The Gift

Climbed into a tree stand a few days ago to see if anything was moving about.

Mostly what was moving about was mosquitoes.  Swarms of them.  Thank goodness for the ThermaCell I had clipped to my fanny pack.  It pretty much chased the biting bugs away.

I didn't see anything but I did spook a deer when I did a couple of come-hither soft grunt calls.

All was not lost however.

I did find this gift awaiting me as I climbed into the stand...

 click on the turd to enlarge

BLT

Winding down the garden.  All the tomato plants were pulled last weekend so the supply of ripe, red fruits is dwindling.  And fast.

Eating tomatoes just about twice a day.  And BLTs several times a week.

Check this out.  toasted whole wheat breat from Scaturo's Bakery in Sturgeon Bay.  Locally-sourced smoked bacon from Marchant's in Brussels.  Organically-raised tomatoes from the garden.  Yum!

click on image to enlarge

  
 

Longbreards

It's not just hens getting all of the trail camera action.

The gobblers are moving about rather regularly too.

Check out these longbeards... 

 

Birds of a Feather

...flock together.

I have to say I've no recollection of getting a series of pictures like this.

click on images to enlarge

A flock of wild turkeys just hanging out in front of the trail camera.  Including one that's making herself quite comfortable. 

Masked Bandit

Low-life predator of my nest boxes.

Time to bait the trap and send a few to racoon Valhalla...

Turkeys on the March

It has been quite awhile since I have spied so many turkeys.  They're also showing-up regularly on the trail cameras in multiple locations.

Hens spread out over an hour.  Strutting their stuff...

 

Fall Colors

The first frosts of autumn has yet to arrive.

Nevertheless the trees are beginning to turn on their fall color scheme.

The oaks in particular...

Swamp white oak

White oak