Friday, September 10th
Been working on my bucket list since retiring and this week I finally visited Gettysburg National Battlefield in Pennsylvania. Very much enjoyed my time here to see the grounds and hear the history around American's most terrible conflict. Did a ghost walk too.
Did my birding and nature explorations too. Checked out the Gettysburg sites plus visiting nearby Caledonia State Park and Catoctin Mountain National Park in Maryland. Found the birding at Catoctin Mountain and Caledonia State Park disappointing. So much more was seen on the battlefield grounds.
A list of some of the birds seen at Gettysburg included Canada Geese, red-tailed Hawk, American Robin, Chimney Swifts, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Wood-pewee, Barn Swallows, American Goldfinches, Field Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows and Red-eyed Vireo.
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| A young Eastern Bluebird at the Gettysburg National Cemetery |
Caledonia State Park is about 20 minutes west from Gettysburg. The birding was slow. Basically added
Tufted Titmouse,
Carolina Chickadee and Chipping Sparrow.  |
| Common Jewelweed |
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| I've, now, stepped on the AT in six states |
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| Pearl Crescent |
Catoctin Mountain Park is located in Maryland just over the border from Pennsylvania. Didn't find many birds here.
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Used to be a lot of Moon Shining activity around Catoctin Mountain
An example of Moon Shining technology on the Blue Blazes Whiskey Still Trail |
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| View from the Blue Ridge overview at Catoctin Mountain Park |
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| Summer Azure |
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| Beefsteak Plant |
