An EPIC Wildlife Encounter on the Appalachian Trail!

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.พ. 2025
  • In this video, I experience an epic wildlife encounter with a Barred Owl! Then I pick up my dog and enjoy a weekend together with her. Thanks for watching this series of my time as an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner in Shenandoah National Park!
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ความคิดเห็น • 83

  • @WeAre_BetterTogether
    @WeAre_BetterTogether 19 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Barred owls are my favorite, hands down! Another cool bird - a night jar I heard last year on a backpacking trip is a Chuck-Wills-Widow, such a cool call they have!

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  18 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      I’ll have to add that to my bird watching list, thanks for the tip! 😎

  • @HikerChick11
    @HikerChick11 18 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I love the AT

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  18 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Me too! 💛

  • @williambranham6249
    @williambranham6249 20 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    An owl is one of the coolest things you can see on the trail. I have also seen them on my deck.

  • @Djhikes63
    @Djhikes63 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Wow! Amazing!!

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thank you so much! Really appreciate you watching! 💛

  • @tylerparnell5887
    @tylerparnell5887 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Everything about this video ❤ 10/10 beautiful 🤩

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  20 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Wow! Thank you so much, Tyler!
      So glad you’re here 💛

    • @tylerparnell5887
      @tylerparnell5887 20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @ keep up the good work! Thanks for sharing the beautiful trail and animals with us.

  • @dan393
    @dan393 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    Hi Miss Kara! The owl was so cool! Thank you! Stay safe and god bless

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Thank you so much, Dan! I loved seeing that owl! One of the best days of my life 🤣🤣

    • @beckyleheny8636
      @beckyleheny8636 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Hi Dan!😊hope you're well.

    • @dan393
      @dan393 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@beckyleheny8636 Hope you are well also!

  • @cherylbarns-y4m
    @cherylbarns-y4m 20 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Absolutely magical moment. Appreciate the work you do for picking up after the hikers too lazy to pick up their own trash

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thank you so much, Cheryl!
      So glad you’re here 💛

  • @cherylbarns-y4m
    @cherylbarns-y4m 20 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Beautiful hiking buddy!!!!

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Aw, thank you! It was a really cool day on the trail.

  • @jaytt4639
    @jaytt4639 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    If you have the Google app, you can take pictures then use the picture search feature to identify the plant, etc.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      That’s a great tip, I’ll check it out! 💛

  • @sunobo5103
    @sunobo5103 17 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    That foam is most likely from stemflow mixing. It can happen after a dry period followed by a heavy rain.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  13 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Wow, thanks for sharing that information! It's super interesting!

  • @solonutiket564
    @solonutiket564 15 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Flash, You are pretty safe, because of the trees. Lightning will not strike in a line from the top of the trees with a 45 degree angle to the ground. You are in safe in that area, but not next to the tree. Of course it can strike the tree. We never stay on top of a ridge under any circumstances. We move down to a lower position. Owls are so neat. I was kayaking down a river and there was one sleeping on a limb overhanging the river. It was only about 3' above the water. As I approached it was looking the other way, and I didn't realize it was sleeping until I got on the other side. Took a picture. He never woke up.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  13 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thanks for sharing your knowledge, so helpful! ⚡️

  • @Wolfmanhikes
    @Wolfmanhikes 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Magical moment with that owl. One of the reasons we hike the AT.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Such a cool experience! Yes, it really is!
      Hope you are doing well 🙂

  • @harolddenton6031
    @harolddenton6031 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Over this past year while driving my truck on logging roads i have had 3 separate owl encounters with them flying down infront of my truck. Those were some amazing magical mommets.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Oh my gosh, that’s so cool!
      Owls are amazing! 🦉

    • @Kari-bb3rm
      @Kari-bb3rm 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Cool!
      I once saw a horned owl flying through the trees at Clifty Falls in Indiana...

  • @Tammyfrom1972
    @Tammyfrom1972 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Beautiful dog and lovely owl....☺

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      Thank you! They were both very special! 💛

  • @ericmcclain9887
    @ericmcclain9887 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Oh hey! It's your Gooch Gap shelter buddies Hopeful and Bumble here. It's so cool to see you made it as a ridge runner like you planned! Hope you're doing well.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Oh my gosh HI! 👋🏽 it’s so fun to see you on here! Full circle moment! :) Thanks so much for watching, maybe I’ll see you out there again one day?!

  • @adventuresofpineappleshort4600
    @adventuresofpineappleshort4600 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Loved this!

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thank you so much! Really appreciate you watching! 💛

  • @markviers998
    @markviers998 20 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I've always wondered what's going through a dog's mind when they are hanging out the windows while the car is going down the road, that has to be some kind of sensory overload but they sure do seem to enjoy it. Very cool catch on the owl!

  • @stanthemanhikes2965
    @stanthemanhikes2965 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Loved the owl Kara. Truly a special encounter!!

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thanks so much for watching, Stan! Was so fun getting this on video 🦉

  • @karenfarrell3961
    @karenfarrell3961 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    The bird song was ethereal…enjoying your ridge-runner perspective. I’m doing the AT Feb 2025 and appreciate so much more what the runners do for the trail. Thank you for sharing 🌻

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I love the sounds of the birds on the trail too! I recently heard the phrase “the dawn chorus”- it was already one of my favorite things so it was so fun to hear a name for it. Good luck on your AT thru-hike! Maybe I’ll see you out there 🥾

  • @OldSoulPammy
    @OldSoulPammy 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Very cool 🦉🦌🦮😍.
    ☮️❤️😎

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Thank you so much!! 🦉🐶

  • @Woodthrush
    @Woodthrush 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Loved the Owls, flowers and sunset! Your pup is a sweetie. ❤ Happy Trails! 🌄

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thank you so much! The trail is full of amazing encounters, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🌄

  • @Elizabeth-pt4bv
    @Elizabeth-pt4bv 20 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    The Owl was so beautiful. Are you doing the trail again in 2025? It seems to.fit you well
    Thanks for sharing

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  13 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Thanks so much, Elizabeth! I'll be back out as a Ridgerunner in Georgia in 2025!

    • @Elizabeth-pt4bv
      @Elizabeth-pt4bv 13 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @KaraKirtley yeah. Just watched the Q&A video. Can't wait for more trail videos. You do such a great job. Thanks for sharing.

  • @margaretleehightower3073
    @margaretleehightower3073 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Just found you love your videos and your story 💜🫶💜 Those ferns in that stage are called fiddleheads technical name 😂😂in some places they are are a delicacy fried when they come out in the Spring. Myself I’d rather looke at how marvelous they are…..😊

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Oh my gosh- yes! I remember people eating them on trail in ‘21, but I’ve never had one. Maybe one day! Thanks so much for your kind words 💛. I’m so glad you’re here!

    • @margaretleehightower3073
      @margaretleehightower3073 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @ 🫶💜🫶

  • @danielkutcher5704
    @danielkutcher5704 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    4:48 Reminds me of the oak in Bly Gap coming up out of Georgia into NC. The Bly oak is reportedly one of the most photographed trees in the world.
    Your videos are both fun and well edited, with the effect of drawing people into the beauty of the AT.

  • @Countrygirlgirt
    @Countrygirlgirt 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    What a gift from God to see the Owl. I almost cried.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Oh my gosh, me too!! Seriously one of the most magical moments I’ve ever experienced! 🦉

  • @KrizAkoni
    @KrizAkoni 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Great shots of that! 🤗

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Thank you! I was so excited to get that footage!

  • @gypsygirlhikes
    @gypsygirlhikes 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Kara, I sent you a PM concerning the FB post you made about needing a tent. I wasn't sure if you saw it, so I thought I'd comment here. Stay safe out there!!

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Oooh thanks so much for the message! I will check them! 💛

    • @gypsygirlhikes
      @gypsygirlhikes 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @KaraKirtley you're welcome!

  • @David-n7w9f
    @David-n7w9f 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Good vid Kara.Owls are so cool.Keep your eyes open for pileated woodpeckers. They are very impressive. Ill bet you could hand feed those deer. This is a great series. Peace

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thanks for watching! I actually saw a pileated woodpecker- so cool! Did not get in on camera, sadly. It’s amazing how close the deer get to humans!

  • @Countrygirlgirt
    @Countrygirlgirt 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Kara,
    Have you seen any bears yet! Is this a job? if so how cool.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Hey there Courtney! Thanks for watching! I think I saw three bears total, not including the sneaky one I didn’t see who tore up my tent 🤣.

  • @michelleange-i7v
    @michelleange-i7v 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Hey I'm so sorry I'm new here but this looks amazing I'm so happy for you what part of the trailer are you on it looks amazing for this time of the year I'm actually been watching people walk the trail for almost 10 years now and that nobos are dealing with snow all the trees have no leaves I was just wondering what state you're in. so cool

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      That’s so cool! Welcome and thank you for watching. So glad you’re here! These vids are from May, I have a hard time editing and uploading when on trail so I do it later! 💛

  • @glendacrouch1877
    @glendacrouch1877 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Such a cool life for you now!

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thank you!! I love it!! 💛

  • @kbc1883
    @kbc1883 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    When were these videos shot? This is not in real time, the present, I suspect based on the weather and the flora.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      This was shot back in the spring! Early May, I usually date them at the beginning but ran out of time with editing this one. Thanks so much for watching 💛

    • @beckyleheny8636
      @beckyleheny8636 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Hi Kara!!!
      The owl was fantastic! I have never seen one in the wild! Heard them but did not see them. I love seeing you out on the trail. How is your weather???? Did you get snow/ice???

  • @justjonoutdoors
    @justjonoutdoors 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Those ferns look like fractals - the first time I experienced that was in Scotland - they had some variant of a pine tree that at a distance appeared to be fractals. Really messed with the eyes!

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      That is so cool! It's amazing how nature can create such intricate patterns. I’ll have to look up fractals- thank you for telling me about them!

    • @justjonoutdoors
      @justjonoutdoors 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@KaraKirtley It’s a mathematical rendering of infinitely self-contained patterns. Really messes with the eyes! Where was that boardwalk? I’ve been in and out of the Shenny’s a few times and I’ve never seen that.

  • @andreavin3674
    @andreavin3674 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I hope you are getting enough R and R. Thanks for another video! You are getting views girl.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  13 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thank you so much for your kindness, Andrea! So grateful you're here 💛

  • @dorlajacobson3077
    @dorlajacobson3077 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Please forgive me for being critical ...as a nature girl, I would have enjoyed viewing the owl without the 'non-nature' music. Cool experience for you!

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Feedback noted! Thank you 🙏🏽
      I’m trying to find a good balance between music and letting nature sounds take focus.
      Glad you’re here! 💛

  • @Hiker89-kp5sy
    @Hiker89-kp5sy 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I feel so sorry for your dog that you still have not put any effort in training her in regards to pulling on the leash and still choosing the easy way of one of those terrible non pull halters. They only bring your dog discomfort and pain.....
    Such a shame to see that.

    • @LynnStAubin-od5qe
      @LynnStAubin-od5qe 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Really? If pulling was causing her dog discomfort, wouldn’t it stop pulling?

    • @Hiker89-kp5sy
      @Hiker89-kp5sy 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @LynnStAubin-od5qe it's not the pulling that brings discomfort, but the halter she is wearing. Instead of training Kara chooses to discomfort her dog. In return the dog decides not to pull anymore. When she doesn't the discomfort of the halter goes away. That way it does look like the dog is not pulling anymore, but considered how that comes.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thanks for the feedback! I work on training all the time with my pup :) She’s really good on trail with commands, but can get overly excited/stimulated at times so I use the gentle leader. It’s safer for both of us and doesn’t hurt her to wear it!

  • @williambranham6249
    @williambranham6249 20 วันที่ผ่านมา

    An owl is one of the coolest things you can see on the trail. I have also seen them on my deck.

    • @KaraKirtley
      @KaraKirtley  20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      They are so magical, aren’t they?! 🦉 ✨
      That’s so cool you see them from your deck!