I really enjoyed Thornapples, as many of the places Fergus discusses in the book are places that are familiar to me.Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Thornapples
I finished reading another book a few days ago. This one is Thornapples: The Comings, Goings, and Outdoor Doings of a Naturalist. The author is Charles Fergus, a native of Central Pennsylvania, who for years wrote the "Thornapples" column in the Pennsylvania Game News magazine. This book is a collection of some of those columns, and focuses on nature – everything from leaves and nuts to chickadees and owls to otters and porcupines to deer and black bears. In a number of those stories, Fergus also includes friends, neighbors, researchers, and game protectors to add the human aspect to the picture. The only chapter that I really didn’t care for was the last one – “Empty Days” – in which the author recounts his experiences during a two-week deer hunting season. This was the only chapter that focused on hunting, and that’s a subject that has never interested me at all. I found the other chapters very interesting and loaded with lots of fact-filled tidbits about nature in Pennsylvania.
I really enjoyed Thornapples, as many of the places Fergus discusses in the book are places that are familiar to me.
I really enjoyed Thornapples, as many of the places Fergus discusses in the book are places that are familiar to me.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Winter is coming...part 2
In my October 27 post, I stated that the sighting of a Dark-eyed Junco was an indicator to me that winter would soon be arriving. The second sign of winter’s arrival was here yesterday, as Char and I covered the Miata for the year. Sunday was a very nice day, with a high temperature of about 57 degrees, so Char put the top down and took it for one last ride. It was a good day to cover it, too, since the car was dry. I don’t like to cover it when it’s wet, and the forecast (correctly) called for rain today.
We don’t run the Miata (and have reduced insurance coverage on it) during December, January, and February. So, conversely, around March 1, when we uncover it again, that will be the sign that spring is just around the corner. That’s a much more enjoyable time of the year.
Char stands next to the "wrapped for winter" Miata. It will be unwrapped again around March 1.
We don’t run the Miata (and have reduced insurance coverage on it) during December, January, and February. So, conversely, around March 1, when we uncover it again, that will be the sign that spring is just around the corner. That’s a much more enjoyable time of the year.
Char stands next to the "wrapped for winter" Miata. It will be unwrapped again around March 1.Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thanksgiving
Char and I celebrated Thanksgiving at home, which has become the tradition over the past few years. Char cooked a turkey breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, soul style sweet potatoes (home made), rolls, and pumpkin pie. Matthew and Gina brought a blackberry pie over. Matthew helped Char make the gravy from the turkey drippings. He also helped her tie all the loose strings together to make the meal all come together. The three of them enjoyed a couple varieties of wine, and I had my iced tea. It was a nice, quiet day – just the kind I like.
This time of the year is always a bit sad for Char and me, though. My father passed away on November 27, 1978, the Monday after Thanksgiving that year. Char’s father passed away on December 11, 1997, two weeks before Christmas. It’s hard to believe the years go by so quickly.
Matthew, Gina, Char, and I make a Thanksgiving toast. It's OK to toast with iced tea.
Bucky apparently had too much turkey and had to take a nap! (Char took this photo with her Blackberry.)
This time of the year is always a bit sad for Char and me, though. My father passed away on November 27, 1978, the Monday after Thanksgiving that year. Char’s father passed away on December 11, 1997, two weeks before Christmas. It’s hard to believe the years go by so quickly.
Matthew, Gina, Char, and I make a Thanksgiving toast. It's OK to toast with iced tea.
Bucky apparently had too much turkey and had to take a nap! (Char took this photo with her Blackberry.)Sunday, November 22, 2009
Early Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving dinner was served today at the assisted living center where my mother-in-law, Shirley, resides. Along with me, my wife, Charlene; son, Matthew; brother-in-law, Rich; and his wife, Sharyn, attended. Another woman, Mary, who lives at the facility also sat at our table. Mary has no family. Char has befriended her and wanted to make sure she had someone to be with on “Thanksgiving.”
A woman who had been our next-door neighbor for the 33 years Char and I have lived in our house was having her Thanksgiving meal there, too. Like my mother-in-law, she has just moved into the assisted living center this past summer. Three of her daughters and a son-in-law were there to dine with her.
I’ve been reading a bit lately. I just finished the book The Gentle Subversive: Rachel Carson, Silent Spring and the Rise of the Environmental Movement, by Mark Hamilton Lytle. Rachel Carson was born in 1907 in Springdale, Pennsylvania, just 15 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The book came to my attention as it was published in 2007, the 100th anniversary of her birth, and the author made an appearance at The Rachel Carson Homestead. If you are a person who cares about the environment, Rachel Carson is a person you have to admire. She was extremely intelligent and faced many challenges to accomplish what she did. As indicated by this book’s title, many believe that Carson’s book, Silent Spring, brought to the forefront the damage that was being done to our earth and, in fact, was the beginning of the environmental movement as we now know it.
This book is a quick, easy read, yet very informative -- just the kind I like.
A woman who had been our next-door neighbor for the 33 years Char and I have lived in our house was having her Thanksgiving meal there, too. Like my mother-in-law, she has just moved into the assisted living center this past summer. Three of her daughters and a son-in-law were there to dine with her.
I’ve been reading a bit lately. I just finished the book The Gentle Subversive: Rachel Carson, Silent Spring and the Rise of the Environmental Movement, by Mark Hamilton Lytle. Rachel Carson was born in 1907 in Springdale, Pennsylvania, just 15 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The book came to my attention as it was published in 2007, the 100th anniversary of her birth, and the author made an appearance at The Rachel Carson Homestead. If you are a person who cares about the environment, Rachel Carson is a person you have to admire. She was extremely intelligent and faced many challenges to accomplish what she did. As indicated by this book’s title, many believe that Carson’s book, Silent Spring, brought to the forefront the damage that was being done to our earth and, in fact, was the beginning of the environmental movement as we now know it.
This book is a quick, easy read, yet very informative -- just the kind I like.Thursday, November 19, 2009
Birthday reading
Matthew and Gina gave me the book Bogs of the Northeast, by Charles W. Johnson, for my birthday in early October. I finished reading it about a week ago and found it to be a very informative book.
This past summer I was able to explore a few bogs, but didn’t really know too much about them. There was a lot to absorb in this book and, hopefully, I retained some of it. The book will also serve as a good source of reference in the future.
One thing I learned is that the proper term for these types of wetlands is peatlands, and that there are two types of peatlands – bogs and fens. A large fen in the Boston area was drained for development many years ago and is now the site of Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox. I’ve been a baseball fan almost all my life and never knew the origin of the stadium’s name until now
The book also has great sections covering the flora and fauna of peatlands, as well as uses of peat, both past and present. The last chapter is titled “Preservation or Obliteration?” In it, the author presents his thoughts on the future of peatlands and society’s role in preserving the ones that remain. Since the book was published in 1985, I’d be interested in how he feels we’ve done in the (almost) quarter century since then.
Bogs of the Northeast also contains a listing of selected peatlands that can be visited.
This past summer I was able to explore a few bogs, but didn’t really know too much about them. There was a lot to absorb in this book and, hopefully, I retained some of it. The book will also serve as a good source of reference in the future.
One thing I learned is that the proper term for these types of wetlands is peatlands, and that there are two types of peatlands – bogs and fens. A large fen in the Boston area was drained for development many years ago and is now the site of Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox. I’ve been a baseball fan almost all my life and never knew the origin of the stadium’s name until now
The book also has great sections covering the flora and fauna of peatlands, as well as uses of peat, both past and present. The last chapter is titled “Preservation or Obliteration?” In it, the author presents his thoughts on the future of peatlands and society’s role in preserving the ones that remain. Since the book was published in 1985, I’d be interested in how he feels we’ve done in the (almost) quarter century since then.
Bogs of the Northeast also contains a listing of selected peatlands that can be visited.Friday, November 13, 2009
NOW...and then
Last evening Char and I attended the annual dinner of the Johnstown Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). At this dinner, NOW honors someone as the Person of the Year. The award winner for 2009 was Dr. Susan Anderson, superintendent of the Westmont Hilltop School District (from which Matthew and I graduated). Susan and Char graduated in the same class at Conemaugh Township High School and were friends a few decades ago.
Also at the dinner, Char gave a little talk about the Witnesses to Hunger exhibit that she is spearheading. The exhibit will be in Johnstown for almost three weeks this coming February. For someone who doesn’t like to speak in front of large crowds, she did an excellent job!
Another highlight of attending the NOW dinner each year is sitting with Alice and Kathleen, who never fail to provide an evening of entertainment with the stories of their real-life adventures.
On the “then” side of things…I just finished reading a book that is mostly about our area’s heritage, history, and culture. It is Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains: The First Frontier, by Dave Hurst. Last week I attended a discussion and book signing with the author at the Johnstown Area Heritage Association’s Discovery Center. The book is small and easy to read – it must be if I read it in a week in my spare time. It’s filled with a lot of interesting information about our area, though, and I enjoyed it.
Dave Hurst writes a regionally syndicated newspaper column. This book is a collection of some of those columns that have been reworked so that they won't go out of date being in book form as time passes.
Also at the dinner, Char gave a little talk about the Witnesses to Hunger exhibit that she is spearheading. The exhibit will be in Johnstown for almost three weeks this coming February. For someone who doesn’t like to speak in front of large crowds, she did an excellent job!
Another highlight of attending the NOW dinner each year is sitting with Alice and Kathleen, who never fail to provide an evening of entertainment with the stories of their real-life adventures.
On the “then” side of things…I just finished reading a book that is mostly about our area’s heritage, history, and culture. It is Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains: The First Frontier, by Dave Hurst. Last week I attended a discussion and book signing with the author at the Johnstown Area Heritage Association’s Discovery Center. The book is small and easy to read – it must be if I read it in a week in my spare time. It’s filled with a lot of interesting information about our area, though, and I enjoyed it.
Dave Hurst writes a regionally syndicated newspaper column. This book is a collection of some of those columns that have been reworked so that they won't go out of date being in book form as time passes.Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Winter is coming...
It must be, because I saw my first Dark-eyed Junco last Wednesday. These cute little birds head "south" for the winter to our area and usually stay until April, when they head home again. After doing some yard work, I was resting on our front porch and spotted a single Junco, but I'm sure more will soon be appearing.
This isn't the bird I saw last Wednesday -- I didn't get a picture of that one. This is one I photographed in our front yard in March, 2009. He's holding a sunflower seed.
This isn't the bird I saw last Wednesday -- I didn't get a picture of that one. This is one I photographed in our front yard in March, 2009. He's holding a sunflower seed.Sunday, October 11, 2009
A Sunday drive
I spent about eight hours today photographing fall scenes in Somerset and Fayette counties. Included in my “tour” were four covered bridges, a restored train station, and Ohiopyle State Park. At Ohiopyle State Park, I visited beautiful Cucumber Falls for the first time.
At 162 feet in length, the Barronvale Covered Bridge is the longest in Somerset County. According to the placard, it was built in 1830. Other sources list the date built as either 1846 or 1902. It spans Laurel Hill Creek. The Barronvale Covered Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 11, 1980.
This photo was taken from the Loop kayak Take-out spot along the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle in Fayette County. The Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile biking trail between Cumberland, Maryland, and Pittsburgh, crosses the Yough on the old railroad trestle. The view from up on the trestle is outstanding.
Within Ohiopyle State Park is Cucumber Falls, a 30-foot bridal veil waterfall on Cucumber Run.
This farm on PA Route 381 in Westmoreland County is a pretty scene in any season. The sheep found my presence intriguing.
At 162 feet in length, the Barronvale Covered Bridge is the longest in Somerset County. According to the placard, it was built in 1830. Other sources list the date built as either 1846 or 1902. It spans Laurel Hill Creek. The Barronvale Covered Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 11, 1980. 
This photo was taken from the Loop kayak Take-out spot along the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle in Fayette County. The Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile biking trail between Cumberland, Maryland, and Pittsburgh, crosses the Yough on the old railroad trestle. The view from up on the trestle is outstanding.
Within Ohiopyle State Park is Cucumber Falls, a 30-foot bridal veil waterfall on Cucumber Run.
This farm on PA Route 381 in Westmoreland County is a pretty scene in any season. The sheep found my presence intriguing. Thursday, October 8, 2009
A brief getaway -- part two
Here are just a few more photos from our trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
A Great Egret looks for lunch at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
Sunset on the Chesapeake Bay as seen from the widow's walk just outside our third floor room at the Wades Point Inn.
Soybean fields dotted the landscape as we drove around the Eastern Shore. Here a beautiful cloud formation filled the sky over one of the soybean fields. Click on the photo to enlarge it and get the full impact of the image.
This is a private cove just off of the Chesapeake Bay at the Wades Point Inn. The kayaks are for the use of the guests. With having to get in and out of the kayaks from a floating dock, and being novice kayakers, we felt it best to pass this time.
A Great Egret looks for lunch at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
Sunset on the Chesapeake Bay as seen from the widow's walk just outside our third floor room at the Wades Point Inn.
Soybean fields dotted the landscape as we drove around the Eastern Shore. Here a beautiful cloud formation filled the sky over one of the soybean fields. Click on the photo to enlarge it and get the full impact of the image.
This is a private cove just off of the Chesapeake Bay at the Wades Point Inn. The kayaks are for the use of the guests. With having to get in and out of the kayaks from a floating dock, and being novice kayakers, we felt it best to pass this time. Wednesday, October 7, 2009
A brief getaway
Char and I took a mini-vacation to the Eastern Shore of Maryland a few days ago. Although our plan was to leave Friday morning, on the spur-of-the-moment we left Thursday evening and drove to the Annapolis area. This left us with only a little over an hour driving on Friday morning to reach our destination, giving us, basically, a full day there.
Our base while on the Eastern Shore was the Wades Point Inn, five miles west of St. Michaels. The inn, built in 1819, is a beautiful old mansion that sits right on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay.
We spent most of Friday exploring Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. On Saturday, I checked out several historical sights, including the birthplaces of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, while Char relaxed by the harbor at St. Michaels. Sunday we took an almost three-hour cruise on the Chesapeake Bay aboard the Rebecca T. Ruark, the oldest skipjack in the United States. Sunday evening we went to a small nightclub, the Night Cat, in Easton, to listen to two young ladies perform.
The weather was nice, enabling us to get in some outdoor activities and enjoy our short getaway.
At Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, I spotted this small male Chickweed Geometer moth. If you click on this photo to enlarge it, you'll see that his antennae are "feathery." This is what determines that it's a male. A geometer moth is one of thousands of moths in the family that comes from inchworm caterpillars. The name "geometer" ultimately derives from the term "earth measurer," which is, in effect, how the inchworm got its name -- appearing to measure the earth as it moves.
This was the third time we've stayed at Wades Point Inn. The inn is located on 72 acres, which are available for guests to explore. There is a small wetlands area, a pond, walking trails, and, of course, the Chesapeake Bay just outside the door!
Char relaxes in a hammock at the Wades Point Inn with the Chesapeake Bay in the background.
Here I am at the wheel of the Rebecca T. Ruark, the oldest skipjack in the United States. It was built in 1886. The "National Historic Landmark" sign refers to the boat, not to me. Skipjacks are the last working sailboats in the country. At one time there were hundreds of skipjacks "oystering" in the Chesapeake Bay. There are only about 40 remaining, with about half of those in the tourist trade, such as this one.
Our base while on the Eastern Shore was the Wades Point Inn, five miles west of St. Michaels. The inn, built in 1819, is a beautiful old mansion that sits right on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay.
We spent most of Friday exploring Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. On Saturday, I checked out several historical sights, including the birthplaces of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, while Char relaxed by the harbor at St. Michaels. Sunday we took an almost three-hour cruise on the Chesapeake Bay aboard the Rebecca T. Ruark, the oldest skipjack in the United States. Sunday evening we went to a small nightclub, the Night Cat, in Easton, to listen to two young ladies perform.
The weather was nice, enabling us to get in some outdoor activities and enjoy our short getaway.
At Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, I spotted this small male Chickweed Geometer moth. If you click on this photo to enlarge it, you'll see that his antennae are "feathery." This is what determines that it's a male. A geometer moth is one of thousands of moths in the family that comes from inchworm caterpillars. The name "geometer" ultimately derives from the term "earth measurer," which is, in effect, how the inchworm got its name -- appearing to measure the earth as it moves.
This was the third time we've stayed at Wades Point Inn. The inn is located on 72 acres, which are available for guests to explore. There is a small wetlands area, a pond, walking trails, and, of course, the Chesapeake Bay just outside the door!
Char relaxes in a hammock at the Wades Point Inn with the Chesapeake Bay in the background.
Here I am at the wheel of the Rebecca T. Ruark, the oldest skipjack in the United States. It was built in 1886. The "National Historic Landmark" sign refers to the boat, not to me. Skipjacks are the last working sailboats in the country. At one time there were hundreds of skipjacks "oystering" in the Chesapeake Bay. There are only about 40 remaining, with about half of those in the tourist trade, such as this one. Sunday, September 20, 2009
Clear Shade Wild Area
Char and I took advantage of yet another spectacular (almost) fall day and hiked the 1.7-mile Bog Trail at the Clear Shade Wild Area. It’s part of the Gallitzin State Forest, and is located in Ogle Township, Somerset County.
Many of the ferns have started to change color, and are very pretty.
A view of the bog, with lots of Tawny Cottongrass. If you click on this photo to enlarge it, you can see the detail of the Tawny Cottongrass -- especially the large patch further out in the bog.
Char on the path at the bog. At a few areas in the bog, there is a boardwalk constructed to help keep shoes dry and protect the bog. The rest of the trail is mostly through forest, using blaze markings on trees as guides.
Char pauses to see where I am. I use the opportunity to take her photo.
Many of the ferns have started to change color, and are very pretty.
A view of the bog, with lots of Tawny Cottongrass. If you click on this photo to enlarge it, you can see the detail of the Tawny Cottongrass -- especially the large patch further out in the bog.
Char on the path at the bog. At a few areas in the bog, there is a boardwalk constructed to help keep shoes dry and protect the bog. The rest of the trail is mostly through forest, using blaze markings on trees as guides.
Char pauses to see where I am. I use the opportunity to take her photo.Saturday, September 19, 2009
Saturday afternoon baseball
It was another beautiful early fall day in southwestern Pennsylvania. I took advantage of it by attending a Saturday afternoon game at PNC Park – “The Most Beautiful Ballpark in America.”
Saturday afternoon games used to be a staple of the Pirates schedule, but not in recent years. The new management team decided to include two on the schedule this year, and I attended both of them.
Beyond the rightfield stands at PNC Park is an area known as the Riverwalk. From there you can watch the Allegheny River traffic and get a nice view of the Pittsburgh skyline. The bridge is the Roberto Clemente Bridge, named in honor of the late Pirates Hall of Famer.
A portion of the wall from Forbes Field, the Pirates' home from 1909 to 1970, was reconstructed in the Riverwalk area. Bill Mazeroski's game-winning home run against the New York Yankees in the bottom of the ninth inning of the seventh game of the 1960 World Series went over the wall just to the left of the 406 foot sign.
My view today from along the thirdbase line. Here, Pirates rookie Andrew McCutchen bats in the bottom of the first inning. The Pirates would lose today 2-1.
Another view from my seat, this one with a look at the scoreboard and the Pittsburgh skyline.
Saturday afternoon games used to be a staple of the Pirates schedule, but not in recent years. The new management team decided to include two on the schedule this year, and I attended both of them.
Beyond the rightfield stands at PNC Park is an area known as the Riverwalk. From there you can watch the Allegheny River traffic and get a nice view of the Pittsburgh skyline. The bridge is the Roberto Clemente Bridge, named in honor of the late Pirates Hall of Famer.
A portion of the wall from Forbes Field, the Pirates' home from 1909 to 1970, was reconstructed in the Riverwalk area. Bill Mazeroski's game-winning home run against the New York Yankees in the bottom of the ninth inning of the seventh game of the 1960 World Series went over the wall just to the left of the 406 foot sign. 
My view today from along the thirdbase line. Here, Pirates rookie Andrew McCutchen bats in the bottom of the first inning. The Pirates would lose today 2-1.
Another view from my seat, this one with a look at the scoreboard and the Pittsburgh skyline. Friday, September 18, 2009
Kayaking on the Que
Well, now I can cross kayaking off my Bucket List. Today, my friend, Sue Povich, took me out to the Quemahoning Reservoir in Somerset County, and gave me a lesson in Kayaking 101.
Being a person who doesn’t know how to swim, I was a bit nervous at first. Of course I was wearing a PFD, but still, it’s a bit unsettling being in a body of water the size of the Que, and not being a swimmer.
Sue gave me a short demonstration of how to get into the kayak, the different paddle strokes (going forward, turning, backing up, etc.), and how to disembark.
It what we took to be a good omen, as soon as I sat in the kayak, a Ruby Meadowhawk dragonfly landed on my hand! I was still on the shore, and hadn’t even settled in. “Ruby” must have known that I am a dragonfly lover and came over to greet me.
After a short “get acquainted to the feel” of being in the water in the kayak with Sue holding on to it, she gave me a push out into the water. The area was just loaded with dragonflies and damselflies in a variety of species! A number of them landed on me at various times, and they were flying around me all throughout my time on the water.
Sue walked along the shore, keeping an eye on me, while I got used to using the paddles and working on getting my paddle strokes down. After watching me from the shore for a while, Sue asked if I wanted to try to paddle across the cove to the other side. Did I hear her right? That’s open water! And there was a bit of a breeze. But I went for it. As I started across, both Sue and I heard the distinctive chattering of a Belted Kingfisher in the area. After arriving at the “far side” (so to speak), Sue asked if I wanted to continue down that shoreline. When I asked if she felt I would then be able to cross back over the much wider expanse of open water from a certain point in the distance, Sue replied in the affirmative. Off I went!
The goal was to go to an area that had been improved with campsites and a boat launch. Sue was there waiting for me – I discovered that she can walk faster than I can paddle. What I found out, though, was that the way the water was moving in that area, combined with the wind, I wasn’t making a lot of progress. I told Sue that I felt it best if I just headed back across the reservoir.
I then paddled back across and did another short “tour” of the shore where we started. Next, I went effortlessly back down to our “put in” spot and, somehow, disembarked without falling in the water.
It was a beautiful day to be on the water. With the leaves beginning to change color, crisp blue skies, and the temperature in the low 70s, it couldn’t have been better. Well, there was a bit of a breeze, but it wasn’t bad.
Thanks, Sue! Now we’ll see how my arms feel tomorrow.
Sue shows me how it's done with a short demonstration.
Here I am paddling along the shore in a cove at the Que. I later paddled to the opposite shore, then down that side and back across at a point further down.
Here I am bringing it back in to the shore.
The trees are starting to show their fall colors. This photo, and the two of me, were taken by Sue.
Being a person who doesn’t know how to swim, I was a bit nervous at first. Of course I was wearing a PFD, but still, it’s a bit unsettling being in a body of water the size of the Que, and not being a swimmer.
Sue gave me a short demonstration of how to get into the kayak, the different paddle strokes (going forward, turning, backing up, etc.), and how to disembark.
It what we took to be a good omen, as soon as I sat in the kayak, a Ruby Meadowhawk dragonfly landed on my hand! I was still on the shore, and hadn’t even settled in. “Ruby” must have known that I am a dragonfly lover and came over to greet me.
After a short “get acquainted to the feel” of being in the water in the kayak with Sue holding on to it, she gave me a push out into the water. The area was just loaded with dragonflies and damselflies in a variety of species! A number of them landed on me at various times, and they were flying around me all throughout my time on the water.
Sue walked along the shore, keeping an eye on me, while I got used to using the paddles and working on getting my paddle strokes down. After watching me from the shore for a while, Sue asked if I wanted to try to paddle across the cove to the other side. Did I hear her right? That’s open water! And there was a bit of a breeze. But I went for it. As I started across, both Sue and I heard the distinctive chattering of a Belted Kingfisher in the area. After arriving at the “far side” (so to speak), Sue asked if I wanted to continue down that shoreline. When I asked if she felt I would then be able to cross back over the much wider expanse of open water from a certain point in the distance, Sue replied in the affirmative. Off I went!
The goal was to go to an area that had been improved with campsites and a boat launch. Sue was there waiting for me – I discovered that she can walk faster than I can paddle. What I found out, though, was that the way the water was moving in that area, combined with the wind, I wasn’t making a lot of progress. I told Sue that I felt it best if I just headed back across the reservoir.
I then paddled back across and did another short “tour” of the shore where we started. Next, I went effortlessly back down to our “put in” spot and, somehow, disembarked without falling in the water.
It was a beautiful day to be on the water. With the leaves beginning to change color, crisp blue skies, and the temperature in the low 70s, it couldn’t have been better. Well, there was a bit of a breeze, but it wasn’t bad.
Thanks, Sue! Now we’ll see how my arms feel tomorrow.
Sue shows me how it's done with a short demonstration.
Here I am paddling along the shore in a cove at the Que. I later paddled to the opposite shore, then down that side and back across at a point further down.
Here I am bringing it back in to the shore.
The trees are starting to show their fall colors. This photo, and the two of me, were taken by Sue.Thursday, September 17, 2009
Pitcher Plants...part two
Here are a few more photos of Northern Pitcher Plants that I took during yesterday's outing at a bog near Ogletown. Some of the leaves on these plants remind me of human organs, with the blood-red veins running through them.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Pitcher Plants...and more
Several weeks ago, my niece, Rhonda, and I had walked through the Cranberry Glades, near her home in Marlinton, West Virginia. In the Cranberry Glades were a number of interpretive panels describing the flora and fauna there. Pitcher Plants were supposed to be there, and we both were interested in seeing them, but neither of us noticed them.
A day or so ago, one of my Flickr (the web-site where I post many of my photos) “contacts” posted several photos of Pitcher Plants that were taken at a sphagnum bog near Ogletown, Somerset County. That’s only fifteen miles from my home – and I here I was looking for them in West Virginia!
I e-mailed John, who now lives in Altoona, and he was kind enough to give me turn-by-turn directions to the bog. He was originally from Windber, and his father still lives there. In fact, his father went so far as to take a drive out to the bog, just to check on the street signs for me. The thing is, up on the mountain roads, there were no street signs. But, the directions he gave me were perfect, and I easily found the bog. Thanks again, John!
Not only were there tons of Pitcher Plants there, there were all kinds of other neat things, too. As I squatted down beside a tiny stream in the bog to take a photo of a flower, I noticed a quick movement beside me. As I turned to look, a small snake slithered up onto, and over, a log. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo of it. The multi-colored sphagnum moss was just beautiful, too. The trees on the mountain top were starting to show tinges of orange and red, and with the temperature at sixty degrees, it felt a bit like fall. Just as I was leaving the bog, I noticed a beautiful spider in its web.
This is another place to which I’ll definitely return, especially in other seasons. After all, you’d think there would be some dragonflies out here for me to chase.
This is one small patch of Northern Pitcher Plants. They are insectivorous (insect-eating) plants, that collect small pools of water in their pitcher-shaped leaves. Insects are attracted to the pitchers, and are forced into the water by a lining of stiff, downward-pointing hairs. There a narcotic kills them, bacteria begin to decompose them, and enzymes convert them into usable nitrogen. I'll post a few more photos of these in my next post.
This is the flower (a bit past its prime, I believe) of a Northern Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea). The "pitchers" are the leaves of the plant, and the flowers grow up from amongst the leaves on stalks that are one- to two-feet tall.
This is some of the sphagnum moss in the bog. This species of moss likes acidic soil and is found in wet and boggy areas. It is generally found growing in thick, dense clumps. Often, as is the case in this bog, it grows so close that it forms a cushiony "bog mat" that floats on top of the water. In this small area the color ranged from almost white, to gold, to green, to pink, to rose. It was very pretty! (If you click on the above picture, you can see the detail a bit better.)
Speaking of very pretty, how about this guy? It's a Black-and-yellow Argiope spider (Argiope aurantia). The zig-zag pattern is always a part of their web design.
A day or so ago, one of my Flickr (the web-site where I post many of my photos) “contacts” posted several photos of Pitcher Plants that were taken at a sphagnum bog near Ogletown, Somerset County. That’s only fifteen miles from my home – and I here I was looking for them in West Virginia!
I e-mailed John, who now lives in Altoona, and he was kind enough to give me turn-by-turn directions to the bog. He was originally from Windber, and his father still lives there. In fact, his father went so far as to take a drive out to the bog, just to check on the street signs for me. The thing is, up on the mountain roads, there were no street signs. But, the directions he gave me were perfect, and I easily found the bog. Thanks again, John!
Not only were there tons of Pitcher Plants there, there were all kinds of other neat things, too. As I squatted down beside a tiny stream in the bog to take a photo of a flower, I noticed a quick movement beside me. As I turned to look, a small snake slithered up onto, and over, a log. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo of it. The multi-colored sphagnum moss was just beautiful, too. The trees on the mountain top were starting to show tinges of orange and red, and with the temperature at sixty degrees, it felt a bit like fall. Just as I was leaving the bog, I noticed a beautiful spider in its web.
This is another place to which I’ll definitely return, especially in other seasons. After all, you’d think there would be some dragonflies out here for me to chase.
This is one small patch of Northern Pitcher Plants. They are insectivorous (insect-eating) plants, that collect small pools of water in their pitcher-shaped leaves. Insects are attracted to the pitchers, and are forced into the water by a lining of stiff, downward-pointing hairs. There a narcotic kills them, bacteria begin to decompose them, and enzymes convert them into usable nitrogen. I'll post a few more photos of these in my next post.
This is the flower (a bit past its prime, I believe) of a Northern Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea). The "pitchers" are the leaves of the plant, and the flowers grow up from amongst the leaves on stalks that are one- to two-feet tall.
This is some of the sphagnum moss in the bog. This species of moss likes acidic soil and is found in wet and boggy areas. It is generally found growing in thick, dense clumps. Often, as is the case in this bog, it grows so close that it forms a cushiony "bog mat" that floats on top of the water. In this small area the color ranged from almost white, to gold, to green, to pink, to rose. It was very pretty! (If you click on the above picture, you can see the detail a bit better.)
Speaking of very pretty, how about this guy? It's a Black-and-yellow Argiope spider (Argiope aurantia). The zig-zag pattern is always a part of their web design.Monday, September 14, 2009
Right from the source
I had mentioned in my posts of July 30 and August 4 that the birds in our front yard were careless about throwing seeds to the ground and that, as a result we now had a little patch of sunflowers growing. My last report stated that two had bloomed. We ultimately had about 25 sunflowers of various sizes bloom in our little patch! The biggest was about 5” in diameter, while some were in the 2” - 3” range.
At various times we’d notice the birds using the stalks of the sunflowers as a resting place. And today, I guess because I didn’t put out any sunflower seeds in the feeder, an American Goldfinch decided he’d just get his right from the source!
A male American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) gets his sunflower seeds from a sunflower in our front yard. The sunflower was one that grew, ironically, from sunflower seeds dropped by birds from a feeder. This photo was taken from our living room, through a bay window. I also had to shoot in between two of the posts on the banister -- not an easy shot -- but worth the effort, I think.
This is a photo of our little sunflower patch that I took back on August 21, when there were a lot more sunflowers than there are now. I've had to thin the the patch out, as some have died, fallen over, or had their heads chewed off by predators -- probably deer.
At various times we’d notice the birds using the stalks of the sunflowers as a resting place. And today, I guess because I didn’t put out any sunflower seeds in the feeder, an American Goldfinch decided he’d just get his right from the source!
A male American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) gets his sunflower seeds from a sunflower in our front yard. The sunflower was one that grew, ironically, from sunflower seeds dropped by birds from a feeder. This photo was taken from our living room, through a bay window. I also had to shoot in between two of the posts on the banister -- not an easy shot -- but worth the effort, I think.
This is a photo of our little sunflower patch that I took back on August 21, when there were a lot more sunflowers than there are now. I've had to thin the the patch out, as some have died, fallen over, or had their heads chewed off by predators -- probably deer.Sunday, September 13, 2009
At the Wetlands
My professor friend, Dennis McNair, and I spent about three hours at Dunnings Creek Wetlands, a private reserve in Bedford County, this afternoon. And, it was another great biology lesson for me! In addition to a good variety of dragonflies and damselflies, we saw two whitetail deer, a Northern Harrier, a Great Blue Heron, a Lesser Yellowlegs, adult Stink Bugs, a baby Stink Bug, a Coneheaded Katydid, a Praying Mantis, a Toe-Biter, butterflies, and too much more to mention. It was a perfect day, too – sunny, with temperatures in the mid-70s.
A Praying Mantis poses for the camera at Dunnings Creek Wetlands today.
Dennis holds a Sword-bearing Conehead Katydid to examine it more closely.
This pretty frog was very small -- not much more than an inch long. It was in a "pothole" at the Wetlands.
Dennis tries (successfully) to stir up some activity at a pothole. This small area was teeming with all kinds of life -- swimming, crawling, and flying.
A Praying Mantis poses for the camera at Dunnings Creek Wetlands today.
Dennis holds a Sword-bearing Conehead Katydid to examine it more closely.
This pretty frog was very small -- not much more than an inch long. It was in a "pothole" at the Wetlands.
Dennis tries (successfully) to stir up some activity at a pothole. This small area was teeming with all kinds of life -- swimming, crawling, and flying.Monday, September 7, 2009
Matthew and Gina came over to our house today to join Char and me for a cookout. Unfortunately, it was a bit cool to eat outdoors, so although we cooked on the grill, we ate indoors.
We had locally grown corn that Char cooked on the grill in the husks. Matthew made small stuffed bell peppers that were done on the grill, too. We also had grilled hamburgers.
For dessert, it was Butterfinger ice cream on top of fudge brownies. And, yes, the brownies were done on the grill, too! Due to a technical malfunction with the oven when the brownies were ready to be baked, a last minute decision was made to try baking them on the grill. And, they were delicious!
It seems as though I’ll be shopping for a new oven in the very near future.
Matthew's stuffed bell peppers were very tasty!
Just about everything tastes better with Old Bay on it, and corn on the cob is one of those items.
The four of us raise our glasses before dinner. From the left, it's Matthew, Gina, Char, and me.
For dessert, it was fudge brownies (baked on the grill), topped with Butterfinger ice cream.
We had locally grown corn that Char cooked on the grill in the husks. Matthew made small stuffed bell peppers that were done on the grill, too. We also had grilled hamburgers.
For dessert, it was Butterfinger ice cream on top of fudge brownies. And, yes, the brownies were done on the grill, too! Due to a technical malfunction with the oven when the brownies were ready to be baked, a last minute decision was made to try baking them on the grill. And, they were delicious!
It seems as though I’ll be shopping for a new oven in the very near future.
Matthew's stuffed bell peppers were very tasty!
Just about everything tastes better with Old Bay on it, and corn on the cob is one of those items.
The four of us raise our glasses before dinner. From the left, it's Matthew, Gina, Char, and me.
For dessert, it was fudge brownies (baked on the grill), topped with Butterfinger ice cream. Saturday, September 5, 2009
Outside
I spent a few hours outside today. The first spot I visited was a new spot for me. It was a little cove at the Quemahoning Dam where Char has been going with some friends recently to kayak. I’ve been around the “Que” many times over the years, but I’ve never been back into the area where this cove is.
At the Que cove, I spotted a few varieties of dragonflies and damselfies, including Widow Skimmers, Eastern Amberwings, and Violet Dancers. While in some bushes trailing a Ruby Meadowhawk, I spotted a Green Stink Bug. That distracted me long enough that I lost sight of the Ruby Meadowhawk.
I then stopped at the Orenda Park, home of the Boswell National Historic District. I’ve driven by here many times, but have never stopped. Today seemed like a good day to do so. It was an interesting little park, very well maintained, with informative plaques. In 1920, the largest coal tipple and viaduct in the world were located in Boswell! The Merchants Coal Company there employed 507 workers at that time, which I find amazing for what is now such a small town. The remains of some of the old buildings from those days are in the park. The park also has a beautiful modern gazebo and strategically placed benches for the benefit of visitors.
It was then off to one of my favorite nearby spots, Mallards Rest. This is a reclaimed Acid Mine Drainage site and boasts a variety of birds, wildflowers, and bugs. Today I even heard – and saw the resultant splash – of either a beaver or muskrat. I also flushed out a Great Blue Heron twice; I was apparently too close for his liking.
Compared to my earlier visits to Mallards Rest this summer, the variety and number of dragonflies and damselflies was down, however I still saw quite a few. Included were Ebony Jewelwings, Common Green Darners, Ruby Meadowhawks, and Blue Dashers.
Today’s visit, as always, found a great selection of wildflowers in bloom. Goldenrod, Joe-Pye Weed, Spotted Jewelweed, Wild Basil, Pokeberry, and a number of species of asters were some of the species that I noticed. I also enjoy being able to identify a species (of anything) for the first time, and today that species was Sneezeweed.
It was a great day to be outside, with the temperature in the low 70s, and low humidity. Summer is fading fast.
A Green Stink Bug (Acrosternum hilare) climbs up a plant at the Quemahoning Dam.
Two fishermen enjoy the afternoon at Mallards Rest in Somerset County.
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is a member of the Aster family. It gets its common name from the fact that the dried leaves of the plant were used to make snuff. When inhaled, the sneezing would rid the body of evil spirits. Photographed at Mallards Rest.
A Ruby Meadowhawk dragonfly (Sympetrum rubicundulum) looks down the barrel of my camera lens at Mallards Rest. Isn't he cute?
At the Que cove, I spotted a few varieties of dragonflies and damselfies, including Widow Skimmers, Eastern Amberwings, and Violet Dancers. While in some bushes trailing a Ruby Meadowhawk, I spotted a Green Stink Bug. That distracted me long enough that I lost sight of the Ruby Meadowhawk.
I then stopped at the Orenda Park, home of the Boswell National Historic District. I’ve driven by here many times, but have never stopped. Today seemed like a good day to do so. It was an interesting little park, very well maintained, with informative plaques. In 1920, the largest coal tipple and viaduct in the world were located in Boswell! The Merchants Coal Company there employed 507 workers at that time, which I find amazing for what is now such a small town. The remains of some of the old buildings from those days are in the park. The park also has a beautiful modern gazebo and strategically placed benches for the benefit of visitors.
It was then off to one of my favorite nearby spots, Mallards Rest. This is a reclaimed Acid Mine Drainage site and boasts a variety of birds, wildflowers, and bugs. Today I even heard – and saw the resultant splash – of either a beaver or muskrat. I also flushed out a Great Blue Heron twice; I was apparently too close for his liking.
Compared to my earlier visits to Mallards Rest this summer, the variety and number of dragonflies and damselflies was down, however I still saw quite a few. Included were Ebony Jewelwings, Common Green Darners, Ruby Meadowhawks, and Blue Dashers.
Today’s visit, as always, found a great selection of wildflowers in bloom. Goldenrod, Joe-Pye Weed, Spotted Jewelweed, Wild Basil, Pokeberry, and a number of species of asters were some of the species that I noticed. I also enjoy being able to identify a species (of anything) for the first time, and today that species was Sneezeweed.
It was a great day to be outside, with the temperature in the low 70s, and low humidity. Summer is fading fast.
A Green Stink Bug (Acrosternum hilare) climbs up a plant at the Quemahoning Dam.
Two fishermen enjoy the afternoon at Mallards Rest in Somerset County.
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is a member of the Aster family. It gets its common name from the fact that the dried leaves of the plant were used to make snuff. When inhaled, the sneezing would rid the body of evil spirits. Photographed at Mallards Rest.
A Ruby Meadowhawk dragonfly (Sympetrum rubicundulum) looks down the barrel of my camera lens at Mallards Rest. Isn't he cute?
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