Sadie Says "Meeting the family!"

It all started Friday night, a little before midnight. Somebody was walking into my house that I had not had the opportunity to meet yet. Woke my Mom up with my barking to make sure all was as it was supposed to be. My Dad had left earlier in the day to go to an antique airplane fly-in for the weekend...So, it wasn't him coming in. My youngest two legged sister was bringing my 2 canine nieces and nephew to visit. The humans had plans for a family picture on Sunday. This is the first time since leaving my mom and family in South Dakota that I have been in a doggy group. I really didn't know how to fit in for a bit. Getting nipped a couple of times by the two old ladies gave me a complex...Sorry it took me almost until the time they left to feel like I belonged to "The Pack." Cesar Milan, "The Dog Whisperer", would be proud of us! ;) Followed the group out for a play time in the puddles before they had to get back in the car for the long ride home on Monday morning. I was at a loss when they were gone. Kept checking the room where they stayed while they were here,and went outside to look around where we played. Had a lot of fun being apart of their group.

Guess I will have to get in the car one of these days with Mom and Dad to go visit...

Turkey Times

What a nice start to the Spring Turkey Hunt! This turkey family - Hen and 4 chicks have been constant citizens in the backyard. They travel just outside the line of tall foilage to scratch. The Hen is teaching her babies to forage for food. They all know how to fly for the tree tops as was shown one day after Sadie and I had stirred them out of hiding in the pasture. The first response was a gallop out of the high grass, lifting off to glide gracefully skyward ,only to stop at the tree tops.

Having a few more rounds to make in our walk, we had the opportunity to stop and watch the Hen gathering her chicks from the perches they had risen to a short time before. Barely visible due to the ground cover, she only vocalized at brief intervals, to call the kids back to her side.

This afternoon ,we found this little family, tucked not so silently by the back of the garden. Gliding out of range into the tangle of the timber as we startled them from their hiding place...

Buck Fever

Well folks it has begun! Buck fever is starting here at Timber Life. This guy has been hanging around in the close neighborhood. The same buck I believe I saw with the doe a week ago, in the west pasture. From my vantage point I saw eight points. Got this picture with my Hubby's camera. I had taken my camera with me in the car, and it didn't make it back into the house, because of plans for today. The attempt to go behind the house, to my car in the drive, at the side was almost successful. Freezing in my tracks didn't help this time . He swiftly exited once he got anxious. Checking back in the archives here, I wrote about "Sparring Whitetail Bucks", on October 16,2007 . Wonder if this buck happened to be apart of that bunch? Needless to say , once again that internal - primal awakening is raising the awareness of that rustling sound coming through the brush... ;)

Cloud Tales

The above picture of a curious cloud formation was seen hanging over our west pasture before sunset one evening.We had a night filled with some severe weather in central Iowa, on the evening of August 14th. Here at home we just had lots of clouds, some swift breezes,and eventually some rain. Hubby's Experimental Aircraft Association's monthly meeting was interrupted by a sighted tornado over the city of Marshalltown. It stayed parallel to the clouds,but was visibly rotating. This summer has brought some really pretty evening clouds...or maybe I have seen more of them,because of my increased encouragement to be outside. The clouds in the picture below changed constantly. As did the way the shadows developed as the sun passed from top to bottom as it finally dropped below the horizon. Created a sense of peace and beauty as it slipped silently out of view... ;)

Geese In The Mist

Before 9:00 A.M. today - Sadie and I were given a concert by at least 4 different V's of Canadian Geese flying around treetop looking for a place to set down. The August fog started building around 11:00 last night. The moon made the gradual development over the bean field to above the treetops rather ethereal. The first V came last week on August 6th, a group of approximately 20, flew low over the end of the drive a half mile to the west of the house. Beginning to make me wonder if they are getting started on their way south ,because winter is going to be early this year??? ;)

Sadie Says

My post today is going to cover a product review. Recently, I have been wanting to be the leader of my little pack when we are out on my leash. I kept getting short of breath and my Mom was always sitting me down every few feet. She was continually trying to get my attention. Telling me how much better it would be for all of us if I would just "Slow Down!" I don't know how many of my fellow canines would be interested, but my Mom has found a different type of apparatus that she attaches my leash to under my chin. The "Gentle Leader Headcollar" is what it is called, made by the Premier company. It fits snugly around my head and a piece of the lead goes over my mouth. It sure has made a difference in how I hear Mom now. Looking forward to rambling further than our immediate surroundings. ;)

Mystery To Solve?

Sadie and I made a late night trip outside before bed last night. Heard some crunching footsteps in the timber closest to the front yard...What could it be? The mind sure does jump to conclusions when you can't visualize the noise maker. On the first 1/8th mile of the drive from the house, this morning I recorded in picture the possible culprit's paw prints and scat. The second day of scat sighting in the same area. Earlier in the evening, on a walk we heard vocalizations that would be exchanged from a mother to her pups.Yes, I am pretty sure the coyote family is exploring their territory. Sure do wish they would catch some rabbit,a ground hog, ground squirrels,a red squirrel,or two...;) (Circled are some coyote puppy prints impressed into the mud)

Off To Oshkosh

Hubby is presently en route on a long awaited flight. Today, a little before 1:00 P.M., the weather improved to a point where he felt comfortable enough to begin the first leg of his journey to the Experimental Aircraft Associations mecca at Oshkosh,WI. A trip northeast to Marshalltown to meet up with a flying partner would determine if they would continue onward. Next stop Manchester,IA.,to Platteville,WI. Then a couple more stops possibly before getting into the flight pattern for ultra-lights on approach at the big airfield. Hubby's craft is considered a plane,but has clearance to land with his friend, who flies a World War II replica ultra-light. Time to test the air before making a decision to head out. OFF TO OSHKOSH!!!

Sadie Says

Do You think all the dogs in the world are the same? ; )

New Bass Pro Shop Location

Bass Pro Shop announced on December 18,2007 they would be building a new store in the Des Moines,IA metro area. A public sign of their intentions became visible along the Highway 65 Bypass intersection with eastbound Interstate 80 within the Altoona city limits.

Looks like a great place for easy access. It won't be more than a half hour drive from my place. I will certain;y have to give it a test run when the doors finally open. ;)

TREE AWAY!

Had some 10:00 P.M. strong weather. Sounded like a mighty rushing wind . Found some broken tree tops , leaves down, grill flipped over... That is the first survey of the situation. There isn't time to walk far at the moment. Have to get read to take my Mom for a knee surgery consultation today. The Hickory on the ground stood among some dead Red Elm until last night. Question comes to mind why the Hickory???

Big Old Fish???

Received my weekly Fishing Report from the Iowa DNR to let me know where the best fishing is happening. Gives interested fisherwomen and men a great idea of what is being caught with what bait. Certainly helps when you want to plan ahead and know the supplies to get before getting to the river or lake.

The list below are waterways in central Iowa that would keep me close to home.

I am sure everyone has places they have found to give them the best results...maybe even not to far away from the backporch. Don Williams (Boone): Crappies are biting on jigs or minnows fished in ten foot of water. Big Creek (Polk): Bluegills are biting on night crawlers under a bobber fishing out from shore. Crappies are being caught on jigs drifting in 9 to 12 foot of water. Walleyes are biting, but sorting is needed – there is a 15 inch minimum length limit. Raccoon River ( Dallas ): Catfish are being caught on stink bait and chicken liver. Beaver Lake ( Dallas ): Bluegills are being caught on worms and catfish on cut bait. Saylorville Lake (Polk): White bass are still being caught at the pump station and below the Big Creek Spillway. The water level keeps dropping and more and more fish are being caught in the main lake. Look for sea gulls or fish hitting the surface – fish the windy side of the lake. White bass and catfish are being caught below the dam. Des Moines River (Polk): Catfish bite is really starting to turn on. Yellow banks, Runnels, and Beaver Creek have been some good spots. Red Rock ( Marion ): White bass are really biting. Best spots are below the dam, Highway 14 Bridge and Teader Creek Bay . Use small crank baits and in line spinners most fish are being caught out in the main lake. Catfish are being caught on the old road bed. Rock Creek (Jasper): Bluegill are slowing down – worms are the best bet. Catfish are still being caught on stink bait and cut bait. Crappies are biting on jigs in 6-8 foot of water. Hickory Grove (Story): Bluegills are biting with a worm fished under a bobber. Crappies are being caught trolling or drifting small jigs or crank baits. Some catfish are being caught on crawlers or cut bait. Easter Lake (Polk): Bluegills are biting on worms and bobbers. Catfish have really turned on and are being caught on stink bait and chicken liver. Lake Ahquabi and Hooper (Warren): Shore fishing has been slow but catfish have been biting on worms. Crappies and bluegills have been biting on tube jigs fished next to rock piles out of boats. Mariposa (Jasper): Bluegills are biting on worms fished under a bobber. Catfish are biting on worms and chicken livers. Contact: Ben Dodd (515)432-2823, Ext.108, for information on the above area lakes