October 15-16, 2016
A trip into central Pennsylvania over the weekend. Autumn colors in progress. Things getting a little cold at night. And crossing the interesting geography as one transits the ridges and mountains of this area. (Unfortunately no geology photos from this trip.)
The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds and/or flowers. All are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us.
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The place I was staying at is a hunting camp belonging to a friend’s family. It is located in a creek valley, and the lower and marshy side varies depending on where you are on it. An old railroad right-of-way runs along one side and serves as a common road for 4-wheelers.
The creek itself is contaminated with mine run-off, and the hills to the south that are currently a mix of private property and state game lands was strip-mined over twenty years ago. Lots of up-and-down around spill piles, some steep drop-offs, and a relatively flat top. (There was still strip-mining going on nearby twenty years ago, but I don’t know what the current status is.)
Of note in terms of bird sightings was that there were not that many *in* the woods. Just hearing Blue Jays and Crows for the most part. Once you were on the wood margins and meadows a lot more were moving about — bluebirds, swallows, sparrows, goldfinches, chickadees, etc.
A few butterflies, bumblebees, and grasshoppers sighted. Usually later in the day as things warmed up. I also saw white-tailed deer along the old right-of-way twice the first night.
Three of us went out for a walk on Saturday morning. There was still quite a bit of frost in places the sun was not yet shining on. And who can resist taking pictures of ice-crystal encrusted plants?
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Thanks for coming along for the walk. Let us know what you are seeing around you in the comments.