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A photo blog of the Little Sewickley Creek Watershed that includes wildflowers, wild mushrooms, frogs, trees, and all the flora and fauna indigenous to the area. Little Sewickley Creek is a small stream about 13 miles downriver from Pittsburgh, Pa that flows through old growth forest until it eventually empties into the Ohio River.

I was on vacation up on Lake Erie a couple weeks ago and I was able to take some really good photos. We had a great time and I was especially excited to get some good Bald Eagle pictures. As a matter of fact, we saw the Eagles more on this trip than ever before. Typically we see them three or four times a weekend, this time we saw them three or four times a day. It was awesome.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) - I've noticed that the Eagles typically get spooked long before I even get near them when I'm on foot, so my nephew and I paddled a 2-person kayak down to the tall pines they frequent along the shore to tr… — Bald Eagle (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) -
I've noticed that the Eagles typically get spooked long before I even get near them when I'm on foot, so my nephew and I paddled a 2-person kayak down to the tall pines they frequent along the shore to try to get better pictures. It worked ok, but ironically it was after we landed our boats that I was able to get this picture. We typically see two mature Eagles and at least one juvenile, possibly two.

Lady's Thumb (Persicaria vulgaris) - Lady's Thumb is very similar Pennsylvania Smartweed that I've posted about before, but Lady's Thumb has white flowers mixed in with the pink blossoms.  We found this specimen on the side of a small wate… — Lady's Thumb (*Persicaria vulgaris*) -
Lady's Thumb is very similar Pennsylvania Smartweed that I've posted about before, but Lady's Thumb has white flowers mixed in with the pink blossoms. We found this specimen on the side of a small waterfall right on the beach near where the Eagles are typically found.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Non-Native - St. John's Wort non-native that is widely known for its medicinally properties but apparently can be poisonous in large amounts to cattle and other grazing animals.  It's an interesting l… — St. John's Wort (*Hypericum perforatum*) Non-Native -
St. John's Wort non-native that is widely known for its medicinally properties but apparently can be poisonous in large amounts to cattle and other grazing animals. It's an interesting little flower though, with a "dunce cap-like" protrusion coming from the middle of the blossom.

Butter and Eggs (Linaria vulgaris) Non-Native - Butter and Eggs are also a non-native that has interesting flowers and a very strange name.  In many areas of the US it is considered an invasive, but I've only seen a few plants in our area … — Butter and Eggs (*Linaria vulgaris*) Non-Native -
Butter and Eggs are also a non-native that has interesting flowers and a very strange name. In many areas of the US it is considered an invasive, but I've only seen a few plants in our area and up on Lake Erie, so this is probably not its preferred habitat.

Mouth of Canadaway Creek - I've posted other photos of Canadaway creek's mouth taken from this very spot before and it always fascinates me how the blue sky gives the surface of the water a deep blue hue too. — Mouth of Canadaway Creek -
I've posted other photos of Canadaway creek's mouth taken from this very spot before and it always fascinates me how the blue sky gives the surface of the water a deep blue hue too.

Allegheny Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens) - Apparently Allegheny Monkeyflower got its name because the flowers purportedly resemble the face of a smiling monkey.  I personally don't see it, but it is a beautiful little flower nonetheless an… — Allegheny Monkeyflower (*Mimulus ringens*) -
Apparently Allegheny Monkeyflower got its name because the flowers purportedly resemble the face of a smiling monkey. I personally don't see it, but it is a beautiful little flower nonetheless and this was the first I've come across it this year.

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) - These two Mergansers were floating in the mouth of Canadaway creek when I happened upon them.  Mergansers typically fly away from me long before I even get close, but these two didn't seem to mind me. … — Common Merganser (*Mergus merganser*) -
These two Mergansers were floating in the mouth of Canadaway creek when I happened upon them. Mergansers typically fly away from me long before I even get close, but these two didn't seem to mind me. I believe the larger one is a female and the other a juvenile (sex unknown).

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) - Milkweed flowers are pretty much done blooming, but their seed pods are just starting to mature.  We found this specimen growing in the area where the forest meets the beach; where the sand is heavily … — Common Milkweed (*Asclepias syriaca*) -
Milkweed flowers are pretty much done blooming, but their seed pods are just starting to mature. We found this specimen growing in the area where the forest meets the beach; where the sand is heavily mixed with the soil. It's surprising to me that Milkweed can grow in such harsh conditions.

Wild Blackberry (Rubus villosus) - Wild Blackberries are fairly abundant on the abandoned property near the mouth of Canadaway creek and they were just starting to ripen when we were there.  I ate a few, but they weren't very sweet surpris… — Wild Blackberry (*Rubus villosus*) -
Wild Blackberries are fairly abundant on the abandoned property near the mouth of Canadaway creek and they were just starting to ripen when we were there. I ate a few, but they weren't very sweet surprisingly.

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Natural Sewickley

Natural Sewickley

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Canadaway Beach on Lake Erie

Natural Sewickley

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