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! ;)

Celebrating Life

The Posting content is wide and varied here at Timber Life...

Today, I will share about two ladies who have seen over a century of changes pass by in their daily lives.

Our family recently gathered in Maryville,Mo. to celebrate the 102nd Birthday of my Great Aunt Roberta. She is seated on the right, by the edge of the table. Seated beside her is her 104 year old sister, Great Aunt Ethel, who made the trip from North of Council Bluffs,IA on a very dreary start to the day.

My Mom's Aunt Roberta lived most of her life in and around the small town where she was born Northwest of Maryville. In the last few years she has had some physical ailments that have required a bit more attention to keep her going; she has joined some other folks in a local Care Center.

104 year old Great Aunt Ethel lived independently until last October. She has since moved into an Assisted Living arrangement where she can get help if there is something she can't get accomplished on her own. She still enjoys reading the news paper daily for herself.

It was good medicine to the heart to see them greet one another! Unsteady legs on the part of Great Aunt Roberta gave rise to a little nudge from willing hands.

There were 8 children, 5 girls and 3 boys, from the Union of Samuel Edgar Livengood and Pearl Edith Harvey Livengood. Most of the siblings made it into their 80's, still a long full life.

These two remaining centenarians are an inspiration to all of us young whipper snappers who have yet to learn a thing or two....;)

Sad News on the Wildlife Front

Please be informed this Post may include a picture that could be disturbing to some people.

This winter we have been treated to Eagles flying over almost daily. March 5th, gave me the opportunity to see more Eagles in one place than I had ever seen until that day. There was a positive count of 13 between two different locations. Others were spotted; I didn't stop driving again to see how many more...

This particular Bald Eagle was sitting across from a pasture watching its comrades.

Even yesterday,the 19th ,I caught two magnificent birds visiting in the neighborhood when I returned home from watching a couple of grand-kids before school. Both Eagles were doing what they do to fill their niche in nature.




I had been seeing deer gathering in some fields close to our county blacktop. The scarcity of food has brought about hunger,starvation and even death to many four hoofed brothers of the Timber. Falling from exhaustion wherever their bodies give way to solemn slumber. It truly brings sadness...

Then I checked out a story over at the Iowa DNR site after I heard that someone shot and killed a Bald Eagle in a county south of here. It was doing what raptors do to help cleanse the landscape.

This was one of three deer that fell visibly close to traveled paths by both man and wildlife.

It is one thing when animals become victims of their habitat.A happening that has repeated itself over and over this season.

However, you wonder what the story is of the person who felt it was their right to end the life of America's National symbol a Bald Eagle?....

The Birds Are Back

In a comment left yesterday The Hunter's Wife said...Great pictures. We are having great weather. Saw a Robin last week...spring is here!

          I wasn't able to say that I had seen a Robin until this morning when a bunch came through - traveling with some Blackbirds and  Bluebirds. The Robin males had made their visible return to the Des Moines area Southwest of Timber Life some three weeks ago. They must have decided it was to early at that point to hit the countryscape.

There was a group of Blubirds darting through the air from perches to the ground looking for food.

This little Cardinal male looked a bit ruffled by all the outsiders stopping by to sit in his tree and eat his food on the ground. He was having a bad feather day...

As time goes on I know all of us will be able to add daily the evidence towards the impending calendar date called Spring a week from Saturday. ;)

The Vs Are Here

It is with great excitement I write this post!

Sadie and I were on our almost daily trek to the mailbox this morning. I had gone back into the house to grab the camera because I had caught two tall standing whitetails in the pasture watching our every move. I knew we would be seeing wild life today...Well, of course the deer weren't there when I got back outside!

Found some raccoon tracks going the full length of our half mile drive.Hubby saw the black eyed bandit going out last night on his way into the house after dark.

Heard Red Winged Blackbirds, water birds, and the not so pretty crow was being raucous.

The Cardinals have been doing a fantastic job of calling in the sunrise as of late, just a very positive time of the morning to be out and around.

Got a picture of our melting mountains of snow and perennial plants that are showing new life.

The Lavendar is starting to green up at the tips.

The sedum has started new growth which seems to have become food for ground hugging animals.




Then there were Vs and Vs of geese flying by.

Caught the undersides of these guys going over when I stopped to snap some shots by the airplane hangars on my way back from retrieving the mail.



It is shaping up to be a great day!

Iowa Deer Classic 2010

We are reaching that time of year when all the Whitetail deer hunters in Iowa have a place to get together to show off their trophy Bucks,shed antlers, and their talents with the Bow.

In the two years that I have visited this event, I have gotten some really great ideas to put on my to-do list in an effort to improve conditions at Timber Life for the deer that call this property home.

So,what am I talking about? The annual Iowa Deer Classic of course!
Checkout the video taken at last year's event...A great introduction to what you will find if you get a chance to attend.

I know I had a great time finding out about all kinds of  products available for the  hunter in general...


Find out what happens at the Iowa Deer Classics



Iowa Events Center
Show Hours
Friday - March 5,2010 - 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday - March 6,2010 - 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sunday - March 7,2010 - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

General Admission
Adult $10
Youth (7 to 12) $5
Kids under 7 free
Big Buck Contest Ticket $20
Family Pack $25 (includes Two Adult tickets, Two Youth tickets, Two Soft Drinks)
Friday Night is Ladies Night! All ladies are admitted FREE!

Event Registration
Big Buck Contest: Fri 3pm thru Sun 11am
Shed Antler Contest: Fri 3pm thru Sun 11am
Classic 300 Archery Tournament: Fri 3pm thru Sun 11:30am

Door Prizes!
Daily Winners - Delta Targets
Grand Prize - Thompson-Center Muzzleloader

This is a great way to get the whole family involved in activities of the outdoors....;)

What a Difference

What a difference a year has made!

Last year we had a warming spell that gave us open ground on this same date. By the end of this week it appears we will be headed up into the  40's for highs so  the ground will once again be peeking out. Going to be a strange phenomena since we've had snow on the ground since December 9th.


Is it Spring yet? ;)

National Pheasant Fest

This weekend in Des Moines,IA the National Pheasant Fest is returning for another great time for the upland bird game hunter.






I haven't personally attended one of the gatherings,but from what I have heard they have a lot of things scheduled .

Weekend Agenda

Friday, February 26, 2010
12:45pm	Bird Dog Parade (immediately preceding Ribbon Cutting)	HyVee Hall Entrance
1:00pm	Ribbon Cutting - Show Opens	HyVee Hall Entrance
2:00pm	Seminars and Sessions Begin	HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
6:00pm	Friday Night Sportsman's Banquet - Boasting & Toasting	Polk County Convention Center
7:30pm	Friday Night Sportsman's Banquet - Dinner Served	Polk County Convention Center
8:00pm	Seminars and Sessions End	HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
9:00pm	Show Closes	HyVee Hall
Saturday, February 27, 2010
9:00am	Show Opens	HyVee Hall
10:00am	Seminars and Sessions Begin	HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
12:00pm	Conservation Lunch	Polk County Convention Center
5:00pm	Seminars and Sessions End	HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
6:00pm	Show Closes	HyVee Hall
6:00pm	Saturday Night Banquet - Boasting & Toasting	Polk County Convention Center
7:30pm	Saturday Night Banquet - Dinner Served	Polk County Convention Center
Sunday, February 28, 2010
8:00am	Church Service
10:00am	Show Opens	HyVee Hall
11:00am	Seminars and Sessions Begin	HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
4:00pm	Seminars and Sessions End	HyVee Hall Meeting Rooms
5:00pm	Show Ends - Thank you for a great Pheasant Fest!	HyVee Hall

(weekend agenda subject to change)

---

In taking a look at pictures,number #20 to be exact, from the last event held in Des Moines at the Iowa Events Center back in 2007, I saw a Springer Spaniel from the back that reminded me of my dog Sadie.

It is my understanding that Federal Premium Ammunition will be introducing a new pheasant shot called "Prairie Storm" at the Fest.  Click here to see a review by Anthony Hauck, outdoor writer for the Star Tribune  from Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN.

I have been checking out the website and ran across  some of the forage mixtures that Pheasants Forever have developed to supply the upland game birds and whitetail deer winter food sources. Dual purposes that could fit many situations.

It has been my personal observation that the pheasant population has had a huge decline in our local area and it wasn't by human hunting pressures.Sure would like to see the birds back to the same level of three to four years ago. ;)

The National convention is only a few days away and would make a great break in the monotonous winter weather that has been keeping us all with an eye to the sky. The forecast for the weekend in central Iowa is sun and temps in the 30's.  ;)

National Pheasant Fest
Mark your calendars:
Des Moines, IA

Friday, February 26th 1pm-9pm
Saturday, February 27th 9am-6pm
Sunday, February 28th 10am-5pm

Admission: $10/day

Framed

I know,I know. Blog titles can be deceiving. ;)

When the hard-drive of my old computer wouldn't click out of it's death knell a while back ,I got a Windows 7 Home Premium operating system on a new e-machine.

The Windows Live Mail Program has some really entertaining, positive additions for people who want to keep things changing with their communications. I have found adding pictures to be very easy and giving them character by framing quite  delightful. Yes, it sounds like I'm bored...doesn't it?

Certainly, the capabilities I've discovered maybe possible with other programs, but this is the first I have been aware of them  being associated with an e-mail program that I have had the opportunity to use.

At this point I can see a lot of interesting situations with e-mail and photo editing programs at my disposal. I am the click and learn type individual. Just hope I don't wipe something out in the process. I won't, tongue in cheek, had to throw that in there for good measure.

Here's sharing my take of the Windows 7 Home Premium Live Mail Program. I like it! I like it! ;)

Timber Life Valentines

The  promise of more winter weather on Sunday the 14th, led Hubby and me to go shopping Friday evening after he got off work to prepare for our Valentine's celebration at home. Hubby and I had some ideas of what would be on the menu...so we headed to the fresh meat/seafood counter at our local store.


Timber Life Valentines Menu
                                 Salad splashed with Raspberry Vinaigrette
                                 New York Strip Steak
                                 Scallops (a la famous Boston Restaurant recipe)
                                 Mashed Potatoes with bacon and cheddar
                                 Mississippi Mud Pie Cheesecake

Hubby took over as Chef and everything was grilled, baked, and microwaved in time to catch the start of the Daytona 500. Go Bass Pro Shops Jamie McMurray !

Viewing the movie "Amelia" helped to fill in  time while we waited for the Daytona 500  track repair to cure and get the cars back onto the track.

Ah yes...I can't forget to share what Hubby brought  me this Happy Valentines Day. Recently, we acquired the Wii gaming system so we are starting to add accessories. Hubby and I took turns at being rookie game hunters. It is going to be interesting on how to get the response of the gun to mirror the response of the user better. Yes, probably needs some tweaking of the components. Sure is going to be fun working out the bugs.

OH! I can't forget the basket of sweet treats. Thanks to Hubby I have been supplied  with one of my favorite candies. I like cinnamon....HOT cinnamon. This little conveyor of sweet treats is sitting in a basketful of "Atomic Fireballs", not sure how long it will take me to munch my way through, but it should be well into the next year.

I thought is would be nice if Hubby could go flying at his Aero Club this year since he likes to get his feet off the ground whenever possible. So, the suggestion for him to go ahead and pay his full year of dues was met with a smile.

The snow stopping and the sun shining for a time made for a pleasant end
to the day.

Hope you all got a chance to celebrate with your special
person....;)