The Woods

Goats and Soda : NPR

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How SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer could alter the course of the pandemic : Goats and Soda : NPR

Scientists have evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spreads explosively in white-tailed deer, and the virus is widespread in this deer population across the U.S.

Researchers say the findings are quite concerning and could have vast implications for the long-term course of the global pandemic.

Since SARS-CoV-2 first emerged, there have been several signs that white-tailed deer would be highly susceptible to the virus — and that many of these animals were catching it across the country.

A Long-Awaited Homecoming for Peregrine Falcons in the Finger Lakes | All About Birds All About Birds

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A Long-Awaited Homecoming for Peregrine Falcons in the Finger Lakes | All About Birds All About Birds

Just a few miles north of Ithaca, New York, Taughannock Creek (pro?nounced tuh-GAN-uck) carves between the sheer rock walls of a 400-foot gorge, dropping toward Cayuga Lake in a free-fall curtain of water taller than Niagara Falls. There’s a state park trail up this gorge, with a sun-faded sign at the trailhead that bears a mono?chrome photograph of a Peregrine Falcon perched by her cliffside nest, hulking protectively over three downy white chicks. Framed by the white waters of the Taughannock cataract, the peregrine mother is a picture of power: her velocity-hewn teardrop shape is steadfast, even as the film’s long exposure captures the water rushing by. Her gaze is transfixing, even through the sign’s grainy, faded ink and the century that now separates us.

How the hell did I end up going to Hicks Run, Pennsylvania for four nights ? ⛺

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How the hell did I end up going to Hicks Run, Pennsylvania for four nights ? ⛺

That was my reaction when I printed up the camping permit today. Did I really intend to spend half of my vacation there? I don’t know, the camping permit was free. Technically I’m supposed to set up on the first night of the permit or risk forfeiting but I’m pretty sure nobody would notice either way – especially in November before regular season opens.

I honestly still don’t know if I want to go that far – it’s a long ways west and the end of next looks unsettled. The permit was free – I could always write back to cancel or just not show up, I highly doubt there is anybody else who would want the site. That said, Hicks Run isn’t that far from PA 555 which is plowed year round – and I’m not seeing any massive snow storms coming down the pike – although Lake Effect is still a possibility although I’ll be pretty far south.

The truth is that I’ve been watching the Real Appalachia channel on the YouTube and thinking a lot about the small towns in West Virginia – or for that matter elk country in Pennsylvania. Not too different. I like exploring the hollows and going somewhere that’s just different from New York. I haven’t gotten out of the state in two years now bar a brief jaunt over the border to the Green Mountain National Forest last summer. I’ve never spent much time in Elk Country PA except for passing through and that one night I covert camped years ago. Listening to those elk at 5 AM were so magestical.

I don’t have to go there if I don’t want. I’m no fan of campground camping but I expect I’ll have it mostly to myself. The second half of the week might be stormy or cloudy. That said, I’ve been studying up on scenic vistas and hikes nearby. I can always park and walk the dirt roads and trails. I’ll wear plenty of blaze orange for safety.

I still haven’t figured out where I will start my trip. I kind of want to do some time in Madison County and Cazenovia and then take NY 13 to the Finger Lakes through the Otselic Valley and Cortland. Been a while since I’ve gone that way. Maybe it’s because of the good memories of November 2020 at Stoney Pond. Not certain to be repeated. Or if could do an overnight at Long Pond then out to the Finger Lakes. But if I want to go to West Virginia then I really should head down to PA on Saturday for County Bridge campground and straight to West Virginia thereafter on Sunday via the 99. But that’s such a long drive and gas is so expensive. I only have a New York hunting license.

I really haven’t started packing yet. I should have a plan but none really exists. I need to get a lantern globe but I’m not sure where. Dicks at Crossgates? I hate both of those businesses. Walmart locally doesn’t have them although I’ve gotten it before at Walmart Oneonta. I also am very low on groceries – will need at least some to get started. I need to find my map of the Elk State Forest although I’ve been studying online. Pennsylvania has good, free maps. 

Just want a quiet week for camping 🏕

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Just want a quiet week for camping 🏕

Some years I put together great adventures for my week long road trip in October and November. But this year I’m not super ambitious and just want some quiet time in the woods to read, think and do some hiking and hunting. Gas prices are so high these days, which puts a damper in traveling, and my bank account is anything but healthy. But more then that, I feel like everything is just a rush and I’m tired and just want to spend more time away from it all, enjoying the woods.

Final Campfire

Elk roaming Colorado with a car tire around its neck for 2 years is finally freed – CBS News

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Elk roaming Colorado with a car tire around its neck for 2 years is finally freed – CBS News

Elk roaming Colorado with a car tire around its neck for 2 years is finally freed

October 12, 2021 / 8:53 AM / CBS/AP

Wildlife officials in Colorado say an elusive elk that has been wandering the hills with a car tire around its neck for at least two years has finally been freed of the obstruction. The elk was spotted in July of 2019 with the cumbersome necktie but evaded capture until Saturday night, CBS Denver reports.

The 4-and-a-half-year-old, 600-pound bull elk was spotted near Pine Junction, southwest of Denver, on Saturday evening and tranquilized, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Officers with the agency had to cut off the elk's five-point antlers to remove the encumbrance because they couldn't slice through the steel in the bead of the tire.