27 April 2024
Final Thursday 4 of us made our annual pilgrimage to Enlow Fork on the border of Washington & Greene Counties(*) to search for wildflowers and birds. We noticed carpets of blue-eyed Mary in addition to fireplace pink, wild geranium and dwarf larkspur in each blue and white. (Are you able to see the tiny spider on the hearth pink petal, above?)
Report-setting rain to start with of April left flood particles within the valley. Donna Foyle photographed the fallen timber that just about hit the pedestrian bridge.
I attempted to seize the water-swept mud and flood depth by photographing particles caught within the timber. The excessive water mark right here was as much as my chin.
The floodwaters swept freshwater clams from their properties leaving their empty shells among the many flood particles.
We didn’t see many birds at first, maybe as a result of it was so chilly. By the point we have been able to stroll again it had warmed up sufficient to see my First Of 12 months Baltimore oriole, rose-breasted grosbeak and scarlet tanager deep within the woods.
We additionally noticed or heard seven warblers together with Louisiana waterthrush, widespread yellowthroat, northern parula, redstart, Nashville, yellow and yellow-throated warblers.
At one level I put my vibrant hat (on prime of my solar hat & headband) in case a distant wooden thrush would discover. The thrush didn’t, however I earned the title “Golden-crowned Katelet.”
We had an amazing day amongst pale spring leaves and blue-eyed Marys.
Subsequent week might be a lot hotter. Deliver on the birds!
(*) The place is Enlow Fork?
The Enlow Fork of Wheeling Creek varieties the boundary between Washington and Greene Counties in southwestern PA. Once we say “Enlow Fork” we’re referring to the northern part of PA State Gameland #302 on each side of Enlow Fork creek. The Gamelands (unpaved) car parking zone is at this pin drop: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uzw42KqYZexLP4AB6.
(credit are within the captions. Because of Donna Foyle and Barb Griffith for contributing their pictures)
