Recent trail camera photos include a strutting gobbler, strolling sandhill crane, red fox on the run, robins picking around for breakfast, the family dog, a ditch tiger on the prowl, and a cuddly fox squirrel.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Smile For the Trail Camera
Friday, April 26, 2024
Friday Music
Written, composed, and performed by Bob Dylan this song was released in 1965 on his album Bringing It All Back Home in 1965. Coincidentally, California folk rock band - The Byrds - also recorded their version of the song the same year. It has been covered by multiple artists including Melanie, Judy Collins and more.
The Byrds’ recording reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the UK Singles Chart and (along with Dylan) made Rolling Stone's list of the 500 best songs ever.
It is also on my personal Top 100 list.
Mr. Tambourine Man...
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Return Of The Timberdoodle
While out walking the dog recently she has flushed several doodle birds. They're common around here because of the remnant alder and willow thickets in the lowlands and younger reforested uplands. Nevertheless, outside of the local situation this curious bird is becoming less common every year.
The American woodcock - Scolopax minor - also known as the timberdoodle - is a ground-dwelling shoreland bird species found in young forest and shrublands. Woodcock breed across eastern North America with Wisconsin part of its western range. This migratory bird winters in lowlands from the Mid-Atlantic south to the Gulf Coast states.
Historically, woodcock were found in much
larger numbers. This was a consequence
of a landscape that included larger amounts of early successional habitat - the technical nomenclature for younger
forest. Not surprisingly those younger
forest have evolved and grown to mature forest where woodcock do not live. Fire
is suppressed and logging is in decline so the extent of younger woodland habitat continues to shrink. Urban development also destroys former
habitat and because of all of these factors the woodcock population has fallen
by about 1 percent each year since the 1960s.
Aldo Leopold’s - A Sand County Almanac - describes the courtship display
of the male Woodcock. This is one of the
true harbingers of spring around here and a delight to observe before
sun-up. From the chapter titled Sky
Dance in this excerpt.
I'm tickled to listen to the courtship ritual. It is another sure sign of the arrival of spring.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Talking Turkey
Yesterday was the last day of another Turkey season and it's looking like it's SPAM Aux Gratin for Thanksgiving dinner this year as I am turkeyless.
Saw four jakes, a lonesome hen and had three opportunities to work a gobbler only to have them each hang-up on me. Jill reminds me that this is why i is called hunting and not shopping.
I also have no recollection of actually hunting in scattered thunderstorms.
Of course, I'm old and forgetful from time to time...
Media Circus
Jon Stewart weighs in on the media’s overblown coverage of Trump’s criminal trial, from sketch-artist interviews to following his motorcade via helicopter, and how the airtime contradicts their stated goal to give him less airtime. Plus, Daily Show alum Jessica Williams surprises us with some joyful benefits of following the Trump trial story.
Lighten-up people.
This is funny.......
Optional Equipment
Choosing how to outfit the new Toyota truck you are ordering?
Ask about this.
Tailgater's best friend.....
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
April Night Sky
If you are reading this you have ample notice about this evening's full moon - called the Pink Moon.
The term ‘Pink Moon’ actually does not imply that the
moon is pink. The term derives
from the spring appearance of native ground phlox and their pink blooms
that coincides with the April full moon. The Full Pink Moon of April
rises this evening and will be at peak illumination at 6:49 PM CST.
The
April full moon is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon
and the
Fish Moon. The Algonquin people knew this as the Breaking Ice Moon
while the Dakota identify this as the When The Ducks Come Back Moon.
These native tribal themes are certainly true around here.
More here from the Old Farmer's Almanac...