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This June I’ve been thinking about places I want to go now that it’s gotten hot out and summer is underway … πŸ•

This June I’ve been thinking about places I want to go now that it’s gotten hot out and summer is underway … πŸ•

 Schoharie Valley

Schoharie County

The next two weekends are the Gas Up. The Mine Kill Pool opens on July 1st. Strawberries and so many other good things from farm stands in Schoharie Valley. Camp up at Burnt-Rossman State Forest, maybe connect up with some of my buddies out that way. Maybe do some fishing.

Camping At Betty Brook

Madison County

I have been biting to get out for another paddle on the Nine Mile Swamp. I also think a hike along Chenango Canal again would be delightful as long as it’s not ungodly hot. Also some bird watching and fishing in Sherbune at the Rogers Center. Of course if it’s hot, the beach at Glimmerglass Park might be nice.

Along One of Twists in Creek

Black River Valley

I haven’t been to the Black River Valley in about 5 years and it would be fun to spend a long weekend out that way in the Otter Creek Area, and meet up with some friends and poke around the Western Adirondacks.

 Keener Hill Road

Piseco-Powley Road

The Potholers of course. But also just a quiet, maybe extended weekend off the grid would be nice. I do like that swimming hole at House Pond Campsite, and some of the other hikes. And just relaxing and being off-the-grid for a few days. Maybe do clams in beer, that was so good that one hot summer weekend down at the House Pond Campsite.

Camp

 

Strolling around camp

I often enjoy going for a random stroll around my campsite, surveying the land. Not because it’s my land for any length of time but because I want to survey it and understand it as fully as possible during my brief occupation of the land. A simple walk is a way to pass the time without going anywhere.

 Camp

 

P.M.D.

As people are afraid of chemistry, p-Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) sounds really scary while oil of lemon eucalyptus is friendly.

But so called oil of lemon eucalyptus sold commercially is actually synthesized PMD, according to EPA. But people hate science, but they eat up marketing surrounding organic products.

 Weapons in the War On Black Flies

I used up the last of the picardin I had over the weekend, and are running low on high-concentration DEET. But black fly season is almost over. I am going to get more picardin for sure, as doesn’t stain clothing or damage rubber/plastic, doesn’t cause allergic reaction, smells nicer, and works fairly well, but maybe not as good as DEET.

But I’m interested in PMD too. I’m going to have to try a bottle of it.

Brown-headed cowbird – Wikipedia

Brown-headed cowbird – Wikipedia

The species lives in open or semiopen country, and often travels in flocks, sometimes mixed with red-winged blackbirds (particularly in spring) and bobolinks (particularly in fall), as well as common grackles or European starlings.[2] These birds forage on the ground, often following grazing animals such as horses and cattle to catch insects stirred up by the larger animals. They mainly eat seeds and insects.

Before European settlement, brown-headed cowbirds followed bison herds across the prairies. Their population expanded with the clearing of forested areas and the introduction of new grazing animals by settlers across North America. They are now commonly seen at suburban birdfeeders.

The brown-headed cowbird is an obligate brood parasite; it lays its eggs in the nests of other small passerines (perching birds), particularly those that build cup-like nests. The brown-headed cowbird eggs have been documented in nests of at least 220 host species, including hummingbirds and raptors.[12][13] The young cowbird is fed by the host parents at the expense of their own young. Brown-headed cowbird females can lay up to 36 eggs in a season. More than 140 different species of birds are known to have raised young cowbirds.[14]

House finch – Wikipedia

House finch – Wikipedia

The house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is a bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is native to western North America and has been introduced to the eastern half of the continent and Hawaii. This species and the other "American rosefinches" are placed in the genus Haemorhous.

Spotted one right out my window on this rainy day. Pretty bird with a red - pinkish chest and a brown coat.