THE HERMIT OF FOWLER'S HOLLOW RETURNS TO CIVILIZATION

Hello friends

Yes it is sad but true I am now living in a house in a development in Lancaster County.  My how I miss my tent in the Tuscarora Forest of Perry County.  Last Friday night it was 25 degrees in the tent but I was snug and warm under the covers.

Here are some pics of the camp site and another neat spider that I found in the park.

It will take me months to process all the pics I took and I will share the better ones with you here on the blog or at the nature center every Tuesday.

One of the many spiders that I found.  I am becoming very interested in Spiders and do not have a good field guide yet but hoping

My tent and fire ring.  Some of you may remember the tent as it was our butterfly house
 at Nature Club the last several years

A new addition to my camp this year was a 10 by 20 awning to replace the "make-shift" tarps of past years.
It proved to be a vary welcome addition as we got 12 inches of rain in the first two weeks of October.

ENCOUNTER WITH A PORCUPINE

One of the most fascinating creatures of the forest is the porcupine.  I met one on a forest road recently and here are the pics.

I saw him on the road and stopped about 20 yards from him.

I got out of the truck and stood behind the door to take these pics.

He is a large one.  He keep coming. I do't think he saw me...

...until I said hello to him and he stoped...

...and turned around to waddle off.

WHO'S YOUR DADDY (LONGLEGS) (this blog was prepared for use as a presentation at the Creation Appreciation nature center)

I found this drawing on the web (no pun intended)  On the left is a crane fly, in the middle is a cellar spider and on the right is a harvestman.  All of these are sometimes referred to as "Daddy Log Legs"

The harvestmen are not spiders, and not insects.  Harvestmen have only 2 eyes, most spiders have 8,  Harvestmen to not make webs or silk or any kind.

The proper name for harvestmen is Opiliones 

MORE PICTURES FROM FOWLER'S HOLLOW

Just got back from my camp in the woods and thought I would post some more pics from there and 2 from Root's - captions to follow when I have time.

FUN AT CAMP IN PERRY COUNTY

Living in a tent in the middle of the Tuscarora forest is my idea of fun.  Seeing and hearing the creatures and plants is so envigerating - it is literally a spiritual experience.  Here are a few of the interesting things I am seeing.

with a body less than 1/4 in long - this spider looked like a little ugly brown spot to the naked eye - but with a macro lens his true colors are revealed - I have yet to id him.

This female Ruby-throated Humming Bird visited our feeder daily.
Do you know why Humming Birds hum?
Because they do not remember the words to the song.

The most beautiful spider I have seen.  The Marbled Orb Weaver    (Araneus  marmoreus)
His body is about 3/4 inch long.

.

"Daddy Long Legs" is his common name - he is not a spider but a
relative of the sider know as a harvestman.

another harvestman with different patterns - notice the (red) mite parasites

Come by to visit at my camp in Fowler's Hollow State Park in Perry County.  I am usually there Wednesday PM to Monday PM every week.  I come home to be at the nature center on Tuesdays.  Call home 684-2849 to make certain I will be at camp.  Florence is at home recovering from her foot surgury

LOVING HIS CREATION

I have been raising caterpillars for the last while.  Alas, no Monarchs, tis a bad year for them. You may want to read the article, on the disappearing Monarchs, in the Lancaster newspaper yesterday Aug 27 or 28, you can find it at Lancaster online too.  Lets hope they can make a comeback.  I have about 10 black swallowtails thanks to the James Strickler family and 5 (I gave away more than 30) Imperial moths, thanks to Tara Wright and children.  I also found 2 wildflowers than have yet to be identified.

unidentified wildflower 

unidentified wildflower

Black Swallowtail cats do not miss the little black an white one to the left of center

Imperial moth cats  - compare to the earlier blog - they have grown to almost 4 inches, soon to pupate

Here are some pics.

2013 NATURE CLUB

Below are some pics from our 4th annual nature club.  Pics by Myron Hostetter.

John Knisley shared about his recent trip to Rocky Mountain Bear Country
and had opening devotions for us.

A very nice group of young and "old"

All enjoyed "Nature Walk" the giant board game

more children play "Nature Walk" while others participate in show and tell

Don brings more butterflies for the butterfly house

and Molly Sauder.