The large leaves of the skunk cabbage appear after the plant has bloomed in early spring. At the Blacklick Valley Natural Area, where this photo was taken, several large wetland areas are filled with skunk cabbage leaves by the middle of April. Skunk cabbage is a long-lived plant, some of the roots of skunk cabbage have been recorded to live as long as 200 years.
The Conemaugh Gap is the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi, deeper than the famed Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Note a pile of coal in the foreground. Yes, we still mine coal in Indiana County, contrary to the notion by many that the coal industry is no longer with us.
The winter months of early 2015 have been known for below average temperatures and persistent snowfalls. We haven't had as many sunny days as usual but now that we are nearing the end of February the days are longer and colorful sunsets will be reappearing
