A little music please...
My wish for you and yours in 2012 is to have a safe place to call home and the opportunity to follow your dreams....
Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Fill in the Blank
We needed a a solution to cover the white material,Ty-vek, until we are eventually able to put a window in place.
What to do? What to do?!?
It had run across my mind to put up a German hex design . My heritage is mostly German.However, that idea didn't win out over my interest in wildlife found here at Timber Life.
This is the trail camera picture I felt simple enough for me to try to replicate or at least attempt some resemblance.
A little machine helped me to get the outline of the picture in place since I am not particularly gifted with drawing abilities.
My contribution for reassembly a top the ladder will be a support person at the bottom.
There is certainly much left to be done to get the project completed...Unseasonably warm temperatures this week should give me a chance to spend time with putting some trees in the scenery since the house is still an unheated studio.
Once finished this will be the answer to "Fill in the Blank"....
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Wild Pole Dancing Bear
Speaking of Wild...My goodness! This bear sure is Wild on two accounts. By nature and by getting into scratching that itch all UP and down.
Hope you get a laugh out of watching the video like I did....
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas to You!
I would like to share this Nativity that I found at my Mother's Retirement Community as a remembrance for the reason for this special season of Christmas...
Luke 2:15 -20
15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,which the Lord hath made known to us.
16. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Merry Christmas to you and yours from Timber Life!
15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,which the Lord hath made known to us.
16. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Merry Christmas to you and yours from Timber Life!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
2 Bucks in 2 Years
I want to congratulate my neighbor Sam Huntrods for being able to bring down two fantastic looking bucks in the last two years.
Sam uses a Remington 870 shotgun with a Nikon Prostaff Shotgun Hunter Scope to zero in on the right shot.
Sam uses a Remington 870 shotgun with a Nikon Prostaff Shotgun Hunter Scope to zero in on the right shot.
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| Sam Huntrods December 2010 - 16yrs. old The 2010 buck was a part of a large hunting group sweep from the timber here at Timber Life during the first Shotgun Season. If memory serves me the group came through between three and four in the afternoon. It was a successful day for most involved. The second buck in the background belonged to Sam's dad taken out of a family timber south of us. |
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| Sam Huntrods 2012 - 17 yrs. old This fine looking buck came out of a late afternoon hunt the second day of the first Shotgun Season,December 4th. Sam, was hunting on a smaller scale with his dad and uncle this time around. Sam shared that he worked at getting the best angle to limit his activity to one shot, because the buck had a harem of six does, he wanted to limit any extra movement and noise so he wouldn't get busted...This time he was closer into the timber for the hunt. We have had the opportunity to hunt without snow cover this year - cold days, yes, but snow in our location was conspicuously absent . I appreciate having brown ground . However, other hunters voiced their preference for snow and being able to track their kills better. My wish for Sam is that he is able to see continued success from year to year with the early start he was able to achieve. Congratulations Sam! |
Monday, December 19, 2011
A Soldier's Silent Night
We have been seeing a draw down of troops from the Middle East...There are still some yet to be called home and even some being sent to relieve others in a zone where you aren't sure of who your allies are from moment to moment.
It is with gratitude to our Troops at home and abroad that I send you Merry Christmas Greetings...
My nephew served with the Iowa National Guard 1-133rd Ironman Battalion in Afghanistan, over the 2010 Christmas Holiday. They returned July 18th, for which I would like to Thank God.
Watch More Christian Videos on GodVine.com
In the New Year we ask that prayers continue to rise up for the safety of those remaining on the field of service and a safe return to family and friends...
Merry Christmas!!!
It is with gratitude to our Troops at home and abroad that I send you Merry Christmas Greetings...
My nephew served with the Iowa National Guard 1-133rd Ironman Battalion in Afghanistan, over the 2010 Christmas Holiday. They returned July 18th, for which I would like to Thank God.
Watch More Christian Videos on GodVine.com
In the New Year we ask that prayers continue to rise up for the safety of those remaining on the field of service and a safe return to family and friends...
Merry Christmas!!!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Housecat or Bobcat?
Some days you just want to get up on a tree stump and holler,please forgive my colloquial term for "Shout" or "Exclaim" with exuberance.The latter do NOT fit my train of thought.
On my trail camera on October 5th, this year I caught the image of what I believe to be the rear half of a feline creature of sorts, during the daylight hours no less. What is vexing me,vexing a term used by a past blog posteress Dana at The Wildwoods Woman when she got disturbed, is that the picture was a one time event and not extremely clear. Low camera batteries were leading to some eradic captures about that time.
My picture has been shown to a trained Wildlife Biologist and I have shared it with a couple other people. The opinion as to specific feline varies. Others won't go as far as to say it could be a Bobcat, but I will. That possibility exists because one was caught on a trail camera north of our place less than a month ago.
The reason given by most is they feel it could be a feral cat...However, I haven't seen a spot pattern like that on a domestic/feral cat. Another reason they feel it can't be a Bobcat is because of the tail. They can't see a bob tail and it appears more bushy than that of a Bobcat .
My reason for seeing it as a larger animal than a housecat is the strong design of the rear leg caught in that one camera view.
One person even told me they thought it looked like a picture of our Miss Kitty...I just smiled and said"you think so eah?", as I shook my head.
Have you caught anything like it on your trail cameras? Does it resemble a domestic/feral cat from your point of view?
Let me hear what you think on the matter.
On my trail camera on October 5th, this year I caught the image of what I believe to be the rear half of a feline creature of sorts, during the daylight hours no less. What is vexing me,vexing a term used by a past blog posteress Dana at The Wildwoods Woman when she got disturbed, is that the picture was a one time event and not extremely clear. Low camera batteries were leading to some eradic captures about that time.
My picture has been shown to a trained Wildlife Biologist and I have shared it with a couple other people. The opinion as to specific feline varies. Others won't go as far as to say it could be a Bobcat, but I will. That possibility exists because one was caught on a trail camera north of our place less than a month ago.
The reason given by most is they feel it could be a feral cat...However, I haven't seen a spot pattern like that on a domestic/feral cat. Another reason they feel it can't be a Bobcat is because of the tail. They can't see a bob tail and it appears more bushy than that of a Bobcat .
My reason for seeing it as a larger animal than a housecat is the strong design of the rear leg caught in that one camera view.
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| My Mystery Feline? |
Have you caught anything like it on your trail cameras? Does it resemble a domestic/feral cat from your point of view?
Let me hear what you think on the matter.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Are You My Mother?
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| Miss Kitty the first time I saw her |
This past summer, specifically July 27th,as my daughter visiting from North Dakota and I were returning from a visit with her Grandma & and truck driving Uncle in Des Moines...We came across an unusual sight in the drive in front of us,across the field from Timber Life.
The little kitty seemed lost and at the time... keeping company with the big doe standing tall for her own candid moment. As we sat and watched for a while the kitty tried to get the attention of the doe. Did she want to play or was she plying the Dr. Suess story question "Are You My Mother"? I believe this little one was a member of another household and dropped off in the country for one reason or another.
She didn't even wander into the shade when the heat of the sun came around the house, bearing down oppressively on any creature touched by it's light.
I didn't have any cat food so I scrambled up some eggs with a little cheese for a couple of days.
Learning a little later that dog food could be a substitute for a short time. That I could do!
Miss Kitty is an outside cat, because we aren't prepared to have an indoor cat, not that she hasn't made an attempt to change that status.
Sadie is a guardian against feral cats, raccoons, and opossums, wanting to dine on the morsels in kitty's bowl. Sadie sits by the steps ready for a chase if something comes to push Miss Kitty aside.
Slaps without a sting, and clawing at a wood post leaving no shredding, revealed that she had been declawed.
In spite of lacking her front claws Miss Kitty is a stealthy huntress in her own right. She brought me gifts of her kills shortly after she came. I have become a trusted friend.
Not long after her arrival on one of the many walks in the yard with Sadie, Miss Kitty, joined the outing. Now, when I go to pickup the trail camera card and she gets a late start for the excursion, you can hear a mini-stampede come rustling through the dry leaves of fall until she gets to my location. I wasn't expecting her one day and Sadie was off at a distance, but still within my forward view...Turning to see what was in swift pursuit , I had to laugh, Miss Kitty was in high speed to become a part of the group.
I haven't had a cat since I was a child, way back when.My choice to put food out was more, or less, "You aren't going to die on my watch", reaction.
Now we have been adopted and Miss Kitty has put on weight, so we will see how long nature will keep us together...
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Ticks Alive!
We often think of ticks as being a scourge in the spring and summer, not so likely come the fall, especially after having some hard freezes in the neighborhood.
What we have come to realize in the last two weeks here is that ticks are a hardy sort of creature.
Sadie had found two that were in contact with her long enough to embed a couple inches from one of her ears.
I ran out of her flea and tick protection and now realize it was deflecting those little denizens through the worst of the infestation season. Thank goodness!
Not having experienced ticks this far into December I wasn't as vigilante in looking for them after our forays into the timber and pastures. It was only after petting her and feeling an unusual growth were my suspicions aroused.
Both ticks were in the larval stage of development in their life cycle when they hitched a ride. Larval and nymphs each must take a blood meal to develop to the next stage. Larval ticks, known as “seed ticks”, can be distinguished from nymphs and adults because of their small size and six legs. My reading at an Iowa State Extension publication seems to indicate this variety is the Black Legged aka Deer Tick.
It is my belief that our relatively warm temperatures have extended their reproductive capabilities - which could create bumper crops of the little blood suckers next year.
So, even if your weather has reached some extreme cold temps beware the little hitchhikers if the days return to the balmy upper thirties as it will here in central Iowa again come the weekend...In time for Iowa Shotgun Deer Season II Saturday, December 10th - Sunday, December 18th.
Sadie had found two that were in contact with her long enough to embed a couple inches from one of her ears.
I ran out of her flea and tick protection and now realize it was deflecting those little denizens through the worst of the infestation season. Thank goodness!
Not having experienced ticks this far into December I wasn't as vigilante in looking for them after our forays into the timber and pastures. It was only after petting her and feeling an unusual growth were my suspicions aroused.
It is my belief that our relatively warm temperatures have extended their reproductive capabilities - which could create bumper crops of the little blood suckers next year.
So, even if your weather has reached some extreme cold temps beware the little hitchhikers if the days return to the balmy upper thirties as it will here in central Iowa again come the weekend...In time for Iowa Shotgun Deer Season II Saturday, December 10th - Sunday, December 18th.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Five Year Blogoversary Celebration
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| Eye of the Timber caught many years ago at this time of year |
Five years ago today I wrote my first blogpost.
I started out with the blog title Walking in the Woods, but soon did a Google search and found a whole bunch of other people at that time feeling the same way I did about the great outside. In an effort to gain some individual distinction ...A bit of reflecting on a moniker to be associated with, brought me back to Timber Life repeatedly since that is the life I am blessed to live daily.
I have met some very interesting and positive people in the blogging world over the years. Check out my Blog Roll please for the first bloggers for whom I found an interest in reading when I discovered My Blog Log. A website now gone from the internet under reorganization by its provider. I do have a few others that have come and gone within those years that I continue to wonder how things are going for them...
Although my posts may have extended periods in between or don't have a rational thought to convey - sometimes I still have days where I want to sit and share some thoughts that seem particularly pressing.
Thank you to all who have stopped by for a visit!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Iowa Deer Season I
Deer Shotgun Season I opens here in Iowa today, Saturday, December 3rd, and there has been an item that keeps trying to work its way into the tangible part of my hunting paraphernalia. Sometimes we dream and scheme for a long time before we settle...again to start the process to move up in the future.
Last Saturday I decided I didn't want to go through another opener sitting in freezing rain/rain. I guess you can call me a fair weather huntress. Although, in the last 5 years I have been out in some pretty extreme cold temps with wind whipping snow - it is becoming less desirable to do so.
Our forecast for Today: Rain. High near 38. South wind 6 to 8 mph becoming northeast. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after midnight. Low around 25. North northwest wind between 6 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Shopping for an economical alternative to get out of the weather, that could hold two people comfortably, took me to The Sportsman's Guide. I decided on a Guide Gear Winds and Water 5-Hub Pop-Up Blind after considering an Ameristep G3 Blind. This G.G. blind appears that it will work fine for gun season, but I won't be able to use my Martin Jaguar Takedown Recurve bow from it during the Archery seasons.
I have some concerns about this blind since I set it up Wednesday afternoon. The top can be removed for water fowl hunting which I find to be a plus - it has velcro strips and corner straps to hold it on.
However, I am only able to get three of the four sides attached on my own. My thoughts are that if I had a second person to tug it down while the I held down the opposite side it would get secured, at this point it is unsecured leaving a space for the wind to blow the elements inside. There is another thought going through my mind...if all else fails use Duct Tape.
Another concern that became apparent when I climbed inside Thursday morning was all the visible pinholes in the interior blackout finish as well as the holes created by the window stitching.
Before I purchased anything I read of others who had experienced the same difficulties with other products and their solution. They used water repellant sprays to seal the surfaces. I decided to purchase Ambush Triple-X Ground Blind Spray , not only to create a scent eliminating covering, but to add a moisture repellant barrier.
In the future I can see maybe a different brand of ground blind tall enough to allow for my recurve bow in the future. Ultimately, I want to work for some stationary blinds because the deer trails don't change much over time here...they are passed on from generation to generation.
Today will most assuredly give me a product trial on the blind and protective spray.
Yesterday morning I sat watching the deer feeding and running by my ground blind. I only hope they will be so plentiful in about an hour and a half with the weather changes as Deer Shotgun Season I opens.
Time to be off to the blind!
Last Saturday I decided I didn't want to go through another opener sitting in freezing rain/rain. I guess you can call me a fair weather huntress. Although, in the last 5 years I have been out in some pretty extreme cold temps with wind whipping snow - it is becoming less desirable to do so.
Our forecast for Today: Rain. High near 38. South wind 6 to 8 mph becoming northeast. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after midnight. Low around 25. North northwest wind between 6 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
I have some concerns about this blind since I set it up Wednesday afternoon. The top can be removed for water fowl hunting which I find to be a plus - it has velcro strips and corner straps to hold it on.
However, I am only able to get three of the four sides attached on my own. My thoughts are that if I had a second person to tug it down while the I held down the opposite side it would get secured, at this point it is unsecured leaving a space for the wind to blow the elements inside. There is another thought going through my mind...if all else fails use Duct Tape.
Another concern that became apparent when I climbed inside Thursday morning was all the visible pinholes in the interior blackout finish as well as the holes created by the window stitching.
Before I purchased anything I read of others who had experienced the same difficulties with other products and their solution. They used water repellant sprays to seal the surfaces. I decided to purchase Ambush Triple-X Ground Blind Spray , not only to create a scent eliminating covering, but to add a moisture repellant barrier.
In the future I can see maybe a different brand of ground blind tall enough to allow for my recurve bow in the future. Ultimately, I want to work for some stationary blinds because the deer trails don't change much over time here...they are passed on from generation to generation.
Today will most assuredly give me a product trial on the blind and protective spray.
Yesterday morning I sat watching the deer feeding and running by my ground blind. I only hope they will be so plentiful in about an hour and a half with the weather changes as Deer Shotgun Season I opens.
Time to be off to the blind!