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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!

Well, we made it through the Ridgeway Rendezvous, specializing in chainsaw sculpture.  It was a cold week, at first, but really cool to see so many hardy people willing to come out to the Pennsylvania Wilds in the dead of winter.  And, the chainsaw sculptors were awesome.  This photo is our Nature Quest tent, where we displayed items on our trips and workshops, where we carved walking sticks, stayed warm, etc.

Read on for more coverage!

There’s a great upcoming event in the Pennsylvania Wilds that promises to really be interesting.  Every February, in the depths of winter (and also quite a bit of snow), 25,000 people converge on Ridgeway for the annual Ridgeway Rendezvous.  This festival is hosted by Appalachian Education, Inc., featuring chainsaw sculptors from around the world.  For eight whole days, the sawdust is flying and white pine logs become works of art, often featuring the beautiful wildlife native to the area.  This year’s event is scheduled from February 21-28, with the festival culminating in an art auction on Saturday afternoon.  Throughout the week, Nature Quest has been invited to provide programming on natural history and primitive skills, as well as offer guided elk viewing, nature photography, beginner cross-country skiing, and beginner snowshoeing.

To find out more about the festival, visit their website at:  www.chainsawrendezvous.org.

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