Meadow Land

Butterflies were scarce in this meadow area 

of the local state park.

But still a pleasant area to wander through.

Joining Outdoor Wednesday w/Susan

Mother Nature Never Ceases to Amaze

McConnells Mill State Park

McConnells Mill State Park is a 2,546 acres Pennsylvania state park in the United States. The park features a deep scenic gorge accessible by a roadway that winds between large, room-sized boulders on the hillside. McConnells Mill State Park is along the Slippery Rock Creek.

McConnells Mill State Park was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its Bureau of Parks as one of "25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks".

Flowing north or south?

Depends on whether you were here in the Ice Age or Today.

Hemlock Trees (the PA state tree) abound in this area.

Geology

The geology of the park was also heavily influenced by the glacial effects of the ice age: a large glacial lake (water that was held in place by a glacier), broke about 140,000 years ago. This break in the glacial dam caused a dramatic change in the flow of the water. The lake that had previously drained in a northward direction was now draining to the south. The drastic change in direction and very high volume of water flow created Slippery Rock Creek Gorge.

 

The bedrock was formed over 300,000,000 years ago as layers of peat, mud and sand were compressed. This part of Pennsylvania was a coastal area at the time. 

The layers of bedrock were built into mountains as the continental plates shifted. The layers of bedrock had different strengths. Some of the layers eroded quickly and others eroded at a much slower pace. The various erosion rates account for the variety of geologic features at McConnells Mill State Park

 Environment

McConnells Mill State Park lies within the Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests ecoregion.

Joining

Trees and Bushes

and

Outdoor Wednesday

Maple Syrup Time 030916

And the Tapping begins.

With an abundance of maple trees in western PA. 

tapping them for syrup is a common site.

And festivals pop up throughout the area.

I took these photos near Pymatuning State Park;

and believe it is a commercial endeavor.

Find more of the outdoors at:

Outdoor Wednesday w/Susan

Walking On Water

Wild Birds - A couple crows out for a winter stroll

 

Outdoor World - A beautiful sky background for this windmill beside a pond.

 

Joining Stewart for:

Wild Bird Wednesday

and Susan for:

Outdoor World

 

Backyard Birds Outdoors 010616

A sunny early morning in January atMuldoon

 

Cold on the outside; Warm on the inside

 

The feeding area has donned it winter coat.

 

And the winter morning sunshine is casting its beauty.

 

We provide and they come.

High

and Low

and so darn cute!

and all puffed up

 

 

  So much fun taking the photos but

hi ho, hi ho it was off to work I go.

 

A frosty view from inside my vehicle.

 Joining Susan for:

Outdoor Wednesday

and Stewart for:

Wild Bird Wednesday

 

 

Outdoor Wednesday 120915

A frosty morning stroll atMuldoon

 

Once it begins to snow for sure and for certain

my fascination with the frost will probably wane.

But in the meantime it was refreshing.

 

Joining:

Outdoor Wednesday

Outdoor Wednesday 102815 and Wildbird Wed.

Wednesday the 28th would have been my Mother's 91st birthday so I thought I would share photos of her favorite son-in-law; or as she would fondly tell him 'he was her only son-in-law'.

It's post fishing tournament fishing season which now allows for my favorite kind of fishing - shore fishing. Much more calm and non competitive.

The sun rose on a cool October Saturday morning atMuldoon.

 

Off we went to the State Park with just enough breeze to be pleasant. Hoping for a good catch of panfish; perch, crappie and bluegill. They will be donated to a local American Legion for their upcoming Fish Fry.

Packin' a Rod n Reel

Tie the hook on securely.

Cast your line.

 

Bring them in.

While the RG practices his craft I wonder around

enjoying the field of view with my camera.

This is the waterfowl observation I often mention.

All decked out for Fall.

 

 

Time to head to another spot

and begin the same process

 

 

Cast Out

 

Park your Bobber

 

 

wait patiently

 

 Bring them in

Field of View

 A pretty mushroom

 

 Floating Leaves

Practicing simplicity 

 and macro shots

  

 Came back later in the afternoon and brought Lucy along.

 Dogs must be on a leash which doesn't thrill her a lot.

 
This time a gull was my field of view.

 

turned around to find . . .

 Lucy had enough leash time and was going home to freedom

whether we joined her or not ;)

I give that day an A+

 

Joining:

Outdoor Wednesday

and

Wildbird Wednesday