13, 2015 by larrysmailart

Earlier this summer I completed an acrylic painting of a Greet Blue Heron. The bird is feeding on a minnow in a back-water site. A majestic sycamore tree is in the immediate background. The size is 18 X 24.

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Muskie Fishing Efforts

August 5, 2015 by larrysmailart

We were greeted with a dense fog as we started out into the beautiful Allegheny River. My friend, Frank “Muskie” Maus, and I had no idea what this day of muskie fishing might bring. Would we be hauling a ton of the golden, big fish, or would be involved with a luckless day? Only hours of casting, and trolling for many hours would produce the answer.

Boats in the fog

We spent time surface casting before changing over to some trolling lures. The fog lifted rapidly once the atmospheric conditions were met. Still we fished on! The sky became deep blue with big fluffy clouds. A nice breeze followed the course of the river making for a comfortable day. Still we fished on!

The minutes crept into hours, and we eventually turned the trolling lures into underwater lures. We finished out the day using such lures. I snagged onto something, and became worried I would lose the lure. However, after some effort the lure released from the underwater structure.

Another fog pic!

One highlight for me was to watch a mature Bald eagle fly over our position on the water. I am always thrilled to see these majestic birds!

Frank has caught around 370 muskies during his career as a muskie fisherman. I am impressed! As he we tell you, the efforts of many hours fishing for them produced the success. The muskellunge has been called the, “Fish Of A Thousand Casts.”

One of those thousand casts!

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A Beautiful Day On Crooked Creek

August 5, 2015 by larrysmailart

I decided about mid-morning that a fishing excursion to Crooked Creek was in order. A few moments later I was loading up the waders; rod; camera; fishing vest, and such and was on my way!

The waters of this creek was great. The previous day’s rain colored the water slightly. The humidity level was low this day, and the sky was blue as turquoise. A pleasant breeze ebbed along the hollow.

Every time I fish this water source, I visualize Delaware Indians in their canoes using the route for transport. Early settlers would use this water, as well. This time of the year, however, much of the water is wouldn’t be easily traveled due to the water level.Fishing was very good this day. I caught catfish ranging from fifteen inches to about twenty-five inches. I had a bigger one on and I watched the fish swim away once the hook bent from the fight , and weight of the trophy.

I caught some smallmouth bass as well. their sizes ranged from about ten inches to possibly sixteen inches. The biggest one put up quite an acrobatic show!

Blue Vervain

The other specie of fish I caught was a bluegill. I missed some fish, and lost some fish.

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Flowers In My Yard

July 30, 2015 by larrysmailart

While being down, and out for about a month I had little time to be outdoors. However I hobbled around when I was able to spend time in the yard. I found some joy with the many, and varied wildflowers growing well. My entire yard was landscaped with wildlife in mind. Also, I tried to naturalize my landscaping with many native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. One will see domesticated flowers throughout as well.

Woodland Sunflower

Phlox

I have a nice stream flowing through my property. The waters yield

Purple Coneflower

minnows; crayfish, bullfrogs, water striders (skippers) and water snakes. All are very welcome. Along the natural vegetation damselflies are common darting from leaf to leaf. their brilliant colors are a welcome sight to watch. The flowers along the waterway are common to bottomland growth. Bee balms, woodland sunflower, blue irises, button bush, cardinal flower, and others are scattered around in a natural habitat.

Back yard gazebo

It is not uncommon to see Great Blue Herons, and Green Herons sneaking around searching for minnows to eat.

I have native phlox, and purple coneflowers growing all about the yard as well. these flowers attract bees; Hummingbird moths, many butterflies, and other nectar loving insects. Joe Pye stalks reach close to eight feet.

Moth Mullein

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Along The Allegheny River

July 30, 2015 by larrysmailart

Kittanning Citizen’s bridge

I have spent a few hours, here, and there along the beautiful Allegheny River. These photos are from three different jaunts of fishing, or hiking. My fishing excursions along this waterways haven’t produce much action, but that is alright by me. I still enjoy seeing what adventure may be in store along the banks.

Yellow Warbler

Looking north to Kittanning, PA.

Great Blue Heron track

This time of the year many species of wildflowers exist to view. One of my favorite is the Cardinal Flower. The color is a vivid red. This is a native wildflower.

The leaves of the Coltsfoot. Their yellow flowers are often the first to bloom in late winter.

The islands across from Manorville, PA

Some of the critters I have seen on these water trips include mallards, Canada geese, and Great Blue Herons.

Button Bush

Cardinal Flower

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A Week Of Outdoor Activities

June 3, 2015 by larrysmailart

The past week I had been involved in a number of outdoor interests as usual. One morning I packed up my fishing gear and headed north of Dayton, Pennsylvania for a few hours of fishing. I visited the back waters of the Mahoning Dam. I used to love fishing here in my earlier days, so I try to get back occasionally to fish and enjoy the solitude of the area.

Mahoning Creek is the actual waterways flowing through the deep, and steep surrounding hills. The dam was built years ago as a flood control measure for Pittsburgh miles away.

Yellow Flag

The water is deep, and green. The shoreline is brushy with very big rocks scattered about. As for the fishing, I caught some Pumpkinseed Sunfish; bluegills and smallmouth bass. I was entertained by, at least, three water snakes all morning. they were moving about among the rocks and floating limbs.

Mahoning

Turkey Vulture

I, also, spent some time along the Allegheny River north of Kittanning. On this morning, a change in the weather became the norm. The winds increased, and the temperatures were chilling. However, I did catch a nice Channel catfish, and a Smallmouth Bass.

I saw a mature Bald eagle this morning flying across the river. I saw a huge carp at about six feet from the shore. I would estimate the behemoth to be around 40 inches in length. I, also, saw a big muskie along shore.

Bob, and I hunted gobblers on Thursday morning. We closed in to about 80 yards from the gobbling bird. Unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of a gulley, but we had to play the hand we were dealt. A second bird gobbled with the first when all went quiet. The humidity and temps were rapidly climbing, so we went to the homestead to do prep work for the coming garage.

Buffalo Creek

I enjoyed a cool morning hiking along Buffalo Creek near Worthington, Pennsylvania. I enjoy walking here for exercise. Sometimes, I fish for carp in these waters, too.

I traveled to Moraine State Park to do some hiking on Tuesday, June 3. We were experiencing some cool comfortable hiking weather. I explored the Sunken garden Trail and walked on another trail as well.

I hiked Crooked Creek area one morning. Here I saw several deer, including a doe and her fawn.

I saw a 5-6 rabbits and squirrels. Later, after the hike, I fished a little. I caught a number of bluegills. Here I watched a wood duck family; mallards; lots of geese, and a beaver.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Later today the garage will be arriving. Anxious to put this behind, and see this task completed.

The little Screech Owls left the owl box this week, too.

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Out & About For A Time

May 23, 2015 by larrysmailart

I felt the need to get out for a time. The planned yard work, and the washing of the jeep would need to wait until the afternoon.

I went to the area of Cochran’s Mill, and would spend some time fishing Crooked Creek, too. I managed to be lucky and catch a largemouth bass of around fourteen inches. I could see carp swimming . They appeared to range from around eighteen inches to, maybe, twenty-two inches in length.

I was forced to exit the waters prior to noon. The gnats would come out as the temperature climbed. Hundreds of the pesky critters would fly about my face. Needless to say I didn’t appreciate their determination.

Only Bass I caught.

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Second Chance Gobbler

May 20, 2015 by larrysmailart

We have had some hot, and humid weather! Add allergies, and my gobbler hunting has been short in daily hours. Monday, the 18th of May, I told Laurie I would be hunting to no later than eight o’clock due to the weather. I did, however, move in on a roosting gobbler. I stopped on a gas line, and when he gobbled again, I knew I needed to not move any farther. I set up and did some calling. The bird was interested. I heard a thud, and the bird was down. Seconds later I heard soft hen call, and the sounds of her flying down to the tom. All went silent. The following morning, I was near my homestead since I was to be helping with garage prep work again. I moved in an unorthodox matter, and set up below where the turkeys like to roost. This a very difficult area to set up on. I was forced to put some eye drops on my eyes for they were beginning to itch, and burn. At that time I heard some excited cuts exactly where I expected the turkey talk to be. I immediately spotted another hen closer to me. I watched her preen herself and balance on the limb before fly down. I saw two more hens fly down. No gobbling at all! Five hens were present. The heat closed in fast! This morning, however, there was change in the weather. I was disappointed the skies were clouded over, but the temperatures were much cooler. I walked to the top of a hill in breezy conditions. At 5:30, the winds came and hearing became difficult. I moved into a field to try to get away from some of the tree noises from the wind. I thought I heard a gobbler far off, in fact, across a big hollow and a road. I stayed put until normal fly down time had passed. Later, I crossed the road to climb the hill and check out a field. As I walked along I called periodically. I heard a gobble! I moved in, set up, and began to call. He came close and shut up. This could be a sign the big bird was sneaking in. I waited for twenty minutes and became very chilled. I called and received silence. I had to move, so I circled on the back side of the terrain the tom had been gobbling from. I entered the area I believed the turkey was , and as I called I heard a gobbler. You guessed it, the turkey was exactly where I had been calling from earlier. I set up and began calling. He gobbled and I felt all things were falling into place. Again the turkey became quiet, but this time I was waiting. He was circling my position when a thunderous gobbler exploded in front of me. I could see the darkened form. The turkey moved slowly, and every time his head went behind cover I would adjust my sight alignment as needed. The big gobbler went behind some big trees and when he stepped out the eighteen yard shot was completed. the turkey weighed nineteen pounds and sported a 9 3/4 inch beard. His spurs were 7/8 of an inch long.