PA Nature Guide

PA Nature Guide Blog Move

2008-07-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

PA Nature Guide is growing. So it is time to increase PNG "blogability". The PNG blog has moved to http://panatureguide.com/blog. This link will take you directly to the new blog site.

Of course you can always access the blog at the web site "http://www.panatureguide.com/blogs/blog.htm".

Posts on this site will remain for a while, but they have been moved to the new site as well. New posts will be on the new site only.

You will find it easier to comment at the new site and we'll be taking avantage of the additional features available.

Thanks for your support and Don't forget to change your blog bookmark!

2008-06-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

It's easy to get depressed about the gas prices, but if you love the outdoors you should really consider the enjoyment of spending time walking, hiking or backpacking. You may be surprised at the opportunities there are for these activities withing 50 miles of your home. Even a $4.00 a gallon you can get there and back for $20 or less if get 20 miles plus per gallon. I just spent more than that to see a movie in a local theater. Get out and enjoy some of the Pennsylvania nature. It's great fun and it won't break the bank.

2008-06-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

The PNG (PA Nature Guide) trip to the PA wilds was great. We found some new areas to explore in eastern Elk State Forest. The picture (fawn) you see was taken on a walk about a mile from route 6 in western Potter county. We rounded a bend and there was a doe on the path and she was not ready to leave the area. Snorting and stomping and stepping back to try and draw our attend to her. I immediately suspected a newborn fawn in the area. After some careful searching and walking right by the fawn we discovered it hiding in some ferns and dry leaves. If you have never seen this before, it's quite an experience. Nature's camouflage is outstanding. We spent a few minutes taking pictures and there was not a single flinch from the fawn. Even it's eyes did not move. We ended the photo session as soon as possible then vacated the area so the doe could reunite with her little one. She had not gone far and we could hear her calling.

We also spent time in the Quehanna wild area at Red Run road. We did not see any elk. They and the deer do not have to move much this time of the year for food. Birds of special interest that we observed were, Eastern Kingbird (nesting pair), Belted Kingfisher, and Northern "yellow shafted" Flicker. We also saw plenty of tree and barn swallows, a couple pairs of house wrens, blue birds, humingbirds and a nesting pair of Northern Baltimore Oriole's.

In addition to the hikes we took some driving tours. A particularly enjoyable drive was a back road that starts not far from Wrights PA and passes near Keating Summit then on to Gardeau and ends in Sizerville (state park). The history in this area is interesting and includes stories of hidden silver dating early 1800's exploration and travel through the area. The Susquehanna and Sinnemahoning rivers were used to travel to Keating Summit and from that point the water shed feeds the Allegany river system. These rivers in turn provided access to lake Erie and Canadian settlements.

We visited the tomb of Colonel Noah Parker who supposedly was commissioned to find the silver and later settled in the area. A narratitive on the subject written by Francis X. Scully can be found at http://www.coudy.com/Austin/Scully3.htm. The history of old lumber ghost towns such as Gardeau and Sizerville are very engaging and worth the time to investigate if you are at all interested in early Pennsylvania history.

Stay tuned to www. panatureguide.com for new pictures and hiking and touring recommendations.

Preparations begin

2008-05-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

The time for the first PA Nature Guide outing has arrived. Our camera and gear are being checked and packed. We're looking forward to recording pictures of many species of wildlife from the Pennsylvania wilds and reporting on the condition and use of serveral trails in the area from May 30th thru June 8th. June is bueatiful in the wilds. The laurel and wild flowers should be blooming and many species of birds are migrating through. We might even find some time for some trout fishing and star gazing. Watch for web site updates after June 8th.

Next Trip

2008-05-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Spring fever has now hit me full force. Day dreaming and thinking of cool evenings in the PA outback is now a constant activity. So we're heading for northwest PA in early June to soak up some more nature and take some more pictures to add to our catalog. I expect to hike in the Quehana wild area and along the Sinnamahoning River in Cameron county. This is Elk country so an attempt will be made to catch some good pics of them in their natural habitat.

There are also some great trout streams in the area and it's a great time of the year for wild flowers.

Global Environment Issues - root cause

2008-04-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

Like everyone, from time to time I need to get something off my chest, hypothetically speaking.

There is plenty of information proving that in recent history the global climate is warmer. At least it is where I live. I will argue with no one that greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have increased. It is a fact that more fossil fuels are in use today and their use will continue to rise. And, let's not forget that petroleum is used not only for gas, but for plastic bottles, clothing material, plastic bags and other products that have become part of most humans everyday life.

There are more asphalt rooftops, asphalt parking lots and roads that radiate heat back into the atmosphere. We continue to rely on an expanding economy to supply our need for more stuff, and more domesticated land to feed and house the ever increasing number of people on this planet. There is also an ever increasing number of domesticated cattle putting methane into the atmosphere.

So, I have asked myself, what is the common thread in all of this? Why is the climate warmer today? Why are many of our environments in distress? I submit that greenhouse gases, cattle, rooftops and parking lots are a cause, but not the root cause. I submit that it is because of the number of people that need food and shelter. And, that the only way to keep all of these people comfortable is to use the technologies that currently contribute to the greenhouse gases and the destruction of our natural environment.

One might argue that if we had better, planet friendly technology we could solve this problem. I think our problem is bigger than that. I believe we have a population problem. And I'm doubtful that our technology will expand in time to stay clean and also service the world population. So I have come to the conclusion that too many humans on this planet is the "root cause" of our environmental issues.

Well that's easy for me to say, right! "Just how do you propose to fix that?", one might ask. I think I'll save this subject for another post. But, here is some food for thought. We might start by incenting people to have less children rather than incenting them to have more.

I promise my next post will be more upbeat. I'll write something about planning my next outdoor adventure.

First Post

2008-04-24T13:37:00.000-07:00

Good day everyone.

There is a wealth of information on the internet about nature and wildlife in the state of Pennsylvania. However, I've decided to start a web site dedicated to bringing information about Pennsylvania nature together at one spot. It is intended to be a guide for those who love the outdoors and enjoying all that nature has to offer or are new to exploring the outdoors and want to get started.

In addition to the web site, I've started this blog to record journals, suggestions, photography and stories of places that I and others have visited. Visit www.panatureguide.com for more details on the natural wonders Pennsylvania has to offer. The web is brand new and already has many links to information about plants and animals in the state.