News I have been waiting to hear sounds a bit bleak.
The report from the largest Iowa newspaper, huntress Juli Probasco-Sowers, gives us some statistics that are not positive for those sportswomen and men who like to head out after the Ring Necked Pheasant. Iowa Pheasant season is slated for October 25th, 2008 and runs through January 10th, 2009.
Last year I noticed a definite population decline in our neighborhood and this year, even though I have heard birds in the area, I only saw a total of three. Maybe not out at the same time they are.
Weather has definitely been a stress factor in bird health. With expanding local populations of turkey, predatory animals like coyote and fox can also create a lower number for growth . Any birds that do survive the weather are faced with other challenges for survival.
Even though Sadie, who will be six months old on the 18th of this month, won't be on the Pheasant trail this year. We are going to be waiting until next year when she will have some age behind her...and listen to commands a little better.
Here's wishing success to all those hunters who are looking to get out after that smart Upland bird the Pheasant! ;)
I caught the Monarchs packed on the ends of the branches on the oak trees here. Time for them to be moving on down to the Mississippi Delta and over to Mexico. It appears they are on schedule for the yearly migration...
As I moved closer to snap pictures, I disturbed the calm atmosphere. Sending a few butterflies to a different limb to perch in the warm rays of the sun.
The number of winged wonders made the branches seem to have sprouted orange leaves as they stretched and fluttered during their brief stop to rest.
