Autumn Leaves

Our autumn foliage, although not at its peak yet, is colorful enough to entice one out for a nice afternoon drive through the countryside.

Our Sunday afternoon drive included traveling northbound on the Bark Road through a part of the Buchanan State Forest. In some sections the colors were quite nice

At one of our many stops my wife leaned over a small bridge with her little Lumix and shot this foliage reflection in the little rippling pool below. I think she captured the best shot of the day!

Icy Trails

Saturday morning found me on top of Sidling Hill Mountain.
Friday’s ice storm had passed by leaving a thick coat of ice everywhere.

Today the temperatures soared into the upper 40’s F and now only photographs and memories of this ice storm remain.

Lonely

In Search of Color

Following the magnificent sunrise I went in search of autumn foliage. Although by the calendar we have entered autumn, we are currently in the midst of an unusually hot dry spell. Our daytime highs have been hovering around 90 degrees with no measurable precipitation since late August. Combine this with the gypsy moth damage we experienced back in June and we have the perfect recipe for a lack-luster fall.

While walking along an old forest road the vivid colors and textures of these leaves illuminated by the morning sun shining through them caught my eye. The strong natural backlighting provided me with another “Country Capture”

Whitetails and their Impact

Unprotected

Protected

Pennsylvania DCNR (Department of Conservation & Natural Resources) has actively been attempting to reduce deer numbers on the State Forest lands under their control. Their position is based upon the damage the deer herd is doing to the timber production and the biodiversity on these lands. This has become a political “hot potato” in the Keystone State. Hunters want as many targets as possible and have been very vocal about the herd reductions impact upon their sport. Farmers trying to eke a living from the soil have also been seeking a reduction in deer numbers. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is caught in the unenviable position of trying to find a middle ground where all factions can arrive at a consensus.

The impact that deer have upon regenerating woodland, once only hypothetical, has now been put to the test. The photos accompanying this post were taken in an area clear cut a few years ago. Both were taken while standing upon the forestry road, first looking south where the new growth was allowed to naturally regenerate. The second was facing north where as you can see a deer retardant fence stands. Judge for yourself, but in my opinion the difference is clear cut.

Dino

When my wife viewed this image she saw a dinosaur butting a tree with his head. What do you see?

Scenic Vistas Defaced

While photographing our beautiful landscape at times I must be careful where I point my lens to avoid capturing scenes that are less than beautiful. Some folks who share our planet seem not to have any appreciation of the beauty God has bestowed upon our land.



This scenic vista can be seen from a natural overlook from the top of Tuscarora Mountain. The vantage point is located in the Buchanan State Forrest and is easily accessible.

Some of the folks who visit here feel led to leave more behind than others would care for. That their acts are illegal and frowned upon by most visitors does not hinder them in the least. According to our Forest Rangers the paint is most difficult to remove from the surface of the boulders. Forestry crews have tried a number of methods of removal and have settled on simply covering it up by spray painting over the graffiti with gray or brown auto primer to blend with the rock surface

The text of this graffiti seems to indicate an appreciation for nature but the act indicates otherwise.

Will archeologist many centuries from now study “21st Century” rock painting to gain a better understanding of the “primitive people” who lived during this time?

I cannot help but wonder

Heavy Metal on the Mountain

While walking in the Buchanan State Forest I came upon four of these interesting objects. From their appearance they may have supported the legs of a fire tower at some time in the past. Whatever their usages may have been I found it an interesting object to photograph.

The Common Mullen Cont.

The stately Mullen, considered a weed by many, stands with its flower spike erect. It has been used as a medicinal plant in the past for the treatment of many ailments. Native Americans are reported to have used its large leaves as bandages.

This photo show a large group of first year plants with a few second year plants mixed in.

As is frequently said, Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder. While many see the Mullen as a noxious weed I see it as one more beautiful plant in this wondrous creation that we have the privilege to spend our few years in.

Foggy Mountain (Breakdown)

Today I seem to be suffering from mental block. I like this photograph and wanted to post it. I just could not find a title no matter how hard I tried. What do all good husbands do when they don’t have the answer? Ask the wife, of course!

With one glance she exclaimed Foggy Mountain! Leave it to the girls, they ALWAYS have the answer! I added the breakdown thus naming it after the Flatt & Scruggs bluegrass song.

The Foggy Mountain Boys (1948-1969) was the name of the Flatt & Scruggs band, with the Foggy Mountain Breakdown as their opening tune. For you old-timers out there, do you remember The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction? If you do then you remember these boys music.

The Boulders

In literature we frequently find references to rocks. They are seen as being solid, durable, strong, and impenetrable. In times past rocks were used to build pyramids, fortresses, and many other massive imposing structures. During our Civil War General Thomas J. Jackson earned his name “Stonewall” at the battle of the First Bull Run for standing in the midst of shot and shell unflinching. General George H. Thomas earned the nickname “The Rock of Chickamauga defending Chickamauga Creek in northwestern Georgia.

Have you noticed how banks and large government buildings are frequently made of stone? Mankind’s intuitions are only as strong as the faith of the people. Imposing masonry structures have an aurora of strength, stability, and permanence designed to bolster our faith in them. Just like the soldiers mentioned above they may not be as solid and eternal as they first appear. They may in fact be supported by only a small underpinning without which they must surely fall.

This outcrop on the edge of a precipice portrays all of these characteristics.

The Path

I beckon you come.

Walk under the spreading branches of my mighty oak. Follow me through the mist. The way is not clear. Do not be timid. Others have passed this way before and you must only follow for I am here to guide you.

Follow me into the glorious light of the future.

The Path by Salty Dawg


(This verse was inspired by my wonderful wife, who upon seeing this photograph said “That picture speaks to me”)

Lonely Pine

On a lonely windswept mountain top, a pine stands guard. The beautiful valley which lies before is shrouded in fog. Such is the way of life; we cannot always see what lies before us.

I arose early this morning to go in search of an image. I traveled to a high mountain overlook hoping to capture the sunrise over the valley floor. Instead I was met with dense fog. So as the old saying goes; when life hands you a lemon, make lemonade!