Larry A. Smail's Blog

Ring-billed Gull

Laurie and I discussed going north to the Lake Erie area for a time. We decided any trip to Presque Isle would have to be after the  labor Day holiday and not on a weekend! We, also, would watch the weather closely for comfortable and favorable weather conditions.

Lake Erie

Well, Thursday and Friday (September 25 and 26) looked very good so we quickly made a decision to “move ’em out”!

Gull Point Trail area

As per my usual mode of travel, I elected to drive rural roads to see the sights and avoid the hectic driving conditions common to those four-lane expressways as much as practical. The routes chosen allowed us to see some turkeys and a bald eagle. this was Laurie’s first sighting of a majestic bald eagle. We were able to see the grand bird up close as well.                                                          Prior to our time at the peninsula of Presque isle we visited the Erie Zoo. We spent about one and a half hours on the site, We, both, commented how much better the Pittsburgh Zoo is, however,  the Erie Zoo is under renovations.   Presque Isle is a peninsula jutting out from  the mainland of Erie, Pennsylvania. The ecosystem is diverse with, at least, six variances. many species of birds and mammals inhabit the area shorelines. Some areas host huge oaks; others yield wetland species and the shores have typical low beach-like vegetation. During the War of 1812 with Great Britain, Commodore Oliver Perry defeated the British here.    The cautious drive along the peninsula allowed ample time to look around. A monument to Oliver Perry stands along the shore as a memorial. The lands have a few lighthouses too. The lighthouse shown here was built in 1872.

Presque Isle Lighthouse

The first trail we hiked was the 1.5 mile Gull point Trail. This trail is located at the furthest-most point of the peninsula. The trail begins with dense understory vegetation with domineering eastern cottonwood tress and ends with sandy-like beaches with,  mostly, grasses and low shrubs. The sand proved difficult to walk in.  Much of the area is roped off to protect various nesting birds and endangered species as well.        As we approached the last half mile, or so, of the hike bird life began to become very abundant. We saw many gulls and cormorants flying everywhere. The one specie of gull I recognized was the Ring-billed Gull. At the trail’s end an observation post has been erected. We. literally, saw hundreds of birds along the shoreline and flying about. We saw Great-Blue Herons as well. At this site, lake Erie is on three sides of us.   There were plenty of boats and sail boats noticeable on the lake. Some were barely visible. A constant wind was present and the waves were forever heard as a soothing sound.

Map Turtles

We spent much time walking and enjoying the beaches and woods. One little boy was really having a time swinging a stick at the waves as they approached him. We saw map turtles sunning themselves on logs in boggy areas. Unfortunately, as evening approached I realized and old familiar pain in my left leg. By hotel time the pain had increased. I remembered the leg issues last year at this time with checks for a clot and breakage, four days on crutches and therapy.                                                We really enjoyed our time together on Presque isle. This is my, third or, fourth trip visiting the lake. The following morning we hiked the Erie Bluffs. This will be the next entry here.