Monday, November 5, 2012
Does Bigfoot Live in Provo Canyon?
This morning I came across this interesting Youtube video. Tell me what you think these young men saw during their camping trip.
Decorah Eagles Return
The Decorah Eagle couple of camera fame have returned to build a new nest away from cameras to rear their new family come February.
A report by Bob Anderson with the Raptor Resource Project, said they won't be able to move the webcam to the new nest 300 feet away from the old one until after the new eaglets hatch and leave the nest.
It is my understanding at this point that attempts to keep the public informed about the future family will be done by taking digital still photos.
I will miss the opportunity to see the close-up shots of the chicks from hatching to flying away to start families of their own.
A little research has brought to my attention that eagles may build more than one nest within their territories and will build new nests if they lose a mate.
Something I wonder about in this situation is if they are aware of the webcam that had been keeping an eye on them? Maybe they were tired of the peeping public...
In any event I hope to bring updates in the future when the expectation of the new family is announced.
A report by Bob Anderson with the Raptor Resource Project, said they won't be able to move the webcam to the new nest 300 feet away from the old one until after the new eaglets hatch and leave the nest.
It is my understanding at this point that attempts to keep the public informed about the future family will be done by taking digital still photos.
I will miss the opportunity to see the close-up shots of the chicks from hatching to flying away to start families of their own.
A little research has brought to my attention that eagles may build more than one nest within their territories and will build new nests if they lose a mate.
Something I wonder about in this situation is if they are aware of the webcam that had been keeping an eye on them? Maybe they were tired of the peeping public...
In any event I hope to bring updates in the future when the expectation of the new family is announced.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
The Timber Life Rut Report
Time to share some central Iowa info on a seasonal event. I don't know how many among you get emotionally charged like me when I see the first signs that indicate the White-tail deer are beginning the rut season, but I am guessing a few with the search results I see on how people are finding my blog.
Here at Timber Life I start searching for buck rubs around October 17th, I was not to be disappointed with a change of date. The morning of October 17th, right on cue, there was a visible rub in the opposite corner of a pasture next to our homestead. A couple days later I headed off in a few directions to see how far the boundaries had extended from what I knew as the starting point. This is the second year for that particular rub, but it didn't become evident until December last year.
I moved a few hundred feet west of the first rub and found two more rubs not far apart, crossed over the ravine and found a concentration of small trees...some getting shredded to the point they had lost their tops.
My comment at this point would have to be that I am seeing bucks and does with nose to the ground, or tasting the air, searching for that right scent. I have witnessed a few chase scenes during the early morning grazing of the soybean field as the deer pass back into the timber for the day.
I keep moving my trail camera in an attempt to catch the bucks making their mark, but so far it seems to take time off when things are heating up.
Other locations on our property have seen an increase in activity as well. I will make note in my record keeping that one of the most used rubs - one I thought would be the first to show any kind of attention, didn't until this past week.
I would have to say the deer are definitely on the move. Please remain aware of your surroundings if they commonly make your path, their path...
Here at Timber Life I start searching for buck rubs around October 17th, I was not to be disappointed with a change of date. The morning of October 17th, right on cue, there was a visible rub in the opposite corner of a pasture next to our homestead. A couple days later I headed off in a few directions to see how far the boundaries had extended from what I knew as the starting point. This is the second year for that particular rub, but it didn't become evident until December last year.
 |
| First Buck Rub |
I moved a few hundred feet west of the first rub and found two more rubs not far apart, crossed over the ravine and found a concentration of small trees...some getting shredded to the point they had lost their tops.
My comment at this point would have to be that I am seeing bucks and does with nose to the ground, or tasting the air, searching for that right scent. I have witnessed a few chase scenes during the early morning grazing of the soybean field as the deer pass back into the timber for the day.
I keep moving my trail camera in an attempt to catch the bucks making their mark, but so far it seems to take time off when things are heating up.
Other locations on our property have seen an increase in activity as well. I will make note in my record keeping that one of the most used rubs - one I thought would be the first to show any kind of attention, didn't until this past week.
I would have to say the deer are definitely on the move. Please remain aware of your surroundings if they commonly make your path, their path...
Monday, October 29, 2012
Facebook - My Passing Fad
Three years ago this past January I decided to follow some of my blogging buddies off to the world of Facebook.
I am not one who would indiscriminately add people for whom I didn't know. My theory was to hang with the family,blogging buddies,circles associated with blogging buddies,and a limited number of past friends.
One of the reasons I went was a chance to share my pictures,hear about what was going on in the family groups, and to catch other hunter's experiences in a centralized location.
I have had my fill of individuals saying how positive they believe themselves to be and then a little while later they are battling with negative emotions about some issue, letting everyone know...Individuals who depend on the public for their livelyhoods, but so willing to express how they feel about those people if their patience is tested. My ability to filter all the emotions I see expressed have reached a boiling point;I need to take another path.
Experiences on Facebook are what you make of them and could be a profitable use of Social Media.I cannot unequivocally say I will never return, but for now I am taking a vacation from the dramas,material that I don't believe is appropriate and widely accepted...
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Deer on the Hill
Iowa has been seeing some warm fall temperatures and the white-tail deer crowd has been slow in making their mass presence known here at Timber Life.
The trail camera started seeing some early increased movement the last of August with a small cool down , it didn't last. Things warmed up again and water sources continue to be dry due to our drought.
One day this past week, on my return trip from gathering the trail camera card, I was greeted by these girls standing like statues while pausing on a make-shift path through the harvested beanfield. I believe the dominant/grandma doe is standing in the lead, then great-grandaughter, grand-daughter, or possibly a second daughter, and a daughter following up at the rear of the line. A purely speculative thought, but sizes do seem to support that hypothesis.
My mind jumped to a post I had made in July of 2009, about the generational home range of the White-tail family groups.
My presence didn't seem to create an immediate flight response, but a curiosity. Our stare down lasted for quite some time.
Eventually, since I didn't move along, they became uncomfortable and the chain reaction started within the group. The dominant and youngest does in the group felt intimidated first.
One of the most common modes of communication I witness is the muzzle to muzzle.
The others had already taken off for a more sheltered situation, so, the last in line shifted into high gear to make up for being left behind.
As the cold fronts continue to move-in, I expect to see the deer return in grand fashion for we are what you would call a "winter deer yard". Looking forward to seeing what might be wandering passed in the days ahead...
The trail camera started seeing some early increased movement the last of August with a small cool down , it didn't last. Things warmed up again and water sources continue to be dry due to our drought.
One day this past week, on my return trip from gathering the trail camera card, I was greeted by these girls standing like statues while pausing on a make-shift path through the harvested beanfield. I believe the dominant/grandma doe is standing in the lead, then great-grandaughter, grand-daughter, or possibly a second daughter, and a daughter following up at the rear of the line. A purely speculative thought, but sizes do seem to support that hypothesis.
My mind jumped to a post I had made in July of 2009, about the generational home range of the White-tail family groups.
 |
| Majestic |
My presence didn't seem to create an immediate flight response, but a curiosity. Our stare down lasted for quite some time.
Eventually, since I didn't move along, they became uncomfortable and the chain reaction started within the group. The dominant and youngest does in the group felt intimidated first.
One of the most common modes of communication I witness is the muzzle to muzzle.
 |
| Kickin' it into gear! |
The others had already taken off for a more sheltered situation, so, the last in line shifted into high gear to make up for being left behind.
As the cold fronts continue to move-in, I expect to see the deer return in grand fashion for we are what you would call a "winter deer yard". Looking forward to seeing what might be wandering passed in the days ahead...
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