MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST IN WEST VIRGINIA

These photos come from my son and daughter-in-law.  This past weekend they were invited on a 17-mile hike by her brother, with overnight camping.  I thoroughly enjoyed their photos and they said I could share, with my heartfelt thanks.

Here you can see them looking at Seneca Rocks.  

There won't be a lot of narrative in my post today but I hope you will enjoy their photos as much as I did.

In the Seneca Creek Backcountry, there are nearly 60 miles of trails winding through stands of red spruce, open meadows and along fast-flowing mountain streams.

Great Guide here to hiking in this area.

One of those magical moments when a mother came to get her baby.  The little one jumped out of its hiding spot. 

Seneca Falls

From yesterday's post.

My daughter-in-law's brother is a seasoned hiker and camper, and was able to give a lot of great advice.

They set their tents up next to a stream.

Bunchberry dogwood.  It goes by several names.  Creeping dogwood, Pudding berry being a couple.

Mountain laurel, also known as Spoonwood, Calico bush, Ivy bush.

They had a wonderful time and will be doing this all over again in the not too distant future.  And I will be getting more great photos to share.

A PHOTO SHARED FROM THE MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST IN WEST VIRGINIA

 

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.”  

~Henry David Thoreau~

(I am thankful for my Daughter-in-Law who took this photo and let me share it here.  More photos soon from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, with thanks to my Son and Daughter-in-Law who went on a camping trip recently.)

MORE FROM MY NIECE - HER PET LAMBS

As I have mentioned before, my niece has a small flock of pet sheep.  She has been very sweet letting me share her photos on my blog.  I am always very thankful to her.  Here are a few she sent me.  There will be more.

I have seen children with expressions such as these.  We are all connected.

A WALK ON A TRAIL IN GERMANY

Yesterday I shared my Niece's photos of her pet sheep.  I will have more of them soon but today I wanted to show you a few she took on a trail near their home.

This pretty wildflower looks like Mountain wood-sorrel.  It is a shade-loving species that thrives best at higher elevations.  Other names for it include wood shamrock and white wood sorrel.  I am not 100 percent certain as I am not sure about German wildflowers.  If anyone who lives there knows its ID, I would be grateful for help.  I will also ask my Niece next time we chat.

This is wild garlic. She said they took some home and had it in a dip for dinner.  She is an excellent cook, and no doubt in my mind it was delicious.

It looks like a lovely trail and the felled tree makes for an interesting shot.

This looks like Grape hyacinth, scientific name Muscari neglectum.

The bee seems to love it!

Always interesting sights to take photos of on a walk.  With thanks again to my lovely Niece for letting me share these photos.

Thanks for looking and enjoy your day.

LAST OF THE PHOTOS FROM MY SISTER-IN-LAW FOR A WHILE

Great Egret

Another beautiful and graceful bird.

Snowy Egret

Snow Geese

Black-crowned Night Heron

And I really do need help with this one.  Thank you in advance!

Below is what I believe is a Bufflehead.  You can click here to see if  I am correct.  If you think I am wrong and know its actual ID, I am always happy to learn.  Another photo to compare can be found at this link.

Cormorant

a juvenile Double-crested Cormorant perhaps?  Once again seeking help from those more in the know.  Thanks again!

I bring these and thank my sister-in-law once again for giving me her okay to share.  

Thank you for looking.  Enjoy the rest of your week everyone.

BROWN PELICAN PHOTOS FROM MY SISTER-IN-LAW

 A study in Brown Pelicans for you today.  I love watching them skim along the shore, and I thought Gregg's sister's photographs were fabulous.

Here are some facts about them.

Brown pelicans are the only species to dive into the water from 9 m (30 ft) above to capture prey. After catching the prey and a lot of water, they tip their bill downward to drain the water before swallowing the fish.

While brown pelicans are known for diving, they will never be deep divers due to the extensive system of subcutaneous air-sacs that give them their buoyancy in the water.

The pelican's pouch (gular pouch) is used as a dip net to catch fish, which are soon swallowed into the stomach (the center of gravity) so that they can maintain their balance while flying.

They have an extendable sac of skin at the base of their throat, which is capable of holding up to 11 liters (3 gallons) of water, several times more than their belly.

Most fossil species of pelican are placed in the same genus as the modern pelican due to extreme anatomical similarities. This suggests that the present form of pelican has changed very little over the past 30 to 40 million years.

The brown pelican, the smallest of the Pelecanidae family, can fly up to 48 kph (30 mph).

Its gular pouch may be used to disperse heat as well as to collect fish and rainwater.

Brown pelicans are best adapted to living alongside humans. They are frequently seen at fishing ports up and down the coast, opportunistically feeding on fish scraps discarded by fisherman.

I bring you these photos with thanks again to my sister-in-law.  Thanks for looking and enjoy the rest of your week.