Sunday, August 12, 2012

Arrival at Gifford Pinchot State Park PA

A wonderful two-night camping visit to the 2338-acre Gifford Pinchot State Park in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. We were on a site within 75 feet of the 340 acre lake. It was named after a prominent outdoorsman and conservationist who assisted President Teddy Roosevelt in establishing the national and state park systems placing over 200 million acres under government management within the Division of Forestry under his tutelage between 1898 and 1910. I have previously read both their biographies.


Photo Courtesy: Gifford Pinchot - Internet Commons Fair Use

We arrived just prior to sundown and had to make haste to get the tent up....mostly in the dark with camp light assist. All went well and I was able to check out the result in the morning after a good night's rest.

 Original Photo: Early Morning Review - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

I unpacked to set up the day's first priority. My wife told me later after I made the first pot that the caffeinated version was also packed...just a bit deeper in the tote. Oops.

Original Photo: Setting Up Priorities- Copyright James E. Martin 2012 

Didn't take long to get the water percolating. This trip was the first time we used the camp stove and pot.

Original Photo: Morning Percolation- Copyright James E. Martin 2012

I took a walk along the shoreline to grab some early a.m. pictures of a quiet, peaceful waterscape.

Original Photo: Reconnoiter 01 - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The mist was rising off the surface with occasional fish surfacing.

Original Photo: Reconnoiter 02 - Copyright James E. Martin 2012 

I think I was the only camper up this early. All was quiet.

Original Photo: Reconnoiter 03 - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The reflections and quietude were wonderful.

Original Photo: Reconnoiter 04 - Copyright James E. Martin 2012 

The moss formations indicated early springtime water levels.

Original Photo: Springtime High Water Mark- Copyright James E. Martin 2012 

A white heron and bittern shared the opposite shoreline. 

Original Photo: White Heron and Bittern - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

There was occasional bright color amidst the forest litter. 

Original Photo: Fungi 01 - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

I have to check if this is a poisonous muscari. I like the color against the dark background.

Original Photo: Fungi 02 - Copyright James E. Martin 2012 

More caps pushing through the mulch.

Original Photo: Fungi 03 - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

A chance to use my macro lens filters against a tree trunk. 

Original Photo: Fungi 04 - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Various hardwood trees were onsite including black walnut with scattered hulls.

Original Photo: Black Walnut - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Cedar trees abounded with fragrant and colorful broken branches.

Original Photo: Cedars - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Some fisherman were comfortable leaving their equipment at shoreline from prior day's use. 


Original Photo: Fishing Equipment - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

I removed this hazard at eye level....an unsuccessful cast caught in the branches. 

Original Photo: Fishing Remnant at Eye Level- Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Later in the day, a canoeing observer passed close to a blue heron perching on the opposite shore. 

Original Photo: Canoe with Blue Heron - Copyright James E. Martin 2012 

The bees were solemn in their early a.m. gathering.

Original Photo: Morning Bees on Flax - Copyright James E. Martin 2012 

It was easy to see the bright green of a dead cicada against the forest floor. Another chance to see how the new macro filters capture the detail. 

Original Photo: Cicada from Shoreline - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Returning to camp, a rabbit nibbled his breakfast. 

 Original Photo: Rabbit at Campside - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Later in the day, the white heron gracefully perused the shoreline for feeding and aligns to bushes and branches for cover and concealment. A quick movement will startle the bird to flight further along.

Original Photo: White Heron Under Cover- Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The white heron delicately chased a june bug along the branch, pecked it down, and then turned to search again. 

Original Photo: White Heron Hunting Shoreline - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Later in the day, I followed the white heron on its shoreline meander around several points and inlets. 

Original Photo:White Heron at Dusk - Copyright James E. Martin 2012 

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