Lovely WV

I went to one of my favorite easy dog walking spots today (4/25/15). I hadn't been to this location since early November. Unfortunately, others have apparently been there. I can tell by the sign they left; can you?

Nice, isn't it? All of these photos are from a maybe 15 yard circle and that isn't all of it.Everyone wants to see the pretty pictures.
(c) 2015 High Virginia Outdoors

Shaggy Manes

Shaggy Manes (Coprinus comatus) are one of the latest edible mushrooms that we can expect to find in this area. These were photographed and the smaller ones were picked on November 1, 2011; near Horseshoe Run in Tucker County, WV. The recent snow did not seem to bother this clump at all. I picked some last Thursday; near Huttonsville. They had been rained on for three days and were pretty soggy; but still tasted all right. Shaggy Manes and Oyster Mushrooms are what we can expect to find, this late in the season; if we are lucky.

Photo by High Virginia Images
Posted by High Virginia Outdoors
(c) 2011 All Rights Reserved

Tucker County Cormorants

Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) are not a common sight in the mountains of West Virginia.  These were at the Thomas Dam, in Tucker County, WV on October 3, 2011 in the late afternoon. It was a rainy, foggy day and this photo was taken at 400 ISO. The birds only stayed for about 3 minutes. They were gone by the time my cameras lens was covered with mist. there were twenty-nine Cormorants present, when I first stopped the truck.

(c) High Virginia Outdoors 2011

Edible Autumn Mushrooms

Fall has finally arrived and the numerous autumn edibles appear to be in abundance. Giant Puffballs, Oyster Mushrooms, Chicken of the Woods and Lions Mane are a few that may be found at this time. The Giant Puffballs are good; as long as they are pure white inside. They are a rather bland mushroom, but they take on the flavor of what ever they are cooked in, quite nicely. Browned in butter and garlic salt works just fine.

The Chicken of the Woods is my favorite, they are superb when young and tender. This orange mushroom tends to stand out on a rainy day and can be spotted from quite a distance.

I found this Lion's Mane earlier this week. This is the first one I have ever had the chance to try. It was quite good sauteed in olive oil and garlic. This one was a little bitter at the core, the rest was really tasty. Most of the ones I have seen in the past have either been too old or too high up. this species is usually found on beech trees. Get a good book or a knowledgeable person and go out and see what you can find this fall. Good Luck.
Mushrooms of West Virginia and the Central Appalachians by William C. Roody is an excellent reference.

Photos (c) High Virginia Images 2011 All Rights Reserved
Posted by High Virginia Outdoors

Chasing Waves In Randolph County

Randolph County, WV is not exactly the shorebird hotspot of the state. I never once thought about seeing a Sanderling (Calidris alba) here. Rich Bailey; the new state ornitholigist reported seeing some Sanderlings at the Elkins Wal-Mart on the morning of 9/8/11. I did not see his post on WV Bird; until that night. I went the next morning with hopes that they would be hanging around; still.

I arrived at Wal-Mart at first light; the water puddles had already dried up. I sat around a little while and decided to go look for some water. I found a puddle behind the Rent-A-Center. There were 6 Killdeer and 2 Greater Yellowlegs in the puddle. No Sanderlings. I scanned the parking lot and there was a lone Semipalmated Plover sleeping near K-Mart. I was getting ready to go across the road where some new construction is taking place (large muddy area); when a truck came flying through the lot. Two Sanderlings flew into the puddle. Nice. I was able to get a few photos; before a street sweeper came and ran everything except for the Starlings off.

For those who are not familiar with the Sanderling, it is an Arctic breeder and is the little bird that you see chasing waves at the beach. It isn't something that you would expect to find in Elkins, WV. These photos were shot in low light at 800 ISO and are a little on the grainy side. Also; I never post high resolution photos in cyberland. I always shoot RAW files and have high resolution photos available.

Photos by High Virginia Images (c) 2011 All Rights Reserved

Mountain Laurel Time Is Near

The next few weeks will be prime time for viewing the exquisite mountain laurel show of the highlands. I do not believe that there is a finer place to do this than Tucker County, WV. One of the easiest spots to find these mountain beauties is the Canaan Heights area; along Rt. 32, south of Davis, WV. The rocky, acid soils of this area produce some of the best colors that I have seen. I was there on June 6 and they are beginning to bloom, not very many though. We have had some abnormally high temperature over the past few days; this may encourage them to open up a little early. The main show should begin next week. They are usually pretty nice for about two weeks. Do yourself a favor and do not miss the show. Now is the time to plan a trip to the Thomas, Davis, Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls area of Tucker County; for some great outdoor photography experiences.

Thank You Milton, WV

Thank you for the purchase of "Winter on Knapps Creek".  This is one of the very first digital images that I had ever taken.  This stream is one of my favorite fishing spots.  The gin clear water makes for some difficult, technical fishing during low water flows of summer.  But; if you figure it out, some fine trout and smallmouth bass can be caught.  This is a nice location for birding, hiking and nature observation.  Thank You again, Milton, WV

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors additional photography may be seen at High Virginia Images

Blah

That is how I feel right now; just like these poor crocus.  Sitting there, hoping for just a few rays of sun.  Hoping for a chance to once again bloom; before they die. Blah.  I would have some pretty flowers to photograph; but it doesn't appear that the chance will arise, before it is too late.  The snowdrops were pitiful; killed by the snow.  They never had a chance.

It appears to me that; by the time we can get anything accomplished around here that it will be so late in the season; that everything needs to be done at once.  The maddening rush before it gets hot and dry is not enjoyable to me; anymore.
I had several articles in mind; but need photos to go with them.  The weather just doesn't cooperate.  If it isn't cloudy and dreary; the wind is howling.  Not the most photogenic conditions.  Of course, it is supposed to be reasonably nice tomorrow, but of course Thursday is my tied up day of the week.  Maybe someday.

We Are Surrounded By Idiots

This sign was put up, if I remember correctly in the summer of 2009.  A nice handicapped access boardwalk and fishing pier was constructed to allow more access to the Blackwater River, along Timberline Road on the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge property.  This area is just off  Rt. 32 in Tucker County, WV.
I hate to say this, but this pretty sign has received several shotgun blasts and has apparently been the recipient of a severe beating.  I didn't think to take a photo of the condition of this sign in its current state; but believe me, it isn't pretty.  Do people not have anything else to do?  It is sad.

What Color Is Your Water ?

This is a tributary of Grassy Run, one of the crown jewels of Randolph County, WV.  Grassy Run has been useless, except as a sewage outlet since the early 1900's.  This small tributary hasn't always been in this condition.  For generations,  the "shit crick" has been a source of entertainment and recreation for numerous youngsters of the Norton community.  Its waters were dammed, "crawdads and lizards" were caught, countless summertime hours were spent in the "crick".

Sometime in the late 1990's, an abandoned deep mine containing many gallons of acid mine water burst open and spilled through this small stream. I wasn't living here at the time, but the "reclamation" process was to permanently drain the mine water into this tributary.  Just add another permanent scar to Randolph County, it won't hurt anything and nobody cares anyway.  This is the attitude that has destroyed northwest Randolph County over the previous century.

When I was a kid in the 60's, this little waterway had a tremendous bio-mass of amphibians and crusteations.  Louisiana Waterthrushes and other warblers were always present on summer days.  We would create a dam and keep fish from the Tygart River in the waters for weeks. Later, I caught mink and muskrats there.  These waters are now devoid of all life, the few trees and shrubs along the banks are dead or dying.  Nothing can live there anymore.  Yes, this water quality has been provided by the origional "Fiends of Coal", the process has happened time and time again:  Seek, Destroy & Leave.  Many of you will face issues in the next few years, which may potentially turn your little "crick" into a barren, lifeless stream of wastewater.  Think about your quality of life and that of those who will follow.  When water quality is gone; so is life.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

This is the exact same spot in January 2011

You have all heard this statement a thousand times.  Here is something to show you the sad state that Randolph County, WV is in.  For a county which prides itself in tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities; it is sad.  This area is destroyed a little more everyday.  I get a hollow feeling in my stomach, every time I look out of my window.

November 1991

Maybe I should say that 2 pictures are worth a thousand words.

Wish Upon A Cloud

When I wake up tomorrow; I hope to see a tree behind every tree. Like it once was in Randolph County; when it was a tolerable place to be.

Randolph County/Elkins Area Christmas Bird Count

ELKINS AREA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT SLATED FOR JANUARY 3, 2011




Local bird enthusiasts will take to the roads and woods during the 29th annual Elkins Area Christmas Bird Count on January 3rd, 2011. This event gives birders a chance to get together and have a good time while gathering information on bird diversity and abundance in the area. Participants will meet at 8:00 am at the Division of Natural Resources Operations Center on Ward Road in Elkins. Both novice and experienced bird watchers are invited to take part.



The Elkins area bird count is just one of hundreds of Christmas Bird Counts that occur around the country this time of year. The aim is to tally all birds observed within a 7.5 mile radius of a given point. Over time, these annual counts can reveal trends in populations of various avian species.



On the morning of January 3rd, birders will be grouped into teams of 2-3 observers, and assigned specific routes to survey. If you live in or near Elkins, you can participate by just tallying the birds in your yard by species and reporting that information.



Anyone interested in participating in this year's Christmas Bird Count should contact Jim Fregonara jimfregonara@wvdnr.gov or Craig Stihler craigstihler@wvdnr.gov or phone the WVDNR at 304-637-0245 for more information.

Thoughts of Marcellus Shale Drilling

I was listening to Bill Stewart ramble about the makeup of the WVU football team yesterday.  He said that the team was made up, just like the state of West Virginia; on a solid foundation.  The first thing that popped into my mind was the foundation of the land that we call home.  How strong can this foundation be if it is constantly interlaced with tunnels?
Let us experiment with this foundation, we will first drill thousands of holes deep into the core of this foundation.  Then we will inject water and who knows what else into these holes.  Is that strong foundation now as strong as it once was?  I don't think so.  Do you believe for one minute second that there are not other cracks and fissures for this fracking mixture to flow into?  Think.  How about all of the underground water flows and not to mention the uncharted mine tunnels?

These methods of natural gas production were developed out West.  I am not a geologist, but I doubt the the geology of the Appalachia and Texas are the same.  I truly fear that it will take a disaster of gigantic proportions, before the dreams of money are offset by the sorrow of reality.  I also believe that the Marcellus gas fields will be another boom and bust of Appalachia's resources.  It happens time and time again: Seek, Destroy, Leave.  It isn't too bad for the ones who come in, make the money and then go home.  But, what about those of us who have to stare at the destruction for the rest of our natural lives?  Do you know what it is like to wake up and the first thing you see is orange water, clear-cuts or wind farms?

It is a hollow feeling, deep in your gut.  The feeling comes from the fact that you will never see the land and water as it once was and was meant to be.  Wake up West Virginia and the rest of the Appalachian region, before it is too late.  Damage to our region will be irreversible and beyond our imagination.  Remember also that isn't bad if you don't have to look at it for the rest of your life.  When water quality is gone: So is Life.

Deer Season-So Far

Opening day was hot and bright, I started walking to my chosen stand at 5am. I arrived at the spot at 5:45, never turned on the light; the whole way in over two ridges and a dense laurel thicket.  I kept waiting for the crowd to close in on me, but it never happened.  I was the only one on the ridge.

Several deer passed by me in the darkness, as I waited for daylight to arrive.  I heard the first shot of the season at 6:15.  I believe that he was a little early, since shooting hours started at about 6:40.  At 7:05, a doe and 2 fawns ran up the ridge to me and stopped at about thirty yards on my left.  Then 2 does came from the same area, their tails were tucked between their legs and they were looking back over their shoulders.  They stopped about twenty-five yards straight in front of me.  I cocked the hammer of my T/C Encore, knowing that a buck was chasing the does.  Nothing happened, the 2 does were nervous and constantly looking back.  The buck must have chased another doe in the other direction.  That was all of the excitement for a long time.  Very little shooting was heard in the distance, at 9:30 I turned on my phone; hoping to get called to work.  At  10:05 a deer appears on my left at about fifty yards, a small deer, I didn't pay much attention to it as he fed on acorns.  He turned and started feeding downhill and I could see that it had 4 inch spikes.  I put the scope on him twice and decided not to shoot.  Nothing else happened until 12:10 when I got called to work.

Tuesday morning was still bright and I got to the oak flat stand at 5:45.  At 6:10 a big deer came through and was following along a trail with quite a few big rubs.  He never even slowed to feed, just that steady gait as he headed for his daytime laurel thicket.  At 6:20, several deer came on the flat and fed on the acorns, I believe there were 8-10 deer present; come on daylight! They feed  toward the thicket and one deer lags behind.  Light comes, one deer is left and is straight ahead at about twenty yards.  Straining to see what it is, while it is getting lighter and lighter, its the same little spike from the day before.  I let him go.  Two days in a row.  This really goes against my rule of national forest hunting, but we'll see how it works out as the season progresses.

How's You Day Going ?

I hate the two nights preceding the full moon.  I cannot sleep at all.  The night of the full moon is probably my best sleeping night of the month.  That is why I am worried about Monday morning.  The opening day of the West Virginia firearms deer season is on Monday and I'll probably oversleep.  Last night, I went to sleep at 10:30 and was wide awake at 12:45.  I messed around and renamed photo files, until I got bored with that.

Might as well go and try to find that elusive Thanksgiving gobbler.  So I take a shower and it is still 2 hours too early to head out.  Not a thing on TV.  There is a Craftman Truck race repeat, but of course I watched the end of that race, before I went to bed.  I already know what happened.  Goober head won and nobody cares anyway.  I'm not in the mood to walk around in Wal-Mart and watch the early morning dopers try to steal something.  Turn the computer back on, of course nothing is happening.  Why aren't you people on Facebook at 4 am?

Just as well head to the mountain; maybe I can get a nap in before daylight.  So I am backing into a grassy area on the side of the road and I am suddenly looking straight up at my front tires.  after somehow managing to get out of the truck: not an easy uphill battle.  I just shake my head and go on turkey hunting.  At about 7, I happen to walk underneath a trio of gobblers and I can see them sail for about a mile and go across the river.  Mess around and look for some deer sign for awhile.  Head the 1.5 miles back to the stranded truck and call a wrecker.  Fifty dollars later, it is noon and I'm back home.. Wonder how tonight will be?

Thirty Years Ago

I have read several mast reports and hunting predictions about the upcoming deer firearms season.  They all come down to one thing:  Food.  Most point toward white oak acorns, as the plentiful food source for 2010.  This is great if you live somewhere in WV that still has some white oaks; standing.

I used to have one of the nicest stands of white oak in the country; just up the road.  That was thirty years ago.  It was an area which was always full of game.  Now it is a clear-cut wasteland, not fit for anything.  It will be that way till after I am dead.
It used to be nice to go out around home and be able to hunt.  The most memorable Thanksgiving Day to me was one which the meat on the table; all came from the hill that could be seen from the picture window.  There was venison, oven baked squirrel and wild turkey.  The picture window view is now an impenetrable blackberry wasteland.

The view to the north , is of the newest wind farm project.  Really attractive.  So, the next time you journey to your favorite woodlands; you should be grateful that they are still there.  If you are not careful, your cherished places could become another wasteland; just like NW Randolph County.  Always remember that what once was; can become a used to be, very quickly.

Little Hickory Bear

The best days are days that we discover one of natures' wonders.  I never knew that bears fed in the top of hickory trees; like a giant fox squirrel.  Well, they do.  This little fellow was in a hickory in Pocahontas County, WV.  Yeah, they climb apple trees all of the time.  They bend over and trample down mountain ash, hercules' club and sumacs.  But, this one is in the top of a hilltop hickory, in a wind storm.

The next photo shows the bear, reaching out to pull a limb to its' mouth.  I saw it do this twice.  This whole series of photos is less than a minute in time.  I was hurrying, because I sensed that the show would not last much longer.

I am regretful that higher quality photos could not be had; but these are allot better than not having the opportunity at all.

After he got this last nut, he headed down the tree and was gone.



All photos published here are protected under US and International copyright laws by High Virginia Images.  All rights reserved.

Timberdoodle

I recieve an interesting publication, that many of you may not have seen.  Each issue of Timberdoodle contains articles on nature observations, weather and history of the Allegheny Highlands.  timberdoodle is the newsletter of the Friends of Canaan Valley National Refuge.  Each issue also contains the Chronicles of the Tucker County Highlands History and Education Project.  This publication is well presented and always has content which can be enjoyed by people of various interests.  To join the Friends of the 500th, you may contact them at PO BOX 422, Davis, WV  26260.

Autumn Silence

The opening day of squirrel season has arrived ; in the hills of West Virginia. Until a few years ago, this was a highly anticipated day for me. I could always be found on a hardwood ridge; twenty-two in hand and squirrels in the game bag.

Gunshots were steadily heard until Halloween. Now, the woods around home are still. Trees are gone, squirrels are gone. The hickory ridges are now covered in blackberries and saplings. Coyote heaven.
I sold my .22's in 2004, after realizing that it wasn't feasible to drive 50 miles when you only have a couple of hours to spend hunting. The rewards do not justify the time and expense involved.

I spent all morning outside and a beautiful morning it was. I never heard on shot fired from the hillsides. Areas which are still blessed to have their mast producing trees, have an abundance of foods available to the critters of the woodlands. But, when the trees are gone; so is life. From here in the orange water, clear-cut wastelands of northwest Randolph County. Enjoy your Autumn if you still can.