Cook Forest State Park

Happy Thankful Thursday! 

Last week, hubby and I visited the Cook Forest State Park in Northwest Pennsylvania. My tree hugging hubby enjoys seeing old growth forest and this park is known for it's Forest Cathedral of towering White Pines and Hemlocks. We enjoyed walking the trails for a day and half, staying at a local hotel in Clarion Pa. 

Walking the trails, I checked out the birds, mushrooms and the trees. Below, you will see some of our sights while visiting this park. In the mosaic, a Hairy woodpecker, Wren, the only bear we saw, Northern Flicker, Wooly Bear Caterpillar, Wood Thrush, Butterfly and a Robin. 

We walked over the swinging bridge on one of the trails.

Tall pines, moss covered rocks and lots of mushrooms.

The Northern Flickers were seen often. The skies were clear and a pretty blue.

Turkey Feathers, it is amazing even to see what grow on a fallen tree. The mushrooms and fungi are beautiful.

The creek near the picnic pavilion, a pretty orange leaf fall tree.

We saw a few different woodpeckers while walking the trails, I believe this is a Hairy Woodpecker. It seemed larger in size than the Downy Woodpeckers.

After leaving Cook Forest State Park we made a slight detour and met blogging friend Linda of Thebeautyaroundus  at the Kinzua Bridge State Park.  I will be doing a blog more about this park and meeting Linda on my Travel blog

For my skywatch, I view of the sky and destroyed bridge in Kinzua Bridge State Park. If you look hard you can see part of the bridge laying on the ground. That is from the tornado. 

I am thankful for our for the people who acquired this land and turned it into a place for all the public to enjoy. The trees years ago could have been logged but one person saw that these trees needed to be saved and made sure that they were protected. 

I am always thankful for your visits and your comments.

Thank you Michelle for hosting. Thankful Thursday

Thank you to the hosts of   Skywatch Friday


Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments. Have a happy day!

Saturday's Critters #191

Welcome to Saturday's Critters!

If you love critters like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!


I am sharing some critters from our last visit to Shenandoah Nat'l Park and Skyline Drive. It is a favorite place for a daytrip,  we enjoy hiking on the trails and just riding on the Skyline Drive.

I have to admit, seeing the black bears at this park is a thrill. This black bear below looked kind of young and skinny. I hope it survives.

On the Limberlost Trail I watched these two Hairy Woodpeckers pecking at the same tree. The Hairy Woodpeckers look like the Downy Woodpecker only bigger in size. Their bill is larger in size too. It is hard getting a clear shot of one moving woodpecker much less two woodpeckers. Their heads are always pecking into the trees, lol.

I believe this is the Field Sparrow below, if not I would appreciate the id help. It was seen at the Big Meadows, Shenandoah. The Field Sparrow has a pink bill.

Also on our Big Meadows walk we saw lots of Swallows, I believe these are the Barn Swallows.

The Big Meadows is an awesome spot in the park for a walk. We saw lots of butterflies and birds. I think this is the Wood Nymph Butterfly. Edited my butterfly id thanks to Karolina.

I appreciate and thank everyone who links up their post and for all the wonderful comments! I hope you enjoy my post and photos too!



Here is a list of my linky parties;
Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious host: Anni.

Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!