Benezette, Elk County, PA

One of my favorite trips in the fall is to see the bull elk when they are bugling.  Mid to late September is the best time to hear and view this spectacular event.  My first trip there was in October of 2010 just weeks after the grand opening of the new Elk County Visitor Center.

As you arrive in the town of Benezett it is not unusual to see Elk in people's yards.  As the herd increases this has caused concern for the local residents.

Radio-collars are used to complete a Minimum Number Alive (MNA) Count and to monitor elk movements, reproduction, survival and habitat use.

Just of Route 555 along Winslow Hill Road you will see the sign to the Visitor Center.

It is the largest visitor center in the US and sits on 245 acres of woods, food plots and open fields.

On the inside you will find viewing stations, a gift shop, a movie theater to watch the history of the elk interactive games and videos and many many more fun exhibits of elk and other wildlife in the area.

 As you leave the center and drive around be mindful of the signs telling you to drive cautiously.  On Route 555 the elk can be seen crossing and walking on the roadway. Many are hit by careless drivers.

 This is also a great place to get in some beautiful landscape photography. 

 

If you happen to get there and the elk are hidden there is a lot of other photographic opportunities.

 Look very careful at the top of that ridge........

 You just might get to see that  rack

as the bull elk stands and walks towards you

 My last trip was mid-September of 2012.  We found the herd  grazing at the top of Winslow Hill Road with a beautiful fall backdrop.

My brother and his girlfriend were with me

The Elk were very visible and we got a lot of really beautiful pictures

bugling, a loud series of vocalizations which establishes dominance over other males and attracts females.

The Elk is primarily nocturnal, but is especially active at dusk and dawn except during the rut when you can see them just about any time.... bulls chasing cows.

 

At the end of your day ...  you may want to stop at the Benezett Hotel and try an elk burger.  At 93 calories and 1.8 grams of fat.. it wins over Beef.  We had one and we liked it!

It would not be proper if I didn't add a video of the 'bugling' elk. 

enjoy!

To God be the Glory  ~~  Great Things He Hath Done

American Bald Eagle

It is once again time for the Eagles to get their nests ready ....

This nest is at Fisherman's Paradise, Bellefonte PA 

I was there last week and took these pictures

 On this day the Eagles were bringing new sticks and building up the nest.

 Both male and female will share in the job

 Together they will arrange the sticks

In about 2 weeks the female will settle in and lay the eggs.

I documented the nest last year and following are some of the my favorite pictures.

 Seeing an Eagle this close is a thrill.  This is the female who is larger than the male.

 Last years nest yielded three eaglets

The baby eaglets are downy white and then gray and then mostly brown.  It takes 4-5 years to reach maturity and acquire a white head and tail.

 To God be the Glory  ~~  Great Things He Hath Done

 

Merry Christmas

Even a Carolina Wren has to eat during the Holidays

I supply the meal worms and he does the rest..

I think he is thankful seeing as there are not alot of bugs around this time of year... 

Going back to April, 2012 this is what the pair of Carolina Wrens that have been here for several years were doing.. building in my outside gas tank

Mom and dad...and the meal worms I provide then too for their family of 5

I always know when the male is around he is the loudest  bird on the block....  

To God be the Glory  ~~  And May your Christmas be blessed with peace and happiness ~~

for He has provided us with a saviour.. Jesus Christ

Deck the Waterfall

So I thought......  why have a waterfall if you can't decorate it for Christmas...

They tell me  to let the water running and it won't freeze

A little snow makes it look a lot like Christmas

My playhouse says "have a holly jolly Christmas" too

More Waterfall Visitors

I have at least two pair of Catbirds that come around.  This very pregnant looking one is standing in the purple lobelia at the edge of the waterfall.

I want to think this is her mate...  but who knows.  They seemed to have a conversation.  Doesn't she look like her feet should be swollen? 

Sneaking a drink at the bottom of the fall

Sparrows of all kinds show up and take a swim or get a drink

Once the flowers began to bloom one of my favorite birds arrives...

This is a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

When the purple Meadow Sage Salvia took off I got quite a lot of Yellow Sulphur Butterflies hanging around

I plant Lantana for the hummingbirds but the bees love it too

Goldfinches enjoy the water as much as the next bird to come along

As the water continued to flow over the rocks and falls.....  the visitors continued to come

An Eastern Towhee would sit on my car mirror and cry to chase the bird he could see reflected there

One of the four groundhogs that live under my playhouse and tool shed came and found some cantalope  to devour

After a long bath.....

and thrashing around for some deep cleaning...  this young Female Rose breasted Grosbeak

Looking as if she would take off like a plane

      -

Hops onto a close by rock

and dries off in the hot sun

Last but not least... my favorite visitor to the waterfall ..
just as colorful as a beautiful bird and enjoying the water on her tiny feet.... Pandora, one of my daughter's twins.

To God be the Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done