WV State Park Spring Hike

[nudewalker]

In another attempt to add pictures I may have to break this up a bit. Anyway on another forum I posted that the winters have taken their toll on the trees here which means many trails are blocked by debris. Now some of us diehards will go over, under or around to continue on our way. Others, that being the textiles you wouldn't want to encounter avoid them. So here is a pic from an area where the trail had to be avoided. 

[nudewalker]

One of the nice things about getting off the beaten path is the ability to spot unusual things. Besides being an excellent place to hike many locals hunt mushrooms in this park. Since there was no clear path at this time and I had to carefully watch my steps this was spotted growing at the base of a tree.

Another feature that I knew existed but wish to share are these giant ant hills. There were at least six that crossed my path in the travels and also one that was close to our camper.

Now for the encounter on this particular hike. While going down a hill there was a gentleman headed up but had his head lowered intently staring at a device in his hand. Recognizing what he was doing a decision was made to not cover and when we approached each other and hello's were said he asked about features up on the hill. I told him what I knew plus the detours he would have to take with all the fallen trees. Then he asked if I had heard of the tic infestation in the woods. I answered that yes I had heard but had not encountered any. Besides I usually feel them plus there is little to hang on to if your not dressed. He gave me a smile and said "May have to try it". 

[Greenbare Woods]

I don't want to complain about the wonderful trip sharing, but the photos are so large that I can only see a small piece at a time and it kind of ruins the photos.  I don't know how to make them smaller on your feed. 

[eyesup]

I did a right click and then selected view image. I was able to see the whole picture.
But you'll  have to do it for each one then click on the back button. It's a workaround
till he figures out the size issue.

Nice photos, nudewalker.

Duane

[nudewalker]

I'm sorry for the large images but I think the problem started when they were imported from the computer to tinypic.com. I should have set the size to "message board" then. I did select message board when I copied them to the text which made them huge. Look for more practice attempts in the "garbage" section; plus it gives me another excuse to get out!

[nudewalker]

I returned to the park yesterday to take advantage of the warm weather plus the 33 acre lake. The trails have been repaired but remain quite muddy and areas where natural springs run have standing water on the pathway. Once again I did have the trail to myself for a few hours of hiking however the camera was not a companion this time. The hike was followed by a two hour kayak adventure on the lake and once I was seated the running kilt was removed to allow me to paddle about naked. Only once did I panic and have to cover as a mother and child in a paddle boat came too close to my comfort zone. My concern being they sat higher and could look down into my craft. Also by that time it became cloudy so most of the recreational people left the lake only to be replaced by fishermen.

So the take away from the day; first, I need to find a smaller camera to carry on hikes and in the kayak and second, as long as this rainy season lasts I will have to find footwear that can be cleaned after trudging through the mud. Thankfully, I did have extra footwear in the vehicle and put my muddy things in a plastic bag that I carry for trash.

So now as I plan my next excursion and follow the radar as the rain approaches again.

[Greenbare Woods]

I'm sorry for the large images but I think the problem started when they were imported from the computer to tinypic.com. I should have set the size to "message board" then. I did select message board when I copied them to the text which made them huge. Look for more practice attempts in the "garbage" section; plus it gives me another excuse to get out!

I don't know much about tinypic.  I post photos from Flickr.com.  Their "share" feature gives me a choice of size for the shared photo.  I can select small, medium, large, etc., with pixel size right there to select.  Something around 500 wide is a good size for a forum. 

Some more recent posts on another topic have photos so small they can't be seen, like thumbnail size.  Again, we have to click to see the photo and then back click to read the forum about the photo.  That's not a good answer either. 

When you post a link from tinypic or elsewhere you might try adding this text in the script: width="500" height="281"    That creates a proper size on the page here. 

And Flickr is following the all too common web tech crap by messing up their web site to make it much less functional.  Maybe the new "style" works better on cell phones.  But it sucks for desk computers.  And their front page "share" feature only will share to facebook, pinter, etc.  I had to click on the photo to go to the older page where it would provide a scrips.
 
Bob

[jbeegoode]

The southwestern USA desert ants will make a sandy pile or space up to ten or twelve feet diameter. This takes time. These spots are very often associated with a positive energy circle, sometimes from artesian water below. Somehow, the ants know, or are affected by the energetic structure.

Nothing like the southeastern USA ant hills, or those Australian ant or termite megalopolises are found here.

Those pics were huge! I didn't think it possible. On my 30 inch screen, it was lifesize! What size was that mound?
Jbee

[nudewalker]

It wasn't the height Jbee as much as the diameter which I would say was near four foot. Also being a cooler day with rain in the forecast there was very little activity. Some of the other ones I've encountered were taller, perhaps three feet plus maybe up to six feet wide. The one near our RV was quite active therefore the efforts to prevent an invasion. Just like all the rest of the critters there; mainly raccoon, campers represent another food source and I'm sure a welcomed one following the winter.

[eyesup]

I'll be hiking across a valley floor and see these ant hills.

Sometimes there is a mound around the ant hill itself. The hill might be 10-12 inches across but the mound could be 2-3 ft. Occasionally I will see more than one within a 10-20 ft. radius. I’ve wondered since they are that close whether they are connected. If so, those colonies must be huge.

Duane