County Reforestation Land, Sheldon Road, Fort Jackson NY

Normally I take a few scenery photos while hiking with the dogs, but then weed them out while editing photos. But I took so many of them while hiking with the dogs in the Fort Jackson State Forest (see previous two posts) that I decided to present them as a separate post. I began with these Pileated Woodpecker holes in a White Pine:

Technically, we were walking along County Reforestation land, though I think of it as Fort Jackson State Forest because this is the road which leads us there:

The forest was a mixture of Red Pine, White Pine, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Beech and Aspen. I'm sure there were lots of other trees also, but these were the main forest denizens:

There was a snowy ridge along the road to our right (on private land), which I decided must be an old stone wall. I'll try to remember to look the next time we're there when there's no snow:

A forest troll:

The road took us through both tall timber and scrubby woods:

When we came to an old logging header, I snapped a picture and turned back toward our parked car:

It was obvious that this section had been logged, but how long ago I could not tell. I also didn't know if it was logged before or after being designated as County Reforestation land. I would think that "reforestation" means no more logging, but I realize "it ain't necessarily so:"

Beech trees and White Pines:

We would have ventured off into the forest if hadn't been for the snow. Maybe we'll do so this summer:

I am always inclined to wander off into the trees, just to see what mystery and beauty lies therein, but the time I got lost in the forest a few years ago has made me much more cautious. I am, after all, a crippled old codger:

More forest beauty:

We were soon back at our car and this excursion came to an end. I hope that you enjoyed the wintry loveliness along the way:

Happy, Wet Dogs In The Benton Road County Reforestation Area

If you read yesterday's post, you know that I promised myself to return to Benton Road with the dogs. Well, I did so the very next day as our non-wintry winter continued to break all warmth records. Alas, it began raining, at times quite hard, but we got out of the car anyway and hoped the pines would shelter us:

The ground was covered with pine needles and many species of moss and Reindeer Lichens:

But for the dogs, running through the trees was the big attraction. Clover and Daphne led the way:

Jack and Clover explored, giving everything a sniff test:

I stopped to photograph this old log with many varieties of lichen on it. My favorite, as always, was the perfectly formed little Pixie Cup lichens:

This was indeed a beautiful area, but not very large. So we left the trail and began exploring in the forest on our own:

Clover was much better behaved this time and didn't run too far ahead - at least not too often:

This sawed off tree trunk had a full head of hair, comprised of ferny moss:

We continued on through the forest without concern. The area wasn't large enough to get lost in. The rain stopped and the sun came out as we walked:

I stopped to photograph this Reindeer Lichen:

It was a fun time for the dogs and for me:

But it was quick excursion and soon we found ourselves back at the car. We may come here again sometime when we want a short walk in a lovely pine forest:

St. Lawrence County Multi-Use Trail

The weather was beautiful and I was caught up on chores, so I took the dogs down to the Catherineville State Forest, about 8 miles from my door. Nothing much is well marked there, neither trails nor roads, and I get confused every time I go there, but I found a sign for a "Multi-Use Trail" on county land. I parked, and let the dogs out:

They ran and explored, while I hollered at them to stay close to me:

The forest was beautiful but my camera was perplexed by the dappled sunlight, not knowing what kind of setting to use. I did manage to get a few photos worth saving, however:

The dogs and I stayed on the trail this time. It was so dense in some places that every time I spoke to the dogs, it sounded like I was in an echo chamber:

And it turned out to be a short loop trail which I remembered from last autumn. It's beautiful in the summertime also. Still short, though:

Clover and Seamus led the way:

And all the dogs stopped to check out the many smells:

Jack ran ahead and then lagged behind. Not wanting to get separated from his new family, however, he always hastened to rejoin us:

The trail had been lovely but far too short. We were almost back to the road and I was contemplating finding another trail to take that afternoon:

And there was our car, just ahead. I let the dogs inside and started it up, hoping to find another good trail. I'll post about that tomorrow:

St. Lawrence County Reforestation Area Number 12

I'd arrived at the farm on Sunday afternoon and gotten settled. On Monday morning I took the four younger dogs hiking up Azure Mountain. We'd done our hiking early in the morning and were back on the road by lunchtime. I stopped at a convenience store in St. Regis Falls and bought a couple of sandwiches and sports drinks. When we arrived back at the farm, I took a nap.

Well, that was all very nice, but the day was still young and the sun was shining. I decided to drive back to the White Hill Wild Forest and hike in from the opposite direction from last time. But the road to the trail head became totally impassable and I had to abandon that project. But on the way home I passed the St. Lawrence County Reforestation Area Number 12. Not only is my farm surrounded by State Forests, there's also many County Forests (and that's not to mention the Adirondack Park only 3 miles from my door):

So I pulled the car off the road and parked. Little Clover led the way down the sandy hill into the forest. The sun was hot and both the deer flies and mosquitoes were biting fiercely:

But the dogs were happy and having a wonderful time:

I passed by large Honeysuckle bushes full of red berries. I've searched my Peterson's Field Guide and decided this must have been Fly-Honeysuckle, Lonicera canadensis, a native flowering shrub:

And blooming profusely in the sandy trail were multitudes of short Maiden Pinks, Dianthus deltoides, an alien species but beautiful nonetheless:

And of course there were ripe raspberries. I helped myself:

The dogs ran up and down the trails, thoroughly enjoying this hike in spite of the heat. It looked to me like the deer flies and mosquitoes were concentrating on me and leaving the dogs mostly alone:

And, of course, Lowbush Blueberries. Again, I helped myself:

The heat was becoming oppressive. I led the dogs through the woods toward what appeared to be a pond, but it turned out to be only an impenetrable swamp. So we turned around and began trekking back toward our parked car - Me, the dogs and billions of deer flies:

Always in the lead, Daphne and Clover arrived first at the car. There are so many State and County Forests to explore that I will be kept busy for a long time: