First Day of Autumn; Sept. 22, 2012

After too long a period of time, I am happy to be back and adding a new post to my blog; and have just discovered that it is now easier to add pictures....so will be quicker to update from this point forward.

Today began the first day of Autumn. What a beautiful day it was. Emma and I (my dog for any that have not been following my blog) headed out for a morning outing.

The view looking toward the woods from my parking spot...and by chance my last official picture taken during the Summer of 2012, as Autumn began a few minutes later.

I headed northeast, in the direction of the distant trees in the picture above. I had a first destination in mind that I wanted to photograph, but as so often happens, the day sometimes sets it's own pace or schedule, and I never did get to that spot.

Looking overhead, there were numerous Turkey Vultures circling......you don't get me today buddy!
Keep moving along......


I encountered several large puffballs along the way. I have never eaten these, but have read and been told they are edible and tasty when properly prepared. It must have been hat day for them......a bit odd....but proper protection from the elements I suppose......

As I was moving along through the woods at the edge of a clearing, I detected a very distinctive odor....decaying flesh. I started looking about and came across this Whitetail Buck. If I had found him, and those in the following pictures, a few weeks from now; I would have assumed they were casualties of the hunting season, that a hunter could not find. These all must have passed on from old age/natural causes.

This doe was laying near the river, and again I found her from the smell.

As I looked down the river bank, I saw what appeared to be antlers, and found the carcass of a nice buck at the water's edge. You always hear that a deer will head to water when they are dying. I would say that this big guy was sipping water with his last bit of strength.

Of course, as typical of many of my posts.....you must see pictures of the Middlefork River

Emma absolutely loves her time on our hikes...as do I of course. She spends lots of time roaming about, and when near water, a great deal of time in it.

Along the way, I came across some Autumn Olives and stopped for a snack. I do not know why they have that name. There is no resemblance in appearance or tast to olives. They are quite sweet. I enjoy eating them, but would like to seem them all cleaned out and destroyed. They are an invasive species that spreads very rapidly, forcing out the native bushes.

What was on the menu for Box Turtles today? Well fall mushrooms of course! I came across this guy..possibly gal....munching on a mushroom. In the close up you can see that it had it's face buried into the mushroom....must be yummy.

Another Box Turtle I came across.

A nice Ginseng plant with berries. This plant is mature; could be dug; and the berries planted, but I left it to continue growing.

I was quite surprised to find a patch of Goldenseal as I passed through the woods. This is the first I have found in years. My grandfather always kept some dried roots on hand. He chewed them when he had a cold or sore throat. I could not pass up the opportunity to dig a few to have the roots for my own medicinal use.

The Goldenseal roots.....

To get one of the river pictures, I sat precariously perched on the edge of a high bank, with one foot braced against a small sapling growing out of the bank. I had taken a few pictures, when my phone rang...and of course I took the call. It was a guy that I used to buy screw and drag conveyors from when I worked at a former company...and who was also a friend after all those years. I had not heard from him for a while, so had a nice conversation perched above the river. As we were talking I commented to him that I saw something moving in the river, upstream in the distance. It turned out to be a River Otter. After getting off the phone, I experienced the high point of my hike...watching and photographing the Otter as it swam below me and kept moving closer. It appeared to be gathering food from the bottom of the river. I watched it till it disappeared downstream. What elegant creatures they are.....

With the Otter experience behind me, it was time to head back to the car, which was a mile or so away. As I got near the car, there were numerous Monarch butterflies. They will probably be migrating to warmer climates before too long.

Thus concluded a very nice hike. Emma and I headed home for a nap...........

As always...thanks for stopping by....get out there and enjoy the natural beauty in your area.

Across the River August 28

Sometime this summer, I had stumbled onto a large lake; deeply surrounded by thick brush and briers, very difficult to navigate through. It was also during the beginning of a very hot period that ended up lasting several weeks. Recently I decided to visit the lake again, trying an easier route to it. I started on the other side of the river from it, estimating about where I could find the south end of the lake. The river is very low...so crossing it was quite easy.....mostly stepped on stones through a very shallow area, but was glad that I had my Goretex hiking boots on.

As soon as I got across, I looked down and found an arrowhead......no not a primitive stone arrowhead...but as you can see a much more modern one. It appeared to have been in the river for quite some time. Right there is a perfect example of why I always where tennis shoes when I wade the river fishing or am canoeing. That would be quite unpleasant to step on with bare feet.

After climbing up the bank and working my way through the brush along the river's edge; I came out into a nice open area.

Passing through the meadow; I came across a small patch of Dogbane. It has some medicinal properties and is also a plant that was commonly used to make cordage from......bow strings, nets, bags, twine, etc.

I walked north through that area about a quarter mile or so, then entered into the wooded areas; and then started getting into the old strip mine area and knew the lake was probably close. I had to work my way through large areas of Autumn Olives. They are now loaded with fruit, but it was not quite ripe when I was there, but probably is by now. It is edible, BUT this shrub was imported here as an ornamental, then planted in areas.....such as strip mine land to slow down erosion......and will just take over an area.

This small drainage ditch comes out of the lake. Walking up to the lake though was not a good option. It was just surrounded by tall wetland type marsh grass. So I again, walked through brush and climbed some quite steep old hills left from the strip mining operations from long ago........and did reach the lake's edge. I would guess that very few people that live in this area know this lake is here; and fewer yet have probably ever seen it.

The lake appears to be completely surrounded by trees and brush; with one exception....at the very narrow south end....I  believe there is access to it from an old gravel road. My son and I were there once when we were using the bicycle trails and left them to explore a bit. From my best guess, I think that was probably one end of this lake.

I sat for a half hour or so at the lake edge, just relaxing, enjoying the view, and resting in the sun. 

From there I headed back out of the thick brush and just went to the river to follow it. Walking the stream bank, I spotted a pair of young deer ahead and on the other side of the river, probably about 200 yards when I first saw them. I slowly worked my way toward them, stopping when they looked up and also looking at them with my binoculars. I eventually got close enough to zoom in with my camera. I was amazed that they stayed put; and believe it was because of their youth and inexperience...they had to see my...and my two dogs were in and out of the river swimming. Perhaps they will survive the coming hunting season....perhaps not. A hunter may give them a "pass" because of their small size. (Click the picture for a better look.)

Not far from the river I came across a very interesting plant. A bit of research when I got home told me that it is the Green Dragon Plant (Arisaema dracontium). It is somewhat uncommon and is related to the much more common Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Apparently turkeys and a few other birds will feed on the seed, but it is poisonous to mammals.

Back across the river, through the river bottom, up a long hill to my car........and this outing was done....