DaddyRoBlog

Life at 50

If you are interested, here is my sermon from last Sunday where I reflected on "Life at 50."

Birthday Fish

My biggest steelhead so far...  11 pounds, 2 ounces.   I caught this fish on a trip my wife and I took in celebration of my 50th birthday (which is tomorrow).

The Roof Report

  Almost there...

Actually, I think these gourd vines would be over the top of the roof already except it's been pretty windy and the lead vine got blown to the side.

Stay tuned, though.  I think they're going to make it.

Elk Creek, PA Steelheading

 This video gives you a good idea of what it's like to fish for steelhead.  If you like to fish, make sure your volume is high enough to hear the drag scream when the first fish lights it up on its reel scorching runs.  The second fish was a small one, but it gives you an idea of how  these fish can jump.  That's part of what makes steelheading so fun; these fish do it all. 

His Eyes are Bigger than His Stomach

  I think this must be what they mean when they say someone "bit off more than they can chew."

Let Me Out of Here!

  A monarch chrysalis about to hatch.

Fat

  I'd say she's pregnant, wouldn't you?

Self Defense

  A little while ago I said I'd see if I could get a picture of a mature black swallowtail caterpillar's methods of self defense.  You remember they start out mimicking a bird dropping, then grow to their mature appearance (such as the ones here) where they rely on their coloring to blend in with the surroundings.

However, if a predator does spot them and they are threatened, these caterpillars will extend a forked orange protuberance from just behind their heads.  It looks like a snake tongue, and emits a foul odor.   You can see the second caterpillar in the picture doing that here.

Be assured no caterpillars were harmed in taking these pictures.  I squeezed very gently (the big guy never would do it, no matter how much I poked and prodded) and then left him alone to eat away.

Caption Needed

 This is a picture of Elk Creek in Erie, PA.   In just a few weeks, this stream will be full of people.  But on this last trip, I had  it to myself.

There were lots of fish.  They fought very hard (and all were released).  The weather was beautiful.  The company was good.  A great trip!

I look kind of wasted, don't I?  I guess that's what getting up at 3AM and fishing 14 hours straight will do to you.

Anybody care to suggest a caption for this pic?

GONE FISHING

Yep, hopefully while you are reading this I am up in Erie, PA reeling in a massive steelhead!

To be continued...  :)