Sightings of a world traveler: Herpin' Pensylvania for Easter

Allegheny National Forest is a large nationally managed forest bordered by Allegany State Park (yes spelled differently) and various state game lands. It is situated in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. The forest was established in 1923 and has been historically logged. Parts of the forest are protected as hiking areas, used as campground and some are still actively logged.

Allegheny National Forest

The national forest has a well-developed trail system going through lovely mixed forests.

Indian Poke (Veratrum viride)

Sharp-lobed Hepatica looks similar to Round-leaved Hepatica. Flower colour is white to light purple. The stem and leaves are evergreen and hairy. The leaves have three pointed lobes. This early blooming flower is a beautiful sign of spring.

Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Anemone acutiloba)

Carolina Spring Beauty is another symbol of spring. This small early blooming flower flower is a light pink or purple - white. The leaves are thinner than Virginia Spring beauty but otherwise it looks very similar.

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

Violets were blooming and there was Round-leaved Violet blooming on the wet slopes.

Round-leaved Violet (Viola rotundifolia)

Yellow Trout Lily is a common spring blooming under-story plant across eastern North America. It is common in Ontario and was a dominant in the under-story. As we walked down the trail and back along the same path we actually noticed some Trout Lily opening that day.

Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)

Trilliums, Wood Anemones and Twin-leaf Toothcups weren't blooming yet but their buds were ready to pop. I am sure in a few days these species would grace the travelers along that trail as well.

Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia)

The Allegheny National Forest is another great spot for salamanders and I found three species on our very short walk. Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander was a lifer for me and I was lucky enough to find a few individuals. This species has a light stripe down the back with darker spots along the middle of the light stripe. They look very similar to Eastern Redback Salamanders. I am not sure if it is diagnostic or not but they are a bit thicker and have a flattened head. The Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander lives in mountainous areas with springs, seeps and headwater streams. In Canada this species lives in Quebec and the Niagara region.