Terror Alert Level

Monday, April 28, 2008

Monday Owl Blogging!!

This owl was perched on the entrance to the nesting box, just watching the world go by. Click for a better look, but some blurry branches are in the way.

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Saturday, April 26, 2008

More! More!!!


I ate all the morels. More! MORE!!!!


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Morel Madness At Mingo Creek Park!

Saturday we went to Mingo Creek Park in Washington County for the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club's annual Morel Madness outing. I'd never been to Mingo Creek, and its a very pretty county park near Washington PA. I figured even if we didn't find any mushrooms, we'd get to take a nice walk in the woods. Enjoy the photos below!

As always, click on the pics for a closer look.

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The first morel of the day! A woman in our group found this alongside the road before we even reached the trail head. Several more were found nearby.

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A garter snake. One of several garters we found during our hike.

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Just a pretty little flower. No bigger than a dime from edge to edge.

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Spotted this little spider on a cobweb between two decaying logs.

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I found one!!! My very first morel! I found about a half-dozen more nearby this one. I spotted this right after our group leader found one a few feet away and alerted us that we were in morel country. Altogether, our group found several dozen morels in and around this area within a half hour.

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A Devil's Urn! This one isn't for eating.

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The trillum is blooming!

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An old wellhead along the trail. Not sure if its for water, gas, or oil.

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A baby rat snake.

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We couldn't get close enough to be sure, but it looked like a bunch of inky caps were growing in the hollow of this tree. You need to click on the picture to see the 'shrooms.

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Not a bad haul for our first foray! We found eight morels and a bunch of Dryad's Saddles! Everyone in our group found about a half dozen morels, some folks in other groups found pounds of 'em.
UPDATE: OMFG we made morel burgers for dinner, and they were the tastiest damn burgers I've ever had! MORE! MORE!!!!

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Friday, April 25, 2008

Friday Pet Blogging!

More Turkeys!

It seems anytime I take a walk lately, I run into turkeys. I'm suprised I was able to get this close for a pic!

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This was asbout as close as I could get to this fellow, who was making a spectacular display.

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Strangest Spam Ever


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banks flowerpot earthmen perplex surround apprise galvanism croydon cycad burgundy hawthorn citywide horse drumlin . wharves tweed journeyman darius cytology maggoty delicate gingham illusory bunch night myel brazil sunrise cochineal evenhanded hanoverian actinic plucky mollusk communal delectate apollonian denature jolly argue seething lubell scrawl scrupulosity pickering shack acquittal chauffeur alterate cz stockpile dogberry raucous trudge .

Thanks


I have no freaking idea what they're selling either.

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Thursday, April 24, 2008

The turkey was curious, though well behaved. Damn prehistoric looking bird though.

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I found a large clump of these mushrooms growing at the base of a dead tree back in the woods. Not sure what it is, but I think it is some species of Mycena. Could be alcohol inkies too, but I'm no expert. The stem is hollow, and the cap has lines radiating out from the center to the edge.
Any guesses?

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As you can see, the 'shrooms are rather small.

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Underside of the mushroom, showing the gills.

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Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Train Train

I live along PA Route 65, which parallels the Pennsy's old four track mainline, now used by the Norfork/Southern. Just a couple of blocks away is a grade crossing leading to the Emsworth dam. Naturally, when approaching the crossing, the trains blow their horns.
Yesterday, while waiting my turn to vote, I was chatting with the ladies manning (?) the polls. I learned that there is an effort afoot by some Ben Avon residents to have the trains stop blowing their horns in the evening because it disturbs them when having guests over.

Now those tracks have been there since around 1850 or so, which leads me to the question:

If you find the sounds of trains disturbing, why did you buy a house near the tracks?

I also heard a charming story of a train engineer who lived near the crossing, and who blew his train's horn in a certain pattern when approaching, so his wife would know roughly when he'd be home!

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Saturday, April 12, 2008

We Shall Meet Again

From the late great Syria Mosque


What ARe We Living For?

Two room apartment on the second floor?


Friday, April 11, 2008

Gus


I decided to name the mushroom "Gus," not after the Pennsylvania Lottery's mascot, but because Gus is a fun guy.

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Flahrs

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Spring!!

We have asparagus!

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And the Bag o' Spawn is fruiting!!

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Monday, April 07, 2008

CSA! CSA!

No, not the Confederate States of America, but Community Supported Agriculture! We went and signed up for the CSA program at one of our local farms, and we'll be receiving a basket of farm-fresh veggies weekly from June through October.

Its a great way to support your local farmer, and get fresh veggies in season! You can find out more about CSA here!

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Friday, April 04, 2008

Friday Squirrel Blogging!

This furry fellow was VERY upset when Dusty camped under its tree to munch on her rawhide. The squirrel spent about 10 minutes chattering at Dusty before deciding to run off and find a new tree. Dusty completely ignored the noisy rodent.

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Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Mmmmmm...Freshly Picked Pasta

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