Roll Of the Dice

From last weekend - the ever-patient trail camera never takes sides and misses nothing.

My Pal Six-Deuce heading east-bound on a trail in search of a spot to ambush a whitetail.

In reasonably short-order is the local prong-horn buck moving west-bound.








None of this is surprising considering Six-Deuce's turkey-stalking skills.

This is why Jill will tell you it is hunting and not shopping.....

Friday Music

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best 
When I lay me down to die 
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky…

Written and recorded by Norman Greenbaum this single sold two million copies from 1969 to 1970 reaching number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.  

The tune is about the afterlife makes several references to Jesus although Greenbaum is Jewish.  And although some consider it a one hit wonder Spirit in the Sky has supported Greenbaum for the past four decades because it's been used in countless movies and television commercials. 

Enjoy the ear worm...

Notable Quotable

One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the damage inflicted on land is quite invisible to laymen. An ecologist must either harden his shell and make believe that the consequences of science are none of his business, or he must be the doctor who sees the marks of death in a community that believes itself well and does not want to be told otherwise.

                                        ― Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

Foxy

Meet Sciurus niger - the Eastern Fox Squirrel - the largest of the tree squirrel family although slightly smaller than the common gray squirrel. 

At first blush you might guess this to be a Red Squirrel.  However, lacking in this photo is the Red Squirrel's distinctive bright white belly and white rings around the eyes.  The rusty coloring and large bushy tail are reminiscent of a fox - implying this is a Fox Squirrel.  

The bright orange pelt of this animal and it's loud, scolding call make it an easier visual and audible identification.  Unlike the Eastern Gray Squirrel this species has a wider home range and spends more time on the ground foraging.  Just like this picture suggests....   

First Blood

From last weekend.

First hunt of the season and a good time had by all. 

Present at camp were Smokey Joe (and son), Six Deuce, Braumeister and a new addition - Best Beard.  Everyone saw deer.  Everyone got busted.  First blood has been drawn by the camp marathon hunter - Six Deuce.  Dawn to dusk hunting pays dividends with two nice does in freezer as a consequence of his persistence.

Brau

Six Deuce with nice, healthy doe

From left to right:  Beard, Deuce and yours truly

Sunset from the creek stand

 

Raising a toast to herd reduction....

Heating Season is Nigh

I want to give a big shout-out to a couple of my pals who helped to chuck and stack two cords of firewood today. 

Best Beard and Six Deuce.

The closed circuit, EPA-approved, low emission, word-burning unit is cleaned, inspected and ready to roll.  Overnight lows this weekend were down to the mid-thirties.  No frost yet and the mosquitoes were a pain in the patoot while hunting yesterday afternoon. 

Thanks guys!

Raising a toast to heating with renewables.....

Tag Team

Speaking of predators there is this...

One coyote....

Followed by another coyote....








On three separate evenings this patient trail monitor has snapped IR photos of the Wiley coyote on this trail.

Even the coyote takes the easy route.

Or perhaps they know that's where they might be better able to ambush their prey.  Particularly if you're hunting in tandem.........