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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.

A group of us spent 4 days at a cabin up on Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park. As we do every year, we spent most of the time fishing and canoeing, plus I took a lot of photographs.

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) - The Double-crested Cormorants roost on the island across from our cabin in the evenings and then head out in the mornings to hunt for fish and other water creatures.  The way they roost on… — Double-crested Cormorant (*Phalacrocorax auritus*) -
The Double-crested Cormorants roost on the island across from our cabin in the evenings and then head out in the mornings to hunt for fish and other water creatures. The way they roost on the branches makes them look eerily like dracula in his bat form.

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) -Painted Turtles are my favorite subjects to photograph while paddling at Moraine.  On sunny days, they line the logs along the shallow bays and coves and we can get quite close before they dive to the safety of… — Painted Turtle (*Chrysemys picta*) -
Painted Turtles are my favorite subjects to photograph while paddling at Moraine. On sunny days, they line the logs along the shallow bays and coves and we can get quite close before they dive to the safety of the water.

Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) -We found this Trout Lily on the island across from our cabin.  The sun was positioned perfectly to backlight the flower petals making for a perfect photograph.  Trout Lilys don't last long, but when the… — Trout Lily (*Erythronium americanum*) -
We found this Trout Lily on the island across from our cabin. The sun was positioned perfectly to backlight the flower petals making for a perfect photograph. Trout Lilys don't last long, but when they're in their prime, they are absolutely beautiful.

American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) -While paddling the "hidden river," my buddy's wife was surprised to see a pair of eyes staring back at her from the bank.  As it turns out, it was a nice size bullfrog getting some sun.  Bullfrogs can … — American Bullfrog (*Rana catesbeiana*) -
While paddling the "hidden river," my buddy's wife was surprised to see a pair of eyes staring back at her from the bank. As it turns out, it was a nice size bullfrog getting some sun. Bullfrogs can vary greatly in color and this one was particularly brown.

White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) - Just as in Little Sewickley Creek valley, there were large colonies of Trillium on the rich soils along the lake.  The flowers were in full bloom and in some spots, were literally everywhere. — White Trillium (*Trillium grandiflorum*) -
Just as in Little Sewickley Creek valley, there were large colonies of Trillium on the rich soils along the lake. The flowers were in full bloom and in some spots, were literally everywhere.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) - I saw more Bloodroot this year than I've ever seen.  It really is a beautiful flower, but it doesn't last very long and blooms for far shorter than most wildflowers I am familiar with. — Bloodroot (*Sanguinaria canadensis*) -
I saw more Bloodroot this year than I've ever seen. It really is a beautiful flower, but it doesn't last very long and blooms for far shorter than most wildflowers I am familiar with.

Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) - Our trip was in late April and the Violets were still in full bloom.  We found this specimen along the shore when we took a break from paddling. — Common Blue Violet (*Viola sororia*) -
Our trip was in late April and the Violets were still in full bloom. We found this specimen along the shore when we took a break from paddling.

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