Happy Thankful Thursday

Hello and Happy Thursday! 

This  is my last post on our Finger Lakes NY trip. The Taughannock Falls SP was our third hike on this day and the last waterfall to see. This waterfalls was located in Trumansburg not far from Ithaca New York. 


 The Taughannock Falls is the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi with a drop of 215 feet.  This was an easy flat trail to the bottom of the waterfalls.  We drove to the top to the waterfall overlook. The view of the falls from the overlook is the photo right below. 

The stream flows into the Cayuga Lake. 

The stream bed is made of limestone. 

Tall cliffs were seen along the river up to the waterfall.

"The sky is the daily bread of the eyes" Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Nature's beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude"


Taughannock Falls

While hubby was soaking (not literally)  in the waterfall,  I was watching these swallows fly around the water and tall cliffs at the waterfall.

I checked the Ebird species listed for this park and there were 3 Swallow species listed, The Bank Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and the Cliff Swallow.  I am not sure which swallow I have photos of on this post. Could it be any of the swallows I listed above?

Not sure of the swallow species below, which one?  I also had a quick glimpse of a Belted Kingfisher. 

I am very blessed, thankful, grateful for the opportunities I have had. 

I am thankful for flat easy hikes. 

I am thankful for all your visits and comments. 


Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday. 
Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday



Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!

More Finger Lakes New York

Hello and Happy Monday!


During our trip to the Finger Lakes area we visited a lot of New York State Parks, we took many hikes to see various waterfalls.  We rode past vineyards and hundreds of wineries, some were in a beautiful area with views of the lakes. 

On May 22nd, after doing the hike at the Buttermilk Falls State Park we drove to the nearby  Robert H Treman SP to see more waterfalls. We saw the Mill, Enfield Falls and the Lower Falls which was an easy walk.  Then we were off to see the 115 foot Lucifer Falls. The Gorge Trail to Lucifer was closed so we took the Rim trail to the Lucifer Falls overlook. 

This is the Robert H. Treman Falls, it has a swimming area. 

The waterfall below is close to the Mill, I believe the name of this falls is Enfield Falls. 

The Mill and adjoining home were originally built in 1839 and restored in the 1920's. 

I am guessing this is a Hermit Thrush. Please let me know if I have the wrong id.  

Below is a view of the Lucifer Falls, to the right of the falls is the Gorge Trail which was closed the day we were there.  They were having a rescue training practice.  We saw them carrying back a dummy on a stretcher.  These are strenuous hikes, I am thankful for these rescue workers.  The trees were in the way, I could not get a full shot of the Lucifer Falls. 

The wildflower Trillium was seen all along the Rim trail. 

The Thrush seemed to be more out in the open, I did hear others birds like the Ovenbird, Northern Parula , Wood Thrush and possibly the Scarlet Tanagers.

On this day we were not done hiking just yet, after leaving the Robert H Treman SP we drove to the Taughannock Falls State Park.  I will share that waterfall and hike on another post.  



Thanks for your visit today!  I hope you enjoyed my post and photos.


Thanks to Angie the host of  Mosaic Monday

Thanks to LadyFi  the host of Our World Tuesday!

Check out the links above, I hope to see you there. Thanks to the hosts today. Enjoy your day and new week.


As always I thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

Saturday's Critters #286

Welcome to Saturday's Critters!


If you love all God's creatures 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!

On the afternoon of the second day of our Finger Lakes NY trip  we drove to the Montezuma Nat'l Wildlife Refuge in Seneca Falls New York.  The wildlife refuge is located near the end of the Cayuga Lake.  We drove the 3.5 wildlife drive, seeing Purple Martins, Great Egrets, Canada Geese, Red-wing Blackbirds, Bald Eagle, Northern Shoveler duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Tern, Gadwall ducks, DC Cormorant, Song Sparrow, Mallards, unknown Sandpiper and lots of turtles.  

The Canada Geese were the most common bird seen at the wildlife refuge.  

There were a few Great Egrets in different areas of the refuge. 

I am guessing at this id, I think they are Gadwall ducks. 

We saw a few Great Blue Herons at the wildlife refuge. 

I think this is a juvenile Bald Eagle. I do not see the white head. 

Another guess at this bird, a Caspian Tern?  I appreciate any corrections on my id guesses. 

The Purple Martins were at two bird houses near the visitor center. 

The Pied-billed Grebe is a cutie. 

I really loved this Bald Eagle sculpture near the end of the wildlife drive. I think it can be seen off of Rt 90.

I appreciate and thank everyone who links up their post and for all the wonderful comments !









Here is a list of my linky parties;

Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious host: Anni.

Happy Thankful Thursday!

Happy Thankful Thursday!


On May 22nd  we started off the day with a hike at the Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca New York.  It is a Gorge trail with steps along the waterfall and gorge. We completed the loop on the Rim Trail, which was mostly a dirt trail. It was a another beautiful sky and weather day, my luck continues with good weather on our trip. 

I was happy to step out of the car and see a few Baltimore Orioles in the trees above my head.  You can see we had a pretty clear blue sky. Also included in the mosaic are a couple of Scarlet Tanager images, we saw and heard him coming down the Rim trail. 

I was happy to see this juvenile Oriole, or is it a female?  The male was nearby too. 

" The earth has music for those who listen"  William Shakespeare

The view of the Buttermilk Falls.  

The water sculpted rocks are called the Pinnacle Rock. 

The wildflower Trillium were plentiful in the forest next to the Gorge Trail. 

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" Aristotle

Besides seeing the Trillium we saw some Jack-in-the-Pulpit below.

"Loose yourself in nature and find peace" Ralph Waldo Emerson



One of the cascades or small waterfalls seen on the Gorge Trail. 

This bridge took the trail across to the Rim Trail to finish our hike back to the parking lot. 

The of the top of the Buttermilk Falls. Across the way on the hilltop I could make out a barn nestled in the trees. 

I am thankful our country has such beautiful scenic places to visit. I am always thankful for nice weather during our outings.  I am thankful for all your visits and comments. 


Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday. 
Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday



Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!

Watkins Glen State Park

Happy Monday everyone!

On the second day of our latest Finger Lakes NY trip, hubby and I hiked the trail at Watkins Glen State Park. The park brochure says there are close to 832 steps. We missed some of the steps by taking the Indian Trail which loops the trail back to the beginning. Watkins Glen is a pretty area of the Finger Lakes area of New York. 


Views of the Gorge trail, signs and steps along the way. At the Mile Point Bridge we met up with the Indian Trail which took us back to the beginning of the gorge area and parking lot. 

The Gorge trail took us up and down steps, through tunnels and behind waterfalls. Above is a suspension bridge looking down at the gorge. 

Hubby standing on the trail behind the waterfall. 

The views were beautiful along the Gorge trail, lots of ferns, moss and cascading water. 

I had to stop a bit and rest my legs, walking up these steps was a work out.  While taking a rest, I was able to listen for the birds. I heard some Ovenbirds, Scarlet Tanager, Dark-eyed Juncos and some other unknown birds.

The Dark-eyed Juncos seemed to be the most common bird at the park. 

A look at the trail and bridge ahead from one of the tunnels. 

Below is where the Rainbow Falls meet a cascades coming from another direction.  

We passed many cascades and waterfalls.

A peek at the sky from the gorge trail. 

The wildflowers we saw along the trail, some lilacs, columbine and wild azaleas. On this day, the weather was beautiful and we hiked a total of 4 miles. 

Thanks for your visit today!  I hope you enjoyed my post and photos.


Thanks to Angie the host of  Mosaic Monday

Thanks to LadyFi  the host of Our World Tuesday!

Check out the links above, I hope to see you there. Thanks to the hosts today. Enjoy your day and new week.


As always I thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

Happy Thankful Thursday

Happy Thankful Thursday!

Hubby and I enjoyed a short road trip to the Finger Lakes area of New York. Our first stop was in Montour Falls New York. Montour Falls is 238 miles and close to a 5 hour drive from home.  In Montour Falls we saw 3 named waterfalls just off the road. Seeing a waterfall after a heavy rain is actually the best time. We originally planned this trip back at the beginning of May, but they were having too much rain.  

This is the She-Que-Ga Falls, it can be found at the end of Main St in Montour Falls New York. We had perfect weather and skies during our 3 night 4 day trip. 

There is a small park area in front of the waterfalls with some benches for enjoying the view. 

The She-Que-Ga Falls almost looks like it is going into the back of the town hall in Montour Falls NY. The scene below is used at the beginning of the Hallmark Mystery Movie Series called Aurora Teagarden. 

I am not sure the id on this duckling. It was seen alone in the pool of the bottom of the waterfalls. 

Aunt Sarah's Falls right on Route 14 in Montour Falls. 

This is Hector Falls found on Rt 414 not far from Watkins Glen and Seneca Lake. 

A view of the sky and Seneca Lake,  Watkins Glen NY. The Finger Lakes area is named for it's series of long thin lakes and lots of vineyards. We visited parks and waterfalls around these lakes, Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake and Keuka Lake. 

We spent 3 nights at a hotel at the top of Keuka Lake. This was the view from our hotel. 

I am thankful for good weather on our trips.
I am thankful to be healthy for long hikes.
I am thankful for all your visits and comments. 


Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday. 
Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday



Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!