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Talk about something that doesn't happen every day!  It's stunningly beautiful, here's some pictures of this rare event:

Talk about something that doesn't happen every day!  It's stunningly beautiful, here's some pictures of this rare event:

This year elk treks have been great. We have seen a lot of elk and elk activity. It was interesting to watch how the interaction changed as we entered the elk rut time of year. Leaves are changing, bull elk are bugling and gathering their harem of cows, bulls fighting each other to establish dominance… it’s is all very cool to watch.

What is your favorite elk experience? Never had one? Well, you definitely need to come along and let us give you one.

Mine was watching 2 massive bulls protecting their cows from the other surrounding 8 bulls by charging and bugling at them. What was really awesome, was when they accidentally stood head to head. The bigger one bugled and the other followed in bugle, then the bigger bull turned and charged head on into the other. Cracked antlers for just a few seconds, the smaller one backed down and the huge bull went to claim his trophy. We watched all that action just 30 yards away. You can watch it here:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=103797616300439. That was my favorite experience but it is hard to choose. I have had so many.

- Brett Martin, Nature Quest Guide

Here is a recent picture of an eagle on nest taken by one of our guides, Brett Martin:

Congratulation to Cheryl Kaclik for her winning entry to our spring photo contest.  Her shot of the sunrise on the first day of spring was the top choice, followed closely by the crocus photo submitted by Kim Reese and the sprouting plants submitted by Celeste Waclawik.  Thank you to everyone who entered!

Thanks to everyone who braved the cold and turned out to make Quest Fest a success.  We had so much fun meeting everyone and learning from the exhibitors.  Ed Wentzler of Lost Arts Trade Company showed us how to start a fire with a fire bow and we all had lots of fun throwing knives and tomahawks.  Doug Firestone from Firestone Forge showed us blacksmithing techniques and demonstrated muzzleloaders.  Deb Shildt from Handmade in the Hills brought her gorgeous yarns and setup her spinning wheel to demonstrate her craft.  Liz Berkowitz from Wild Asaph Outfitters taught winter camping skills and snowshoeing - and many of our guests got to strap on snowshoes or skis and try it firsthand.  Bill May and Bruce Dart took hikes out and Bill amazed us all with his delicious campfire cooking.  Jim Mucci taught us about coyotes and bobcats.  Bill and Bob the draft horses were here to pull the sleigh and some of our riding horses we around for trail rides.  Our elk trek on Sunday was a lot of fun, pictures of the elk are below.

Quest Fest Spring is planned for May 15-16, 2009 - hope to see everyone there!

I’ll always remember this ride as being on one of the coldest days I can ever remember enduring. Yet, dressed for the weather, everyone had a great time. Like I’ve written before, there is no best time to ride. The woods this day proved to be just as beautiful as ever. We tromped through virgin snow surrounded by wandering deer tracks and watched the snow fall from the evergreens as the breeze passed by.

Thanks to our group for being so great. It was a memorable ride.

-Rachel Booz

Working at a place like Nature Quest /Mountain Trail Horse Center and living in Tioga County you expect to see wildlife out there somewhere… on top of the mountain, or in the bottom of the canyon… someplace adventurous.  I have discovered that quite a variety of wildlife can be seen in around the yard at the Mountain Trail Cottage.   This is our vacation cottage located a few miles north of Wellsboro.  I have to quickly notice these critters while working.  Anyone who stays at the cottage may have time to closely observe them.  

I first noticed the birds.  This spring I discovered a Carolina Wren nesting in the corner of our enclosed back porch.  The bird would land in the bush just outside the kitchen window before bringing food into the nest.   Latter the Phoebes nested on the opposite end of the same porch.  I didn’t notice the nest until the young were half grown. They weren’t creating a mess in the entryway so I let them be.   One day I heard quite a clatter and looked out to see the adult birds chasing off a chipmunk that had attempted to raid the nest.   While trimming bushes, I discovered that sparrows or something had built a nest in a bush out front.  It’s not unusual to see robins feeding in the back yard.  One afternoon Jill and I scared a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker that had been feeding on a tree in the side yard.   On a hot summer day Buzzards were in the pasture feeding on disgusting treat that only they would appreciate.  Twice I have stopped and waited for four or five Turkeys to cross the lane that leads to the cottage.   Bluebirds sometimes feed in the bushes along the same lane.  Late this fall I flushed a Pileated Woodpecker that was busily tearing apart a mostly rotten stump at the edge of the yard.  It was probably hoping to dine on insects living in the rotten wood. 

When the birds are absent, there are always furry critters to entertain you.  Both Gray and Red Squirrels live in the woods bordering the cottage and make visits into our lawn.  When I flushed the wood pecker, I also sent a Gray squirrel that had been feeding nearby scurrying for cover.  This fall, the Red Squirrel constantly left piles of pine cone remnants on the hot tub steps or on the cover.  I wondered if he was entertained watching me sweep away his mess.  The Chipmunk also frequents the area near the hot tub. Cottontail Rabbits feed in the lawn out back.   One day I surprised a young woodchuck that proceeded to tightly flatten itself against the grass in a failed attempt to avoid discovery.   You would be surprised how small they can make themselves look.    At night, you may see Little Brown Bats flying about catching dinner on the wing.  I believe they roost nearby.   Another day, I discovered a Raccoon trying to raid a garbage bag that I hadn’t had opportunity to retrieve.   A note of caution here: Please don’t feed any wild animals around the cottage.  Some animals may carry harmful diseases.  Feeding also teaches animals to depend on people for food and may cause problems for future guests or our staff.    

Those of you who are more adventurous can entertain yourselves looking for the insects, spiders, reptiles, and amphibians that occasionally show themselves.  This spring I found myself dodging a frog that seemed to always be in the path of the mower.  Later young toads were hopping about the yard, doing their best to interrupt the lawn mowing.   A couple of times, I have seen a Garter Snake glide a across the yard.  Don’t worry they are not poisonous, give them space and they’ll soon crawl out of your path.  These snakes eat insects and mice that would otherwise overwhelm the area.   One day I saw two jumping spiders in a showdown on the hot tub cover.  One would advance and then jump back.  The other spider would move ahead a couple of steps and they would do it again.   Somewhat more interesting was the day the Daddy Long Legs or Harvestman (it goes by both names) fell out the bush I was working under and landed on my nose.   Not being the “scream and freak” type I brushed it away before I realized what it was.   Bees and butterflies flit about feeding on whatever flowers are blossoming. 

Those of you who prefer things that don’t crawl can entertain yourselves identifying the flowers and trees that grow in and around the Mountain Trail Cottage yard.  Crabapple, Aspen, White Pine, Maple and an Elm variety are all nearby.  A number of bushes and brambles, such as Alternate Leaf Dogwood and Blackberry, grow around the edge of the yard.  Spring and midsummer wildflowers brighten the area.  We have Dames Rockets, Dandelions, Daisies, Black Eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s lace, and Yarrow to name a few.

-Lisa Sumner

We had a beauty of storm last night and it left behind several inches of gorgeous snow cover!  I got a few pictures to share, these are out back of the Coach Stop Inn.  Come on up and play in our winter wonderland!