The "You Just Never Know What Can Kill You!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about five of the deadliest critters you will find on the face of this earth.  Sure, there are the tigers and lions as well as the big snakes that can scare the crap out of you, but there are also five critters that may not be as scary, but are certainly as deadly as those found in the biggest cages of your local zoo.  In one recent year, over half-a-million people died at the hands of another human, but that number pales in comparison to what one of these deadly critters can do to the population of the world.  

The Polar Bear

The first animal is the Polar Bear.  While most deadly animals will protect their territory and their young ones, the polar bear is one of the few animals that will attack humans for food.  Not the food you have in your hand at the time, but for your body.  Luckily they do have a instinctual fear of humans due to a lack of natural exposure, but they can easily overpower a small mammal or a human and their attack is often fatal.  

The Emu

The Emus doesn't prey on humans, but don't care to have humans moving around in their surround- ings.  In the winter of 1932, Australian settlers found acquired lands encroached upon by emu migrations numbering in the tens of thousands.   The large presence of emus made agriculture nearly impossible and sparked what was knnwn as "The Goat Emu War."  Machine guns, bounties and organized parties proved no match for the flightless birds who evaded attacks and left settlers with an awkward truce and miles of barrier fencing.  Are you one who can stand to see a spider?  I find them fascinating, but at times worry they may have gotten me and I can't find them.  

Funnel-web spider

Well, the Funnel-web spider is in the list of deadly creatures of the Outback.  They are the most toxic species of spiders that there are on the planet.  They are attracted to water and are often found near swimming pools.  Most attacks are from the males and the bite can kill a child in hours or an adult in a day.  They were a significant cause of death during early human colonization of their habitats, though anti-venom treatments are fast and effective.  That's provided you know you were bitten and are close enough to a location to obtain the anti-venom.  Another large creature that can be deadly is the Hippopotamus.  

The Hippopotamus

Sometimes known as "River Horses", they are aquatic and live in herds.  They are so dense and heavy that they can walk under- water.  Their calves are frequently targets of crocodiles and adults have been observed engaging in anti-predator behaviors.  These creatures are a threat to wandering and fishing humans with the death toll ranging from 500 to 3,000 a year.  If you see a baby hippo, stay away since they perceive threats to their young as a good reason to attack.  The final deadly creature doesn't bear fangs or claws, but are responsible for the largest number of human deaths related to animals in the past few years.  They have fragile wings and a thread-like proboscis and carry diseases as diverse as dengue fever and Zika virus.  

The Mosquito

The mosquito has spread disease throughout the developing world with malaria being one of the top killers with about 212 million cases in 2015 and 429,00 of those cases resulting in death.  So hard to spot and at times you don't know they are with you until you feel that little prick on the arm or neck.  If you know you are in a locale that may frequent mosquitoes, use a spray before going out in the open.  That may prevent you from being the next victim of the deadly mosquito.  The five deadliest critters I have just told you about aren't necessarily large in size or easy to spot, but be aware of your surroundings wherever you go and try and avoid becoming a victim of a deadly attack.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "But, Yet Another Visit To Middle Creek" Story

Trail we followed to view the snow geese and Tundra swans.
Click on images to enlarge them.

It was an ordinary day.  Cool February day with tempera- tures in the low 50s when my wife said we ought to go see the Snow Geese, Tundra Swans and Canadian Geese at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area between Lebanon and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is a special tract set aside for the protection, propagation, management, preservation and controlled harvest of wildlife.  

Signs telling you to stay on the trails.

It is a 400+ acre shallow lake and 70 acres of man-made potholes, ponds and dikes which have been constructed as a marshy habitat for waterfowl.  The lands that surround the preserved area are farmed to provide pasture for waterfowl and other wildlife.  An adjacent ridge is comprised of oak and hickory woodlands.  Beautiful drive as you wind your way from major highways to the Wildlife area.  Every year over a quarter of a million people visit Middle Creek to try and make sightings of water fowl.  Middle Creek was designated a Globally Significant important Bird Area, based on hosting a large percentage of the world's population of Tundra Swans and Snow Geese.  

One of a few Bald Eagles Carol and I spotted.

Carol and I arrived about 4:00 PM and the roads around the area were packed with cars pulled off the road hoping to catch a glimpse of the wildlife.  We pulled into a nearby parking lot to try and find a spot to park so we could walk the Willow Point Trail to a picnic area to view the birds on the water.  Was our lucky day and we found a spot in the front row as someone was leaving.  As we walked the trail toward the picnic area Carol pointed up and there was our first sighting of a Bald Eagle for the day.  Shortly a second Bald Eagle arrived, giving me a few neat photos.  

The only hawk we sighted.

Off in the distance we could see a Heron standing along water's edge, but too far away to take a photo.  We arrived at the picnic area just in time to view a couple of thousand snow geese rise from the water in unison, going left, right and up, all in large synchronated dance movements.  A remarkable sight to see!  My Nikon was clicking as fast as it could.  As I looked skyward I saw a hawk surveying the entire dance.  To one side of me were close to 50 photographers with equipment far greater and more expensive than I, sitting on equally valuable trips-pods that would rotate upon command.  

Serious equipment to document the migration.

The show was just beginning.  We were told to head to see the sights in early morning or late afternoon, since the birds would be in the surrounding fields foraging for grain during the rest of the day.  A half hour after we had arrived, the water area in front of us was covered with birds.  The sound was amazing!  All birds corresponding  with one another at the same time.  It was a moment that you can only visualize if you were there.  

A few of the bird houses along the path.  Made by
my friend Hal who donates his time to the wildlife area.

Telling the difference between the snow geese and the Tundra Swan is fairly easy, since the snow geese have black wing tips.  As soon as they take flight you can see the black on the tips of the wings.  As for the swans, they tend to have a longer neck and are white all over.  The majority of the snow geese are migratory and will be leaving in a few days, while the swans are partially migratory with some remaining at Middle Creek year round.  

The only photograph I have that shows the Tundra Swans.  The
two all white birds are the swans while the others are snow geese.

After an hour of constant noise, Carol and I found our way back to the car.  Along the trail were a few wooden birdhouses for a variety of different types of birds.  Many of these birdhouses are constructed by my friend Hal who taught school with me and now volunteers making the birdhouses for the wildlife area.  My photographs will give you an idea as to what it was like to view the wonder of migrating birds.  Truly amazing and one of God's wonders.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Thousands take flight at one time. The light area at the bottom
are birds on the top of the water.

Two are out of formation.

The leader is calling out directions for landing.

This trees appears to have white flowers, but they are geese in the distance.

Some come very close to you while feeding. 

Geese in flight.

Some are more clear and close to me in this photo.

Birds in flight!  They are magnificent creatures.

The "The Legend Of The Albatwitch...It Really Is True! Story

It was an ordinary day.  Walking through the wooded hills along the west bank of the Susquehanna River in Columbia, Pennsylvania.  A bit to the north is the town of Marietta while Columbia lays to the south.  In the past I have written about the small park along the Susquehanna known as Chickies Rock County Park and the beautiful views one has of the mighty Susquehanna River from that location.  It's a short drive from the main highway to the park and the photographs you can take are remarkable.  But, there is a second parking lot along the main road which requires you find your way through the dense woods to the top of Chickies Rock.  And, that densely wooded area is said to be home to the dreaded Albatwitch (alba - twitch).  Now, I realize that the Albatwitch is just a local legend, but if you find you must walk through the woods, he becomes more real with every step and noise you experience.  

A photograph of an alleged Albatwitch taken
near Chickies Rock near Columbia, PA.

The Albatwitch is alleged to be a small (about 4 feet tall), manlike creature which supposedly lives in the wooded hills along the river.  At one time the Susquehannock Indian tribe roamed these hills and were said to have painted a small apelike monster on their war-shields.  Their home allegedly was at the base of Chickies Rock where the ruin of a village and burial grounds were found at one time.  Could the figure on their shields be the Albatwitch?   But, there have been other sightings of the Albatwitch all along the shores of the river in the area close to Columbia, PA.  The creature is named for the habit it is said to possess; that of being an "apple-snitch."  He, or she, has been known to have stolen apples from picknickers, occasionally throwing them at the startled people.  The creature has been sighted sitting in the treetops, coming down only to look for food.  But, the legend also says that the Albatwithes either became extinct or were driven nearly into extinction in the later years of the nineteenth century.  But, in the 1950s to the 1970s, a small manlike creature was once again sighted in the woods along the Susquehanna.  Plus, the crack of a whip also accompanies the sightings.  Could it be that the Albatwitch has returned?  A vague report concerning the sighting of a hairy humanoid came from Lancaster in 1973 with another report of a sighting in Annville (about 20 miles to the north) in the same year.  Across the Susquehanna, to the west, is the town of Wrightsvile which is part of York County.  They, too, have had sightings while looking across the river during times when leaves were off the trees.  I also read that the Pennsylvania Dutch brought the legend with them when they settled the area around the banks of the Susquehanna River.  The Albatwitch may be nothing more than Germanic folklore.  In the 21st Century, the Albatwitch has become a tourist draw to the area.  Reports of hairy creatures still abound, but nothing like the Albatwitch.  So, a group is now taking people on a "Ghosts of Columbia" walking tour.  That's after they offer them apple fritters, apple dumplings, caramel apples and apple pies.  I sure hope they know what the are doing!  The tour begins as dusk!  To tell you the truth, I don't care much to visit the area by myself anymore.  I make sure I have someone, such as my wife, make the trek with me from the car to Chickies Rock.  Just in case!  It was another extraoridnary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "English Walnuts Everywhere!" Story

The six English Walnut trees next to my house.

It was an ordinary day.  Finally decided it was time to begin the clean-up of the hill to the left of my house which has six large English Walnut trees on it.  Carol and I had just returned from an 11 day vacation to Antigua with our traveling friends Jere and Just Sue and when we left they were just beginning to drop their walnuts.  

Two buckets sit in front of an entire lawn
covered with English Walnuts.

Well, it didn't take long to drop the majority of them so I grabbed my large plastic buckets and began to pick up the walnuts from the lawn under them as well as much of the land nearby.  About ten years ago I wrote a story telling of doing the same thing, but with 10 more years of growth, the task has grown.  Years ago I was approached by a few people who asked if they could have the walnuts if they collected them.  I loved not having to spend hours picking them up, but after one year they never returned again.  They told me they were transporting then to another state to the west where they would sell them to a candy company.  This year I collected 21 buckets of English Walnuts and deposited them behind a fence to the bottom of the hill where the trees stand.  

The local squirrel and chipmunk population
uses our fence top to open and eat the walnuts.
Notice the hundreds of walnuts behind the fence.

 That was after I spent about half an hour throwing a few hundred behind the fence until my arm got tired.  Throughout the fall and winter months the squirrel population in the neighborhood will help themselves to the collection of English Walnuts behind the fence.  Many sit on the fence, break them open and after eating them leave the remains on the fence.  I must clean the fence a couple of times to keep the layer of shells from growing too high.  I have no idea what they taste like since I don't care for walnuts, but if the piles of shells is any indication, they must be good!  The cleanup usually takes the better part of a day since I find it such a daunting task as I grow older.  Perhaps it is time to hire a neighborhood boy or girl to take over the task for me.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Our neighbors help themselves to the walnuts and sit on the fence to eat them.

The "Hats Off To The Pair Of Good Samaritans & Police Officer" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Following online, as well as on local television, the story of a mother and her daughter who happened upon a female boxer dog along the side of a road in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania who looked to be in distress.  The sky was beginning to darken and upon farther examination, they found she was in labor and had already given birth to four young puppies next to the busy roadway.  They quickly called the local police department and shortly Officer McKernan of the West Hempfield Police Department arrived to assist the women and dogs.  He managed to put the female boxer in his cruiser and headed to Pet Pantry of Lancaster which was co-founded by Dr. Bryan Langlois who is the medical director of the shelter.  The mother and daughter loaded the newborns into their car and followed to Pet Pantry.  On the way to Pet Pantry, the female dog gave birth to her fifth puppy on the back seat of the cruiser.  

Mom and her new puppies.

Once at the shelter the mother dog carried her newborn in her mouth into the shelter where she was reunited with her other pups.  Before she was done, she had delivered a total of nine puppies.  One pup was stillborn while another didn't survive overnight.  The litter consists of five males and two females with all doing well, including the mother dog.  Dr. Langlois told the newspaper and television station that "Mom is a champ.  She knows just what to do, and that makes our job a whole lot easier here."  The mother dog and her puppies will soon be sent to a foster home until the pups mature and are ready for adoption.  Happy ending for a very stressful experience for all concerned.  Lancaster County has many stray animals that at times don't meet the same good samaritans as this lucky female boxer did.  At times there doesn't seem to be enough people to adopt all the strays in the county.  Many strays are caught and taken to shelters to be either spayed or neutered, but end up being released back into the community.  It is a problem that has been part of life for as long as I can remember and I doubt if it will ever change.  Hopefully the new brood and their mother will find people that will give them a loving home.  My wife, Carol, and I have adopted a few pets over the years and at present have two cats that found their way to our back door over a year ago.  They are so lovable and make our days full of joy and entertainment.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "Tough Getting A Square Meal Around Here!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  At least for me it was, but for one very large king snake who lives at Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary is was as if something was eating at him.  Actually, he was eating himself.  The founder of the sanctuary, Jesse Rothacker, discovered that one of his rescued king snakes was trying to swallow himself.  Talk about being hungry.  

Now, if you can't stomach looking at or holding snakes, this place wouldn't be for you, but Lancaster County is so lucky to have a fellow like Jesse who takes in all types of reptiles that otherwise might be released into the wild and perish shortly afterward.  So, what do you do when you discover that one of your residents got so hungry that they grabbed the other end of their body and began to swallow it?  Jesse said that it's not unusual to find a king snake biting themselves, but he's never found one that was swallowing its tail.  This particular snake was found to gnaw on itself, but not to the extent that it did when found with its tail about three feet into its mouth.  I showed my wife the photograph in the newspaper that was submitted by Jesse and she turned her head and told me to get it away from her.  

The snake eating itself.

The story in the paper said that Jesse did find scarring on the tail of the reptile which means it must have tried to eat itself in the past. But, to this extent?  Jesse said that this snake seems to always be hungry, but never went to this extent before.  He joked that this snake probably wouldn't do well on the SAT.  Accompaning the online article was a video showing how Jesse was able to get the snake to regurgitate almost half its own body.  After all of its body was regurgitated, it received a bath to get rid of "digestive juices".  All that could be found to show what had happened were small pin pricks where the teeth bit into the body.  The snake has been adopted and will move to its new home in the near future.  Hope the new owner realizes that it must feed the snake often in order to keep it from eating itself once again.  Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary is found in the small village of Elm which is to the north of Lititz, Pennsylvania.  Forgotten Friend is a nonprofit reptile rescue and education group that focuses on the prevention of cruelty to animals.  Its address is not given out since it works with law enforcement.  You can watch the video of the snake's rescue at LancasaterOnline.com.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Visiting With Bernadine Ali: Part II" Story

It was an ordinary day.  I had just pulled into the area in French St. Martin known as Paradise View.  It was a few minutes after 7:00 am as I drove back the narrow lane that is laden with trash and rubbish scattered on both sides of the lane.  

Bernadine's home on Paradise View with her two guards.

In a few seconds I pulled close to Bernadine's home at the rear of the lane.  Wasn't long before my car is surrounded by dogs as the cats sit around her home watching as I get out of the car.  Rasheed, her live-in security force and good friend tells me she will be right back.  She had to pick up two cats to take to the vet today that someone found.  Seems the vet runs an island shelter for all sorts of animals.  It was yesterday that I had asked Bernadine if I could help her in any way and she asked if I could take her to the vet this morning.  

One of Bernadine's 12 feline friends.

OK!  I had offered and I couldn't renege, so I'm here today to help the savior of the island's homeless animals.  In no time she pulls her damaged and old car behind me, gets out holding an animal carrier with two small cats staring out at me.  I load them into the back seat of my rental as well as one of her rescued cats that is going in to be spayed today.  

Trying to catch the escaped kitty.

Traffic is heavy as we negotiate the islands awful roads from the French side to the Dutch side of the island where her vet is located.  About thirty minutes later I pull into the vet's parking lot and we each carry an animal carrier through the door.  Her appointment is at 8:00 am and we are on time!  As we sit waiting another island man and woman bring in a very angry large cat wrapped in a blanket.  Seems they couldn't find their pet carrier so they wrapped their kitty in a blanket for his trip to the vet.  Wasn't more than two minutes before he had escaped and was climbing the rack of animal food on the one wall.  Bernadine jumped to her feet to lend help while I snapped a few photos of the event.  The gentleman noticed blood running down his arm and the attendant grabbed him to take him back for first aid.  

Bernadine with one of her favorites.

The poor scared cat was finally captured and placed in an animal carrier.  Bernadine was called and she took the two carriers back the narrow hall and two minutes later returned telling me it was time to head home.  I must admit it was a rather entertaining trip to the vet for me.   We took a different route home, since I found out she needed to stop for groceries...if that was OK with me.  Sure, why not!  I waited as she went inside the store and about 10 minutes later came out with a large bag of dog food.  Then she asked if I could stay put while she goes in the other grocery story on the other side of the parking lot. I was enjoying the action and entertainment in the parking lot so I told her that was fine.  Another 10 minutes and we were on our way once again.  It was at this point that she told me she needed to return before 5:00 pm to pick up her cat that was being spayed and could I bring her back for that.  I knew my wife had other arrangements so I told her how sorry I was, but that wasn't going to work.  We headed back toward Paradise View, drove back her lane and got the empty carriers out of the car.  I was about to say goodbye to her when she asked if I could take her to the nearby Gendarmarie which is the local police station on the French side.  She had business she needed to take care of this morning.  Took about 5 minutes to get there and I pulled into the lot and asked how long she was going to be.  

Posing for a selfie with one that wouldn't let me go!

Maybe 20 to 30 minutes she told me.  Wow, that's not going to work.  Carol was waiting for me to head to the beach and it was one of our two last days on the island.  She thanked me with a big hug and said someone at the station would take her home.  Geraldine is such a wonderful person and I hated to disappoint her, but my vacation was over soon and I didn't want to spend the rest of the morning driving around the island, running errands.  We will return some day soon and make another stop to visit with her and her homeless menagerie.  It at times is so sad to see all these homeless animals on the island, but good to know that someone like Bernadine has taken it upon herself to save all these poor souls.  She really is the savior for the island's homeless and I was glad to be a small part of that for the morning.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Exploring The Wild In Style" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Heading north out of Lititz, Pennsylvania to make a visit to Cabela's, Inc. in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.  The ride will take about an hour, since we are taking the back roads to take in the scenery.  The store is about a quarter of a million square feet in size and extremely impressive if you are an outdoor's person.  Our chauffeur today is Hal and I am sitting in the rear seat of his Ford Escape with Jeff while Barry plays shotgun for today's trip.  The four of us have known each other for many years, since we taught school together in the Manheim Township School District in Lancaster County.  

Main entrance of Cabela's in Hamburg, Pennsylvania

Hal had been to the store quite a few times while Jeff and Barry have visited a time or two.  Today will be my first visit to the mammoth store that specializes in supplies for hunters and fishermen.  The company, which was recently sold to Bass Pro Shops, does well over 1 billion in sales each year and attracts 60 million visitors a year.  

Stepping into the world of fishing and hunting

The store has over 400 employees who are some of the most interesting and helpful you will ever meet.  Hal told us the story of the place and how the entire area around the store was constructed after Cabela's was completed.  The parking lot is as big as some residential neighborhoods.  Anyone entering for the first time has to be impressed at the size of the place.  Tough to see to the other end due to the immense size of the interior.  If you aren't a fan of stuffed animals and taxidermy, this isn't the place for you.  Has to be a couple of hundred preserved animals of all sizes in the myriad of displays around the store.  The rest of my story will be a visual one to show you the immense size of the place and the quality of products they sell as well as the High Temple of Taxidermy.  I naturally had my camera with me.  I have only identified a few of the photos, since most are easily identifiable and the rest I have forgotten their names.  Enjoy!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - Click on images to enlarge them.

Entering the fresh-water aquarium

Friends from left are Barry, Hal and Jeff

The second level has a lunch room

John, one of many fabulous employees

The end of the journey.  Took almost 2 hours to explore the place.