Hendrickson Marsh Rejuvenation

Posted on April 30, 2010 by CDGardens
Several years ago a marsh in our neighborhood got a new lease on life. The choice was made to drain it, remove the fish that had caused it to become less desirable for the waterfowl on their migratory trips and allow the vegetation to gain a stronghold once again.

The aged sign shows a bit of public disrepect.



A great new visitors parking area has been created to give people a place to pull off the blacktop to sit and watch the now abundant bird activity for several months out of the Spring and Fall. A new boat ramp was built over on the other side.

The past picture, during the early stages of rejuvenation, clearly allows us to see the vegetation beginning to get a strong foundation before being flooded. The present picture, allows us to see what a pretty area has been developed for our feathered friends.

On one of my visits to this particular Marsh I stirred the winged visitors to a location a short distance away...just inside some plant growth extending above the waters surface.  I could go on but I think you get the picture. ;)

Happy Timber Life Sounds

Posted by on April 29, 2010 by CDGardens


Being out and about looking for the unusual Raptor that stopped by Timber Life recently, I decided to catch the morning sounds that had been giving me a treat as I work in my garden, trying to get it back in working order.

The video skill isn't super but will bring back memories for a peaceful retreat come the dead of next winter, when I need a boost into the new season once again. ;)

North Dakota Oil Field

Early morning has arrived at Oil Rig 23 located in Stanley, North Dakota. The morning shift  reported at 5:30 A.M. to start their day.

Son-in-law Justin has taken a job with a company called Bronco Drilling. His first assignment is on rig 23...

In the words of his wife," He is a floor hand, which is a grunt that helps where needed.

Tuesday, he was scrubbing buildings, helping rebuild motors, and working chains.

He works 7 days on and 7 days off. Justin stays at a catered camp with everything being provided for free."

 Stanley, North Dakota, is about 45 miles West of Minot, and has become a very active area for oil drilling developments since 2007. They are presently hiring new recruits to fill the vacancies.

Justin's cell phone self-portrait to let us all know his job isn't going to be one of working in a spotless environment. Oh the joy of laundry when he goes home!

The Rig Crew is able to request the types of food provided for their daily requirements. Quite a perk for these busy guys.















The work day ended at 6:00 P.M. and a new perspective of the oil derrick was visualized as the shadows at the other end of the day were starting to get long... :)



Thanks Justin... Great pictures from your phone!

Letter from the desk of Ray Scott - The Whitetail Institute of North America

I would like to send this out to all the hunters that visit my site. Maybe you have heard of TalkHunting.com ,  but if you haven't, an introduction by one of the companies I frequent has caught my attention, and I wanted to pass along the information .

It appears there is presently some outdoor product suppliers that are donating items to this  family oriented hunting website for monthly drawings.

Please read further to find out what products could  possibly become apart of your must haves simply by registering to become a member if you aren't already. Thanks for taking a look! ;)

Direct from the desk of Ray Scott
...
From:
Ray Scott - The Whitetail Institute of North America
...
 
Dear Fellow Hunters,

I'm writing to let you know about a website a friend of mine started called TalkHunting.com. This site is a lot like a real hunting camp. It's a great place for the whole family to talk about hunting and learn from each other in a clean, fun & family friendly atmosphere. And best of all, it's free!

There are lots of hunting-related sites on the web. I have decided to help get TalkHunting.com more recognition, though, for one main reason: I believe in what they're doing. It is designed to be educational and fun for hunters of all ages. And, it does it in a family atmosphere - foul language and other inappropriate things are not allowed at any time. In a nutshell, TalkHunting.com is a place where the whole family can learn about hunting, take advantage of all the tips and tactics used by hunters across the country, and most important - have fun together.

I mentioned that I have decided to help TalkHunting.com get more recognition because I believe in what they're doing. That's why my company, The Whitetail Institute, and other industry leading companies such as Hunter Safety Systems, Dead Down Wind, American Broadhead Company, Kolpin Powersports, Peep Eliminator, Bowie Outfitters, The Placita Ranch and many, many others, are donating products for them to give away free every month! To be eligible for free products, all you have to do is register at Talkhunting.com. That's all!


See you at TalkHunting.com

Sincerely,

Ray Scott
President, Whitetail Institute

_____________________________________________________________________

Thanks Ray!

To make this announcement even more exciting, we are going to allow everyone that responds to this email, and who is not already a member of TalkHunting, to enter into a drawing for some great prizes, even you decide not to register at TalkHunting.com. However, if you do register, we will add your name into the drawing FOUR times as a thank you for registering!

How to enter…

Simply visit http://www.talkhuntin.com/index.php?topic=17050.0 or click here and follow the instructions there.

Thanks for taking the time to look at this!



Your friend in the outdoors...

Robert "Hunt Master" Householder

_____________________________________________________________________

The Jokes on Her

I love this! A friend of Hubby's sent this to him. Then I stopped by YouTube ....I had to laugh!

Remind you of anyone? ;)

Serene Setting

Iowa highway 330 went from two to four lane several years back. This marsh was one among several created during road construction. Increasing the number and quality of water bodies for our feathered friends has certainly helped them to stay around longer locally.

I usually pass by this marsh once a week and say to myself - "Now why didn't you bring the camera?" Well,today was the day,there are always birds of interest in or around the water. The weather was fantastic! So, I stopped to catch some varied waterfowl species.

I am not an expert in waterfowl identification. I have tried to locate information on a couple of the birds seen bobbing in the water,but at this writing I am unable to name them. My lack of foresight in bringing binoculars has left me without sharp definition of the two sitting mid-picture. I assume one is a male duck because of his bright colors. The other partially covered by upright vegetation, appears to be in the duck family, sitting on a nest?

This little goose was sitting away from the more populated island, in the company of a Red-Winged Blackbird, who was also enjoying the wetland experience.

It was interesting that for the most part life went on while I was there...My presence wasn't that disturbing. I suppose with cars and trucks going by at all hours they have developed a tolerance for outside stimulus.

I plan to keep an eye on things to see if baby ducks and goslings will become an addition to this serene setting in the future. ;)

Deer Generations

Posted April 7 ,2010 by CDGardens


My deer picture collection continues to expand.

Last year, I did a small study of deer home ranges, because of some behaviors that became apparent to me having seen it repeated over many years.

One reason I have made an effort to take pictures is to use the images to follow from year to year the passing along of some traits...Making me wonder if it could be the animal I caught years before that exists in my digital archive when they were just a fawn.

The picture above is a family group I observed frequently in my backyard the summer of 2007. It consisted of a mature doe to the left, her twins, and I believe the daughter from the previous year nuzzling with the little red buck.

Taking a picture November 3rd,2009, of the buck below, because of his unique coloration, brought back memories of the "KoffeeKlatch" and the question - "Is this the little buck whose family raided my Cosmos?"

What a handsome creature he has developed into if in fact he is one and the same. Others have seen him and commented on his color too. My hope is he survived the winter so I might see him once again. ;)

Blessed Easter

Blessed Easter to everyone!

We all have different reasons why today is special...

The reason that Easter is a special Celebration for me is because it brings to remembrance what God has done in order for us to become a part of his Heavenly Family when our earthly bodies become to tired or sick to carry-on.

According to the scriptures today is the third day from his crucifixion...The day he arose after triumphing over Sin,and the Grave.

I found one of my favorite movies and a song by two vocal artists that I have enjoyed for years put together in one production. Following is an excerpt from the Franco Zeffirelli production of "Jesus of Nazareth" with the angelic voices of Larnelle Harris and Sandi Patti in duet singing "I've Just Seen Jesus".






Lyrics to I've Just Seen Jesus :
We knew he was dead
It is finished, he said
We had watched as his life ebbed away
Then we all stood around
Till the guards took him down
Joseph begged for his body that day

It was late afternoon
When we got to the tomb
Wrapped his body and sealed up the grave
So i know how you feel
His death was so real
But please listen and hear what i say

I've just seen Jesus
I tell you he's alive
I've just seen Jesus
Our precious Lord alive
And i knew, he really saw me too
As if till now, i'd never lived
All that i'd done before
Won't matter anymore
I've just seen Jesus
And i'll never be the same again

It was his voice she first heard
Those kind gentle words
Asking what was her reason for tears
And i sobbed in despair
My Lord is not there
He said, child! it is i, i am here!

I've just seen Jesus
I tell you he's alive
I've just seen Jesus
Our precious lord alive
And i knew, he really saw me too
As if till now, i'd never lived
All that i'd done before
Won't matter anymore
I've just seen Jesus
I've just seen Jesus
I've just seen Jesus
All that i'd done before
Won't matter anymore
I've just seen jesus
And i'll never be the same again
I've just seen Jesus!


This video has touched my heart I hope you enjoy it too... Blessed Easter! ;)