Jack-in-the-Pulpit Seed Pod

Bright red seeds of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit, more correctly called drupes, make an appearance in August.

Northern Red Salamander

The Northern Red Salamander is one of our most colorful salamanders. In the spring they move from water onto land to spend the year until late fall when they return to the water for the winter. As they age they darken in color and will often have a purple cast to their appearance.

Porcupine Den

It's not hard to determine where porcupines den at. They leave large amounts of droppings at their entrances. This den was located in a hollow beech tree at Hemlock Lake. Porcupines also den in rock crevices and caves.

While Their Owners Fish

Amish horses take a break while their owners do some fishing at the lake.

Heading Out on the Blairsville Riverfront Trail

Evening Walk on Hoodlebug Trail

The Hoodlebug Trail is a popular location to take a walk at the end of a summer day. On our own brief walk there on a Tuesday evening we came across 20 others walkers enjoying the trail.

Experience Nature

Sassafras Seeds

The outercovering of seed capsules of the Sassafras tree are black, red and yellow.

Reappearing Headstone

When the waters of Little Mahoning Creek recede each summer the base of this headstone becomes visible. The headstone itself is a little further downstream.

A Summer Day at Trusal Covered Bridge

Race Awards

Winning runners in the Race for the Trail receive gold, silver or bronze spikes and wooden train engines as thier awards.

Race Registration at Dilltown

The Indiana Roadrunners Club held their annual Race for the Trail on August 12, 2017. About 140 runners and walkers participated in this year's event.

Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar

In August the Monarch Butterflies caterpillars in our area begin to go through their transformation. The only food that they eat are the leaves of milkweed. Once this caterpillar transforms into a Monarch Butterfly it will begin its long journey to Mexico. Photo by Steve Walters.

Blairsville Riverfront Trail Race

Damaged Bridge

Thomas Covered Bridge received damage from a delivery truck that exceeded the height limitations of the bridge. We will be making repairs to the bridge in the next few weeks. Posted August 11, 2017.

Beautiful Invasive

Purple Loosestrife is a highly invasive plant that will often take over entire fields or wetlands. Although it is a strikingly beautiful plant it crowds out native species.

Virgin Bower Vine

A member of the Clematis family the Virgin Bower is a native vine that has a showy appearance in August.

Morning Rainbow at Buttermilk Falls

Most sunny mornings a rainbow appears at Buttermilk Falls.

We Work, You Play

Members of our trail crew are shown installing some new fence in the Myr-Walt area of Center Township along the Hoodlebug Trail. Luke Karp, Barry Lee and Glenn McElwee were assisted in the project by members of the Career Track Youth Employment program.

A View from the Dam

A cloudy and peaceful morning at Indiana County's Hemlock Lake. The 62-acre lake is a popular fishing area in northeast Indiana County.

Blue Spruce Gardens in Bloom

Monarda fistulosa - A Good Bee Plant

Monarda fistulosa, the wild bergamot or bee balm, is a wildflower in the mint family (Lamiaceae) widespread and abundant as a native plant in much of North America. This plant, with showy summer-blooming pink to lavender flowers, is often used as a honey plant, medicinal plant, and garden ornamental.. The species is quite variable, and several subspecies or varieties have been recognized within it.

Our Rainy Summer

The summer of 2017 has been a summer of rain, which is good for fungi and mushrooms.

Family Time on the Hoodlebug Trail

The Rainy Season

July 2017 has been a rainy month with frequent showers and thunderstorms. This photo shows some low clouds over the lake at Blue Spruce Park.

Fishing at Hemlock Lake

Boats at Hemlock Lake are restricted to electric motors or hand-powered only as per regulations of the PA Fish & Boat Commission.

Mine #6 Portal at Vintondale, PA

The reconstructed six-by-twelve-foot mine portal entrance stands exactly where the once-bustling Mine No. 6 Portal entrance was located in Vintondale along the Ghost Town Trail. The image of men in the middle of a shift change, taken from 1938 home movie footage contributed by Vintondale resident Julius Morey, is now etched life-sized in black polished stone.