Hi! I don't know how this "Blogging" thing will work out, but I thought I'd give it a try. I don't think I'll be posting on a daily basis; more likely a few times a week. The frequency of my posts will depend on how busy I am, how much is happening in my life, etc.
I'm in my late fifties, have been retired a few years, and reside in beautiful southwestern Pennsylvania. I enjoy photography and getting out into nature. Today I was able to do a little of both.
This summer I've been fortunate to become friends with Dr. Dennis McNair, a biology professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. He has had a years-long love affair with odonates (dragonflies and damselflies). I've enjoyed being able to accompany Dennis on a number of outings over the past few months to various locations in Cambria, Bedford, Somerset, and Indiana counties. It's like being in an outdoor classroom. I've enjoyed photographing odonates the last few years, and with Dennis' mentoring, now I'm learning a lot about them, too. In addition, I'm learning about many other wonders of the natural world during these outings.
Today Dennis and I spent a few hours at Yellow Creek State Park in Indiana County. Although conditions for viewing weren't ideal, we were still able to spot over a dozen species of dragonflies and damselflies.
Many photos from these outings are posted at my Flickr photostream. Other photos at this web-site include Mail Pouch barns, lighthouses, covered bridges, baseball parks, and birds. If you have a few minutes sometime and would like to check it out, the address is: www.flickr.com/photos/harry_hunt
By the way, the reason for refering to myself as Minor Leaguer in this Blog is that I've visited 80 minor league baseball parks during the last few decades. Baseball is the only sport that I follow, and I enjoy the atmosphere of the minor leagues. I've been to parks from Maine to Florida to California. Hopefully from time to time there will be a post from another ballpark that I've had the fortune to visit.
About Me
- Minor Leaguer
- Johns-town, PA, United States
- I'm a retired male in my late 50s. I enjoy photography, minor league baseball, getting out into nature, and reading (although I don't do as much as I'd like to). I'm married, with an adult son, who is also married. I was born, grew up, and still live in southwestern Pennsylvania. It's a beautiful area with mountains, rivers, and forests.
Our wildflower garden
Started in 2001, it's filled out pretty nicely now.
Male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
This beautiful butterfly is enjoying a taste of one of our Butterfly Bushes today.
Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris thysbe)
This small creature is in the Sphinx Moth family and is also known as the Common Clearwing Moth. They are very small, with a wingspan of only 1 1/2 to 2 inches, and hover at flowers much like a Hummingbird. This one visited our garden today.
Turk’s-cap Lily (Lilium superbum)
This beautiful flower was spotted on the trail that circles the Dragonfly Pond at Yellowcreek State Park. Its scientific name pretty much describes it -- superb lily!
Male Halloween Pennant Dragonfly (Celithemis eponina)
This fellow is one of over a dozen species of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) that Dennis and I saw at Yellow Creek State Park today.
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