17 year Cicada

    I visited the east briefly to witness the cicada emergence there, and found these at the home of my kids near Reading, PA. There have been other broods-most notably to me a 13 year generation that I have witnessed since the 1970's- but it was still a wonder to hold an insect in my hands and think that this individual was born in 2004. My life has changed tremendously since that year in many ways, yet for all that time this fragile insect was underground sucking root juices, only to emerge for a few weeks on cue to mate and start the cycle over again. 

 Science is not sure what mechanism synchronizes their inner clock                                                           but to see them flying clumsily around the woods and

hear their mating calls is a rare experience. I anticipate being able to experience one more emergence in 2038 if I survive to my mid 80's, and will see other broods in between, but it is still a remarkable sight.

    The hiker is a man and his dog whom I met while at the Appalachian trail near New Tripoli.  If you Google 'Cloud Culpepper' or his dog 'Raindrop Hound Dog' you'll find their websites with lots of nice pics and info about their travels. He told me he has been

walking around the country for 3 years, thoroughly embraced in the freedom of the lifestyle, with a home base in North Carolina. I could relate to the minimalist in him, and gave him a couple power bars and some information about the trail ahead. As he remarked, he found most people in this nation to be kind and helpful and lamented the negative image so prevalent in the news. If we stop talking about politics and religion ( easier said than done), suddenly we are much more agreeable to one another!   (..click on the pics to enlarge)
 

Kayaking

  Beth and I tried out our new kayaks with friends at Chapman State Park yesterday, a small reservoir type park a few miles from the house. 

    They are 8 foot 'Old Townes' which replaced larger kayaks after we decided we were tired of lifting heavier boats onto the car roof. These only weigh 35 pounds each so are more manageable and tracked well and felt stable. Larger kayaks, such as our friends 10 foot sit-on Perceptions, generally move through the water a little easier, so you sacrifice some things with smaller crafts, but because we often travel downstream on the Allegheny or Conewango rivers that is not much of an issue. The maneuverability and ease of transport are preferable to us right now.  This particular section of the park is the feeder stream that fills the lake and passes a massive beaver hut and through slow water that reminds me of the Okefenokee swamp in Georgia-minus the alligators and moccasins of course. 

     While on the lake an osprey was circling overhead and Beth watched a bald eagle dive for a fish, although she did not think that it had been successful. Some people fish from their kayaks, something I have never tried, although they seem to enjoy it and it would definitively allow me to cover a lot more water than wading as I usually do. I am a casual catch and release fisherman so enjoy being outside either way-but I still feel a bit guilty for the 'trauma' of hooking and throwing back fish, so I really only fish occasionally.  (as always... click on pic to enlarge...)