Larry A. Smail's Blog

Keystone Lake Time

March 10, 2013 by larrysmailart

Keystone Lake

Yes, I managed to spend some time walking the borders and along the slopes of some of the waters of Keystone Lake. (Armstrong County, Pennsylvania) The day included much time of reflection on my part. Freda Yount, my aunt, had passed away and I had attended the funeral. Aunt Freda always had a smile for me. She was kind to me, but we weren’t as close as we could have been. Many years ago, she and my uncle were divorced. I was somewhere in my early teens when this happened. Divorces tear families apart. Regardless she was my aunt and I had much appreciation for her.

I stopped by the funeral home in Elderton, Pennsylvania to show my respects and visit with my cousins and friends. Always great to see them. I find it sad our lives are so busy in this day that we seldom see each other unless it be a funeral or wedding.

Canada geese

As per my plans, I carried extra clothing and shoes with me because I decided with such a springlike day of near 70 degrees a walk should be part of my agenda. These walks of mine often become times of reflection and deep thoughts.

Some of the lake still was covered with ice, but I did see an ice fishermen on the ice. Not me! I headed first to the mouth of the lake where Plum Creek entered into the big waters. I knew waterfowl would be at this area since plenty of vegetation is present . Here I saw geese and a coot. I walked about before relocating further south on the lake. At this site, I exited down a steep slope. This was an area I often fished over earlier years of my life. I had many hours of enjoyable times fishing here alone or with my dad. We used to catch some big bass in this lake. I remember bass of eighteen inches being caught. We caught some big bluegills and walleye too.

Interesting Ice Formation

As I approached through the hemlock laden slope of the lake I could here and see Canada Geese. (Located one nesting pair.) I, also, saw several Common mergansers; a flock of swans and many gulls off across the lake. I couldn’t make any positive identification on exact species at such distances. Much of the waters here were open.

I sat down behind some hemlocks to watch the waterfowl and write down some thoughts until I felt something tickling my arm…a TICK! I removed and eliminated four ticks at that time. I decided I best get p and continue walking. I later removed three more from my pants. I HATE TICKS!

Red-Tailed Hawk (one of two)

I walked along the shore for sometime before angling up and over towards my car. I saw two deer and a squirrel on the wooded flats.

My walk wasn’t all that long. I estimated about two miles total, but I enjoyed being outside on such a beautiful day. I stopped to check on my mother’s progress while traveling home. She is doing very well with her new knee.

Hemlock Cone

Posted in Hikes, Misc. Nature, My Family | Leave a Comment »

Where Have I been?

March 4, 2013 by larrysmailart

I haven’t written anything on my site for a few weeks. There has been a number of issues going on as of late. My mother had her second knee replaced on February 12th. This surgery, of course, utilized many hours of hospital time and being at my old homestead. She is doing very well and hopefully by mid-April she will be walking without a walker or cane. She is determined and that is always a good thing!!!

My mother returned home on Saturday, February 23rd. My sister received an operation on February 26th on her knee. She had injured it on a tree root. She is doing very well too. On February 28th, I received a MRI to my head searching for any brain material. The Vertigo issues, as well as, other head and sinus related problems caused a required search to rule any negative things out. So far, I have not received any word.

So these important family related concerns were a big part of my time. I, also, have been working on some recordings for a friend, Bob Sink. Thus far, I have put two to three tracks on eleven out of thirteen songs for him. Bob is a great fiddle and mandolin player. Unfortunately, we have yet to have put any of his tracks done. Bob has been hospitalized twice in three weeks over heart-related problems. On February 23rd, the band I play guitar with, GOOD NEWS COUNTRY played at the Victory Praise and Worship Center near Corsica. All six band members were present to play! Bob, and his wife Elaine, were present to listen. They live several miles away from the center. Bob, at that time, said he was feeling very well, but, a few days later he was back in the hospital. Get well friend!

Detail of the muskie and the saw blade. Laurie told everybody I had painted a guppy!

I have plenty of hours working on some paintings including a saw blade of a muskie for Mr. Muskie, Frank Maus. He loved it!

Saturday evening, March 2, Laurie and I attended an event and meal at the Whitesburg United Methodist Church. Great food and friends! We later stopped and visited my mother and step-father, Bob.

Laurie, my mother-in-law Anne Craft and myself went to the Greensburg garden & Civic center to see the musical, GODSPELL. The original musical began in 1971. Neither Laurie or I were overly impressed with the event. While traveling I saw a lot of deer, a flock of turkeys and a gaggle of geese.

This morning I went for a winter walk to see what I could see. I saw several deer, mink and coyote tracks and a small flock of bluebirds.

I saw my first groundhog of the season this last week. Also, I am noticing the goldfinches at my feeder beginning to brighten up with the yellows of sping and summer.

Posted in My Art, My Family | 2 Comments »

Limestone Run Jaunt

February 5, 2013 by larrysmailart

The day was perfect for a winter day. the temperatures were in the upper twenties and into the low thirties later on. The wind was very subtle. Thermal wind drifts were all that could be sensed at times. I needed some woods time so I elected to jaunt into the area of Limestone Run.

Ice on the water

Limestone Run is a tributary to the Allegheny River here in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. The waters are usually fairly fast-moving and clear as can be!

Porcupine damage

I dressed in my white “camies” and carried along my 870 shotgun. (Wish I had an AR-15.) I possessed a few predator calls and thought I might try calling in a coyote. As usually, as is the case with me, I soon discovered I rather walk and take photos than pursue the ‘yote…which I happily did.

Limestone Run

To be honest I did set up and call a couple of times but crows and blue jays were the only critters that came in to my calling.

I saw lots of tracks around the hike. I saw deer (I later saw two deer.) and a ton of Canada Geese. These are, probably, the flocks of geese that I see quite regularly flying over my home at tree-top level. Other tracks observed were fox; ‘coon, porcupine; rabbit; squirrel and, possibly, a young coyote .

I didn’t see any turkey sign which very much surprised me. I had seen a couple of flocks in recent weeks with some strutting toms, but there were none to be found in this area today. I traveled for amost five hours and covered an estimated 5 miles distance.

Posted in Misc. Nature | Leave a Comment »

Winter In Pennsylvania

January 31, 2013 by larrysmailart

Red-Tailed Hawk

Recently we experienced spring-like temperatures in Pennsylvania. The temperatures reached into sixties! A week earlier we were in the single digit numbers making for some cold times.

I found some time to go and do a short hike on Wednesday the 30th. I placed some deer ribs into a woods to help some little wild birds make it through the remaining winter season. Later on I went a short distance to State Game Lands 247 for a hike. The mild weather forced me to roll up my flannel shirt sleeves. I saw two deer.

Prior to leaving, I carried the feed sack that I had hauled the deer parts out and gathered a bag-full of glass from the woods of the game lands. Why people insist on carrying their garbage out to the woods is beyond my thinking! I will take the glass to the recycling site later. The walk and outdoor excursion was short-lived for by 10:00 A.M. the rains began followed by some high winds. Today, we had high winds, snow and temperatures in the twenty degree range. Tonight the temps are to reach the teens. Like I said in the title: Winter in Pennsylvania!

A rare visitor to my feeder. A yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Posted in Misc. Nature | Leave a Comment »

Stooges On Hunt

January 10, 2013 by larrysmailart

My, rather new, Muck boots had been patched after a large rip from the day’s hunt before. Why do I have such lousy luck when it comes to hunting shoes or boots? Today would be a good day I hoped.

I circled around to do a repeat of yesterday’s dogging experience. Donnie and Bob were on watch. I spotted three deer in their beds as I pretended to not see them. It worked they remained in place. maybe later we could use these three on a push. I see two more deer as I begin the drive, but both exited the opposite direction from where the two stooges were.

I reached the tw hunters and gave a report as did they. I went up and over the hill to work the back side first. I would, upon completion of this, circle around and come through the opposite side of the hunters. Yesterday this worked like a charm as the old sayin’ goes.

I completed the back slope and upon entering the woods spotted several deer fleeing low in the woods. I backtracked a bit and went to their level and began moving again and moving diagonally when a shot was heard ahead of me. Bob had shot! Bob had missed! Donnie couldn’t get his flintlock into position fast enough!

We followed out the tracks for quite a long way to be sure a miss occurred and it did. I tried to locate the three bedded deer after this and the trio had moved away, no doubt, desiring to feed some with the rising sun and warming temps.

We all went to ma’s for some backed ‘sketti before returning to hunt. the second push pushed deer around. Bob saw a couple and Donnie saw nine. The deer spotted him and as he tried to get his gun into position. Shortly some bolted and a few remained around offering Donnie a shot in thick brush. The shot failed to connect.

We had to quit hunting around 3:00 since Donnie had a committment for 5:00.

Clear cut area

Overall. I had 14 deer sightings; a squirrel and a grouse. I, also, saw two stooges off and on all day. By the way, the third stooge was me!

‘possum tracks

Posted in Flintlock Hunting, My Family | Leave a Comment »

A Morning of Hunting

January 9, 2013 by larrysmailart

The skies were various hues of orange and red as Bob and I approached the pre-determined meeting place with cousin Donnie. I had seen two deer while in transit and Donnie watched three enter the strip of woods we were planning on hunting.

I, as the dog, had the job of walking about chasing deer. I’ll soon be barking and lifting my leg on hydrants!

the first drive was actually was a two-pronged drive. I was to circle around and come towards Donnie Boone and Bob Crockett from one direction. Upon reaching them, the plan was for me to go up and over the hill to a field before circling and coming towards the boys from the opposite direction. The drive works. They saw two deer going in one direction, but not offering any shots.

The second part of the drive pushed around 8 deer past Donnie and a red fox! Donnie raised and fired and a deer dropped only to get up and take off. He, of course, felt bad about the shot. he said he hastily shot before he was ready. I saw the deer down in the snow ahead of Donnie as it raised for the take off! I am not kidding when I say “take off.”

After we realized the deer wasn’t down ahead of us the painful tracking began. I say “painful” for the deer wouldn’t stop and attempting to unravel many deer tracks was to be a chore at times. The deer continued to circle the hillside until it finally broke and went straight up over the hill right past Donnie, but on his right side. (Donnie shoots left-handed, so the deer wasn’t in place for him to get turned around for a shot.) the deer entered the field and made a complete 360 degree circle running past Bob at full speed. (Donnie, however, did see the hit on the deer. It was in a non-vital area below the back bone and above the vitals. This made us happy as the rains began.)

The search for the deer included several hours of trailing and well over a mile in chase. We were getting soaked and concluded the deer was seemed to be doing very well since it had apparently went down the hill and crossed the road.

We decided to head home and both decided to shoot the flintlocks off since the rains had become very moderate. Both firearms failed to go off initially until fresh powder was placed into the pans.

I had seen several squirrels and 4 deer and one grouse during my jaunt.

Posted in Flintlock Hunting, My Family, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

A Hike With Friends

January 8, 2013 by larrysmailart

Frank (l) & Slim

Past fellow workers, Frank Maus and Robert “Slim” Bowser and I headed for McConnell’s Mill State Park for some adventures in hiking. The park is located in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. Ninty percent of the conversation dealt with laughter found from our place of employment for many years. We laughed so much I had a dry and raspy throat!

Dam at the Mill

After a nice breakfast, we quickly began our walking about the park. We first visited a waterfall known as Alpha Pass following a packed and icy trail down over a hill. The extra walking sticks were a plus in maneuvering the slippery areas.

Ice ring on water

Covered Bridge

Later, we stopped at the McConnell’s Mill site to view the beautiful and treacherous Slippery Rock Creek gorge area. Here an early mill is located built in 1868 after the first mill (1852) was burned in a fire. Also, on site is a covered bridge built in 1874.

Hell’s Hollow Falls

We hiked along the Hell’s Hollow Trail to see a three tier waterfall. Also, along the fall is a remnant of an old kiln known as Lime Kiln.

Alpha Pass Falls

Hell Run

The hiking was beautiful with the snow cover and the clear stream known as Hell Run. Large rocks loaded with long-hanging ice could be seen throughout. Hemlocks contrasted the deciduous trees and snow making for great views to witness.

We saw a couple of squirrels; turkeys and a pileated woodpecker.

More hikes are going to be in our future.

Posted in Hikes | Leave a Comment »

Suzie… The Passing of Our Beloved Spaniel

January 4, 2013 by larrysmailart

The litter of Springer Spaniels was born on February 6, 1998. March found two of these adorable puppies as permanent parts of the family. Bridget became the pet for my mother-in-law, Anne Craft and Suzie became part of the family of Laurie and myself.

We immediately bonded. She was an obedient dog always trying to be the best she could be. I had to discipline her rarely. My loud voice and my “look” was all that was needed in most instances.

Suzie loved outdoor adventures. Fields and forests were always a joy for her until the years caught up with blindness.

The years went so fast! Suddenly the puppy was eight years old. Ten years crept almost in a blink of the eye.

Suzie became very ill in February 2009. A visit to the vet confirmed diabetes. The outlook was bleak. the vet gave us six months to a year. A number of times illness came and I prepared for the worse.Suzie would come out of her condition and fair well again. Many a time she and I would walk around the yard and set. I prayed most sincere prayers. I truly believe her longevity was due to my prayers. She would improve and give us enjoyment again and again.

However, the years caught up with her.She almost reached her 15th birthday. The days prior to he passing were difficult for us all. She was becoming weaker and loosing control of her bladder. I kept my mother’s carpet scrubber handy using it to clean up the messes. Laurie and I began talks of what our options were. I tried to deny my feelings, but knowing we would soon need to make that dreaded decision so many pet owners need to make at times.

Suzie, we love you!!!! (February 6, 1998- January 4, 2013)

Suzie!

Posted in Uncategorized | 16 Comments »

What a Deer Day

January 3, 2013 by larrysmailart

I was part of our usual morning visit and breakfast at Bob and mom’s home prior to heading to the familiar haunts. The single digit temperatures never felt all that cold as I climbed the grade in search of whitetails! In less than 15 minutes I spotted 4 deer along a field’s edge. Yep, as the sun and temps were rising the deer would be feeding.

Over the next 40 minutes I passed up two doable shots in hope of better shots. Another instance found me creeping over a round top ridge and spotted a deer at about 35 yards, Old Jacob (My flintlock rifle) was aimed, but several pine branches were interfering and the extra second trying to find an opening unnerved the deer. I stalked another deer in the brush only to have a slight change in the breeze cause my stench to move the deer out!

The buck

I walked through a spruce and aspen woodland to check a bedding area without any luck. As I circled around I could see a deer’s body at about 50 yards distance. As I moved I could about the head became visible and WOW!! I remembered this deer! This nice buck was traveling with the buck I harvested during the regular deer season. He antlers are wide and actually much better looking antlers than the one I got! I managed some photos hoping for a better opportunity as the deer was among some goldenrod and briars! An antlerless deer was feeding around and I decided I wouldn’t shoot this deer in hopes of photos! The better shots never happened as the deer refused the openings.

I walked back around and I spotted the doe. She walked diagonally and started walking back on my earlier tracks. I followed her at about 30 yards on average but the deer never offered anything but a facing away shot until I cracked a small limb under the snow and off she went.

Later, I spotted a deer feeding in high goldenrod and multiflora rose brambles. The distance was close. I leveled the sights, but all I could see was the very head and white throat patch at times. I estimated the front shoulder and missed! The deer had moved her body enough that I totally missed. The deer moved about 8 yards and stood. I expected her to fall at any moment when she walked away. I hadn’t completed loading for another shot when she stopped. This is when I knew I had missed!!

I met Bob coming up a gas well road. he decided to come out as the weather improved. I circled around seeing more deer, but they went opposite the direction I had hoped. As I continued circling I spotted a deer among some tree tops. The shot would prove to be 100 yards give or take. (I walked it off at 98 steps.) The deer turned and ran downhill. I quickly loaded and began tracking. A few drops of blood told me the story. The deer went over a hundred yards. I crept closer and shot again although I wouldn’t have had to do so. the front shoulder shot was true!

I saw a lot of deer this day and several grouse sightings. it was a good say to be in the woods!

Posted in Flintlock Hunting | Leave a Comment »

A Day In The Snow

December 28, 2012 by larrysmailart

Deer country

Yes, I had a day in the snow. Half of the day was shared with my cousin, Donnie Smail. My step-father, Bob was part of that day and we managed a few extra hours after Donnie had to leave.

The three of us met prior to dawn at B. Hollow and discussed our plans for the flintlock hunt. I was not carrying any flintlocks today. I decided I was going to “play dog” and move deer around and snap some photos. I may hunt with my last tag later on. Saturday is my butchering day for the harvested deer from the 27th.

Donnie and the deer

Donnie and Bob walked along a gas well road as I circled around to walk through a clear-cut area. I spotted two deer in their beds right off, but across a road. I approached a big hollow and could see a lone deer in its bed. The deer got up and began walking. I continued up and over and five more deer began walking in the right direction too. Shortly after 8:00 the boom was heard.

One of many deer beds found.

I walked on in the direction of the shot and met up with Donnie. he had shot and hit the mark! He started up the slope and I did too. Within minutes I saw the deer still in the brush. Donnie’s shot was true! After a hand shake and the usual story of what had just transpired the deer was dressed and the dragging was started. Bob had seen three deer, but failed for a good shot.

We hunted a couple of more hours with more deer viewed. Donnie had to leave and get his deer processed. Bob and I left for familiar haunts. More deer were spotted and no shots granted. Total deer viewed by me were 33! Some were seen while traveling between hunts. Bob and I quit about 2:00.

Teasel

Posted in Flintlock Hunting, My Family | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Larry A. Smail's Blog

Art, Music, Biblical, Wildlife and Nature

Keystone Lake Time

Where Have I been?

Limestone Run Jaunt

Winter In Pennsylvania

Stooges On Hunt

A Morning of Hunting

A Hike With Friends

Suzie… The Passing of Our Beloved Spaniel

What a Deer Day

A Day In The Snow

Email Subscription

Pages

Categories

Archives

Armstrong County

Blogrolls

Christian-Oriented

Conservation

Historical

Music

Outdoor Interests

Second Amendment

Meta