Lake Petocka - Bondurant IA

Last week I had the opportunity to take a short side trip off Iowa Highways 65/330 in Bondurant,IA. 

Turning right off the south end of the bridge coming into town I went a block west to Pleasant St. NE.
Taking another right, heading back north I traveled for another block to arrive at Lake Petocka -located at 520 Pleasant St. NE, it is to your right.  

It has been relatively easy  to keep an eye on ice fishing activities as I pass bye.

Lake Petocka was the host to a trout stocking event on January 26,2013 by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Searching on Google I found another central Iowa Blogspot Blogger talking about another trout stocking at Lake Petocka  back on November 2012. Please stop by FishnDave to catch some tips on what Fly Patterns to use for what fish you are planning to hook.

Thursday, March 7th,was the second time I had seen some birds sitting on the lake within two weeks...it made me curious.

I can't verify of course that these birds were the same group that I saw earlier, but the location and count  was reminiscent of my previous fly-bye

 The bird's species was a question for me to answer after I caught them resting on the shallows of the melting ice shelf.

I found myself entertaining the thoughts of Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swans. 

However, comparing my pictures to the physical traits seen at the Trumpeter Swan  website - then at the Snow Geese website. I found white feathers, black beak and legs coincided with Trumpeter Swans...

 Beautiful, graceful birds remaining undisturbed  by the human activity around the lake. While I visited there was only one other vehicle in the area with me watching the birds.

My research on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources  about indigenous populations provided information on the tagging and collaring of the birds. How to locate biographical information by noting the color and number. Where did they come from?

This group of birds didn't have collars and their wings weren't exposed for me to see if by chance they had wing tip tags. So, I can only guess if they were coming home from the southern states, or just stopping until the weather improves further to our north.

The south side of the lake provided shallow open water.

On the opposite side of the lake there were still some ice fishermen enjoying an anglers retreat and open holes. The morning started off in the upper teens, warming to the middle thirties by the afternoon.

Ice conditions have deteriorated in recent days due to melting ice/snow. Higher temperatures with rain are creating ideal conditions for replenishing the water supplies which are in dire need, but could be leading to the end of what seemed to be another short ice fishing season.

Please click here to get a March 7, 2013 Iowa Department of Natural Resources Weekly Fishing update...

Information for the Iowa Deer Classic 2013

Good day folks! I received some information about advance ticket purchases for our annual "Iowa Deer Classic" back before Christmas. Now, I believe it is time to get that information out to other interested parties in case they didn't receive the email themselves since we are in the eleventh hour. At less than a week away, if you haven't already added it to your social calendar, maybe now would be a good time.

We all know the deer hunter, or huntress in our families don't always get everything they want for Christmas, or they would like to do some planning for the future, this venue would be a fantastic chance to checkout products up close. 

A positive opportunity ,The Classic has become one of the top National gatherings for Whitetail Deer hunters to share experiences,find product, and plan for In or Out of State hunts/fishing trips of one kind or another.

Iowa Deer Classic 3-D  March 7, 2009

Mark your calendar…Get your bow ready for some 3-D competition,get your biggest buck ready, pull out the fruits of your shed hunting, and join your friends at the Iowa Deer Classic, March 1-3 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines!

                                                               The Iowa Deer Classic 2013

* Click Iowa Events Center  to.find out where this event is being held and  get tickets to avoid long lines.      
   Find out what it takes to display your trophy bucks and monster sheds during this three day happening..
* You can now find Iowa Deer Classic on Facebook - www.facebook.com/IowaDeerClassic.
* Do you Tweet? Head over to the Iowa Deer Classic Twitter site and add them to your friends list -                www.twitter.com/iowadeerclassic   
* Last, but definitely not least  you can still  stay connected at  www.iowadeerclassic.com .... 
 

                                                                2013 Show Hours 

                                      Friday, March     1st  - 3 PM to 9 PM 
                                      Saturday, March 2nd - 9 AM to 7 PM 
                                      Sunday, March   3rd  - 9 AM to 4 PM 


                                                                 General Admission
                                     
                                     Admission $12 
                                     Youth ( 10 to 15) $5 
                                     Kids under 10 Free 
                                     Big Buck Contest Tickets $20 + 3-day pass 
                                     Friday Night is Ladies Night! All Ladies are admitted FREE! 

                                                                 Event Registration 

                                    Big Buck Contest:     Friday 3pm thru Sunday 11am 
                                    Shed Antler Contest: Friday 3pm thru Sunday 11am


                                                                 Hy-Vee Hall 2009

Longbow Legend Byron Ferguson

Since these pictures were taken,  Hy-Vee Hall has undergone some expansion to accommodate venues such as the Iowa Deer Classic with more floor space, more room for vendors and visitors...A plus since it has become such a popular event.

Come check it out!

Saylorville Lake Eagle Watch

Recently, I took the time to visit the Saylorville Lake Visitor Center to checkout the current ice conditions.Reading about them in my weekly fishing news from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources made me a bit curious. First hand knowledge was apart of my agenda for that day.

The Center was closed when I stopped,wintertime hours are limited to special events.

 Since the building wasn't open I took off for

 the lake overlook. Along the pathway I came across an area filled with multiple bird feeding stations. All the feeders were lined with hungry occupants, that is until my presence put them to flight. They didn't stay away long after I tarried at a distance.

As I walked beside the feeders I heard a bird call that I didn't recognize.

However, for the most part the birds I saw were familiar to me, because their family members would visit my winter feeders when I pursued that hobby.

Warnings to keep off the ice were posted in more than one place. One on the door of the building pictured at the top, and more than one mention was taped to the windows of the marquee in front of me.

In other Iowa lake locations vehicles have been removed after breaking through what their owners  believed to be sturdy ice layers. Our run of above normal temps kept people guessing as to what they  would find on their fishing trips.

Authorities did a great job of keeping us informed with their reports.

Pictured to the right is the earthen Saylorville Dam built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

On this day I saw three Eagles either sitting on the ice, or flying to open water. I didn't remember the binoculars, but definitely will add them to the list if I do head out to do more observing.

Facing northeast on the overlook I found open water not far from the shoreline.

Snapping pictures became a challenge with wind whipping and a few flurries sprinkling the air on this afternoon.

I had enough of the elements! Getting a chill I went back to the car to get me warmed up again.

Facing south towards downtown Des Moines,IA

Heading off  to explore some more , I took a right out of the parking lot, pointing the car in the direction of the dam.

Getting a little more than halfway onto the dam I pulled off the highway into a visitor's overlook parking space.

I sat and watched for  geese, and ducks, known to be in the area often at this time of year, under these weather conditions. My wait didn't provide any evidence they were around...at least not here.

Activity around the dam wasn't extremely busy, but a few like minded individuals were out taking advantage of the lack of snow to do some sightseeing.

The Saylorville Visitor Center will be open tomorrow afternoon February 24th,2013,from 12:00 - 4:00 P.M.

The Annual Saylorville Lake Eagle Watch tour will begin at the Visitor Center with a theater show and an Eagle aptitude test. Spotting scopes will be available to see the Eagles soaring over the lake and the opportunity to see an eagle presentation will be available at the Jester Park Lodge.

Eagle watch sponsors are reminding individuals  to pickup your Eagle Watch Passports at any of the stops and when it has been completed take it back to where you began at the Saylorville Visitor Center on the eastside of the dam, on Horseshoe Road, off Highway 415, to enter a drawing to win prizes. For more information please call (515)276-4656.

Here's wishing you many Eagle sightings wherever you might be...Have a great day!

A Valentines fo You

Even nature has a message to those who  are looking...August 9th,2012,the clouds hanging over Timber Life showed power and beauty...

Our Flat Stanley Project Day Two

Getting a Gasoline Level

7:30 A.M. Saturday, January 26th,time for Flat Stanley to be up and around to head out the door for the day...

Today was the day for a plane trip to the annual Greenfield Museum Chili Fly-in. The morning started off very cold, but it didn't dampen Hubby's intent to pilot a friend's Ercoupe to the event.

The airplane heater did a fantastic job to keep the cabin comfortable until the sun help warm the air.

                        Ercoupe Pre-Flight

Each flight event  leads to a checklist to make sure all systems are functioning before lift-off.

Flat Stanley was getting a one-on-one lesson in the  process.

If you would like to see what is involved in the list please click Ercoupe Pre-Flight above.

The Ercoupe pulled out of the hangar onto the tarmac getting headed towards the Runway.

Hey all!

We couldn't let this chance to have a group shot pass us by enroute. 

Pictured today- Pilot holding Flat Stanley is my Hubby and the Co-pilot is plane owner, Ed.

The air was smooth and visibility was clear for miles, just a great day to be flying!

Thank you Mr. Ralph for being a good sport. Flat Stanley will remember forever the opportunity to do  some hangar flying, the great company, conversation and chili...

 You can't go to a Fly-in without asking to sit a plane, or two.

Being of slight build Flat Stanley was granted the chance for some photo experiences.

This little yellow plane is a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub,a small, simple, light aircraft that was built between 1937 and 1947 by Piper Aircraft. With tandem seating, it was intended for flight training, but became one of the most popular and best-known light aircraft of all time. Flat Stanley was ready for a ride.

Another plane that drew his interest was this 
1968 Pitts Special S1S. This red and white beauty was built by an Experimental Aircraft Association group headquartered in Ankeny, IA and donated for display here at the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame Museum.

These two planes are a small sample of what you will find when you are able to stop and visit.
Please click here to see the other planes of interest now on display.

The group's visit passed quickly,enjoyed by one and all. However,it was now time to board the Ercoupe and  trace the landscape in reverse back to homebase ending their phenomenal day...

Our Flat Stanley Project Day One

It  was a day like any other, Thursday, January 24th, time to go retrieve the mail from the  mailbox at the end of our 1/2 mile drive. Our Springer Spaniel Sadie hopped up into the truck to take her place on the passenger side.

Collecting the mail I saw we had gotten a letter from our youngest Granddaughter. Usually when we  get an envelope it contains her artwork to add to our gallery.Each piece brings lots of smiles from this Grandma.

Well, it appears today she sent us artwork with a purpose.

The envelope brought a message and a cheery little guy  named Flat Stanley. Maybe you have heard of Flat Stanley? He really seems to be having some great adventures.and I hope we can add to his bucket list before he must hop back in an envelope to find his way back home.

Not long after his arrival he was working on an afghan knitting project for our oldest Granddaughter that I had been occupied with for quite awhile.. I appreciate his expertise even after having only met him a couple hours before.

I wanted to show Flat Stanley the progress Hubby had made since our Granddaughter's last visit to our new home. Presently,  the heating system isn't operating so the working conditions remain a little chilly when the temps are extremely cold outside. I apologized for not having a winter ensemble ready to keep him warm during our outdoor excursions in our Central Iowa location, but he was ready to go in whatever direction my feet would carry him.

 

The day had been long and eventful, Flat Stanley was exhausted. It was time for me to show him where he could find a cozy, warm  bed for a good nights rest. Tomorrow was going to be another busy day.....

I would like to share information on The Original Flat Stanley Project. You can go see more about it by clicking here...