Yellowstone Bison Attacks

The news is buzzing about the Bison attack at Yellowstone National Park.

Reviewing the video caught by one of the individuals targeted by the Bison shows they weren't using good judgement in their proximity to the wild beast.

Someone else definitely made a poor choice when they pelted the animal, endangering others with that decision. It is my opinion that the animal would not have been disturbed by its observers if it hadn't been enraged by the assault. Purely conjecture on my part...

Time and time again we find how short sighted people become when they get too close to wild animals who's behaviors are totally unpredictable.

I am very glad that all the individuals survived the attack - they have a story to share...

The Groundhog Rises Again

WHewie! Today is one of those days you stop and reflect on flash backs from the past. 

Good old days when The Ground Hog Hilton was busy that one summer. Guess it was back in September of '07 if memory serves me right. Yep.... '07.

It started like this...My side kick Sadie and I were off to the land of Garden Delights - had some weed wrasseling to do. While I was hard at work yanking, and pulling around the cantaloupe, Sadie was off  putting her sniff on the territory.

MY WORD! Some critter just past my feet without as much as a howdy do, landing smack dab, flat against the fence. Hmmmm, a familiar shape only smaller. I followed suit to see about scaring it out of the garden the same way it had entered, through the open gate.

Couldn't get Sadie's attention for a bit, thought if she got on the same side of the critter I was it would head out. The poor thing was pinned, its back to the fence taking a defensive posture while clicking its teeth. Sadie darting in and back, eventually out the gate herself, opening up the opportunity to give that little plant eater a heave with my trusty three tined garden tool. (Where's the camera when you need it?!?)

As I lifted that miniature clover muncher, giving it a toss, it laid on its back looking around until Sadie came to investigate. 

Whoops! Sadie couldn't let this chance go by without chasing it off into the Timber full tilt until it wasn't seen any longer.

It looks like an exciting season ahead! ; )

Garden Delights

This Spring I decided to resurrect my gardening abilities after spending the last couple of years working on expanding my knowledge base in a totally unrelated field.

The drive to get the garden producing again was due to my need to fulfill the want for vegetables I only look at in the store. Hubby doesn't really enjoy eating some of the morsels I have known since childhood, so I make concessions. However, now I have the opportunity, I am going to take advantage. Seeds are relatively inexpensive compared to what they charge in the retail setting for the end product.

My flannel wearing tomato has gained in size appreciably and there are good sized tomatoes getting the red hue as of July 14th.

As you can see my early set tomato has gained company. In the row next to it I planted white potatoes that my sister had given me from  her kitchen cupboard. It is said they don't make good specimens for replanting but the only thing left to see  is how big they will be when they are ready to be dug.

When my focus was on picking berries the rains decided to come, and the weeds flourished since they were the ones inhabiting this space for quite sometime. One good thing was that the vegetables had an established start so they could withstand some competition until I got back to defending their position. The battle of the weeds will probably never totally end; over time there might be less.

Yes, solutions such as mulches etc...do exist, but I like bare ground best, with wide row plantings for vegetables suited to that method.

I like space saving measures with viney plants to try to keep them from swallowing up too much area. It also helps to keep the fruits, or veggies from getting so dirty, or wet that disease rots them before they are ready to harvest.

I am all for recycling materials for structures in the garden if I find them. Presently, I am removing a makeshift fence made by the previous owners of our property. They included some fence panels which I intend to place on the wooden fence posts in my garden to promote plant alternating rows from season to season.

I really like making/having the concrete reinforcing wire cages for use with both tomatoes and cucumbers.

Time to get to other things...So, I will leave you all for now.

Stay cool and safe !!! ;)

Time to Hay and See

The weather turned off dry for about 4 days last week. It gave my hunting mentor and neighbor time to do some grass cutting in my north pasture.

After raking and letting it dry down a bit he enlisted the help of one of his friends to stack those bales for him.They brought out four full racks and a half of another. Today, they are working on getting another racks worth out...

I like when he cuts the grass, because it opens up the vista for me to see what wildlife is passing through the field.

The past two years there had been a a turkey nest filled with eggs when the pasture was trimmed. No mention has been made of a nest this year, but I have seen a hen making use of the timber in the vicinity of the house.

This good sized Doe has a fawn in the area. She is constantly moving around in the fields close to the house.  A beautiful animal with very statuesque features when she strikes an observant pose. Her attention always drifts towards the homestead, because she knows she is being watched.

I enjoy watching  the family use the little deer plots I planted last summer for their own cafeteria. It isn't often in the daylight that deer are found eating there right now.

On the day they visited, the fawn was darting here, and there, excercising its young legs, putting on a show for whoever might be in attendance... ;)

Iowa Black Bear Sighting 2010

Post Update : This little Black Bear has been given some aide by the Iowa DNR to get him closer to Wisconsin. The DNR tranquilized him after his visit to Postville and moved him to a remote part of  Allamakee County in an attempt to encourage his departure. They aren't sure if he is the same one sighted earlier in the video below...




Iowa has been host to yet another Black Bear.

How long until we will list them as a native animal? Only time will establish that fact.

Des Moines Register Columnist, Kyle Munson, blogged  about the recent sightings in our northern tier counties.

The  young male has found himself the main character in a  short video,when he decided to raid a backyard bird feeder.  ;)

Sadie Says - Oh YUM!

Hey there gentlemen, ladies and kind fellow four legged people lovers. 

Stopping by the blog world to let you know that I'm still around keeping Mom in line.

The berry season is coming to a close for the second time in my short life, but not without getting my share of the "Goods".

Mom seems to think she is going to try to get a couple more pounds  of raspberries and maybe, some of the gooseberries.

My Mom doesn't have to worry about me eating to much. After I get enough, I just quit and go find a place to lay down...Whether it be where Mom is picking berries, or under a close shade tree.

My nose knows which berry is the  best of the

best. 

Seems I have reawakened my wild side...(wink, wink)  

Time to totter off and dream about MORE berries.... ;)

Happy 4th of July

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I would like to thank our founding fathers for Declaring our Independence and creating a place where we can be free to express our political views...

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July! ;)

Happy 35th Anniversary

Today,  Hubby and  I are celebrating our 35th Wedding Anniversary...These are two songs popular in the mid 70's that we decided would be apart of our forever after story...

Mr. and Mrs. Corey Butcher

June 28, 1975

Now and into the Future

Pictured right to left front row:Millie Koenig - Mother of the Bride, Dianna Koenig Butcher, Corey Butcher, Lucille Butcher - Mother of the Groom.

back row right to left: Donna Jones - friend and soloist, Janet Koenig Huff - Sister and Bridesmaid, Brothers of the Bride Dale Koenig, Ed Koenig, Brother of the Groom and guitar accompanist/soloist Bryan Butcher, Father of the Groom Don Butcher

Time is not the only thing that will keep slipping into the future,so will we as long as God allows... ;)

The Wild Berries Ripen

As I was looking through the way some one arrived at my blog over at the BlogLog I saw the query "When do Wild Raspberries ripen in Iowa?" I would like to respond to that question.

It is very likely that there are some Wild Raspberries being picked in the southern tier counties of Iowa as we speak.

Here is what the Wild Raspberries are doing here at Timber Life today. This afternoon you can see a red tinge beginning in the middle of the group.

They are pretty predictable in that they usually begin to ripen by the end of the third week of June. The  middle black cap starts off blushing red. I begin to pick them when they turn black and shiny with juice filled pockets.

I usually eat them plain, as a garnish to several different foods or topped with Reddi-wip. Maybe, this year I will put them in some sort of dessert.


Last summer Wandering Owl Outside gave us an idea how the berries could be made into a tasty treat. Check it out.

Another berry that is making a splash in the timber is the  messy Mulberry. However, when it comes to  right off the tree sweet treats they rank pretty highly.   
The birds seem to have a homing beacon when the berries are at their best.

One of the bad things about the Mulberry is its ability to reproduce prolifically. Guess I will just have to take the good  with the bad.

Gooseberries, the first fruit that I pick of the summer season, can be picked starting the last of May, the first part of June, it is one many find to create a pucker in its early green stage.

If the gooseberry stays on the bush  and gets to the wine colored stage it is very mellow and even  becomes sweet.

Whatever wild fruit that fits your taste bud you should be heading to the woods  soon



So, to answer the question of  "When do Wild Raspberries ripen in Iowa?"
Now is the time to keep an eye on your favorite patches....

One Week and Counting in the Rest of Their Lives

One week ago and counting, Hubby and I  headed South to the Des Moines, IA Botanical Center. A fantastic destination to learn more about plants of the World with seasonal additions to add color.

The day turned off like one you might experience in July, or August, but certainly not the last of May! Temps reached 90 degrees with high humidity to match.


The reason for this visit was because our family was adding a new member to it's ranks and the gazebo in the herb garden happened to be the chosen location for this happy occasion .

The winding paths,blooming plants and garden statuary made a very lovely setting for a springtime wedding.






Hubby's brother Bryan and  his daughter,our niece Lexee, as they prepare to meet her intended, Jacob, in the gazebo.

The wedding party came a short distance from the main building to a circular path. The two people would go opposite directions on the circular path...meeting once again on the other side, Once everyone gathered the couple exchanged self-written vows.

                      Jacob and Lexee's Story  

Jacob and Lexee met in 1990 when Jacob moved in across the street from Lexee's family. They became fast friends and developed a close, long lasting friendship, that survived teenage angst, college, and even other relationships. Throughout it all, Lexee and Jacob came out together and, in 2005, decided to stop searching for the wrong people and started dating. Three and a half years later, in October of 2008, Jacob popped the question.

 So, after all their years together, on May 30,2010, they took their vows to become Man and Wife.
Truly,a joyous event.

A popular Des Moines night spot was the next stop. Closed to the public,the evening went to the next level.

Family and friends  came to celebrate with the happy couple...Dining,Toasts,Dancing and laughter filled the air.

Such a beautiful wedding cake ! It was an all in the family creation. Lexee's sister is the artist who helped get  the plan visualized to paper , then my daughter, Lexee's cousin, baked and decorated. What a wonderful team they made!

I  believe my S-IN-L (son-in-law) even helped out on the base frosting application.  ; )






Congratulations to the happy couple! May your lives continue be filled with Love, Laughter and Understanding... ;)

Honoring Family Veterans

Today, I would like to take the time to honor family Veterans for Memorial Day.

The first two both saw action during the Korean War.

It is my honor to introduce to you  my Dad, John Koenig, who was inducted into the service on May 5,1952 and exited with the rank of Corporal on March 24,1954 at Camp Carson Colorado. His time was spent on Japan and eventually he moved over to South Korea to take up his post. According to his discharge papers he was a mechanic/ truck driver in the 74th Engineer Heavy Equipment CO APO 301.

We have pictures Dad sent to my Grandmother while he voyaged on ships, toured the streets and countrysides of foreign countries. Research has opened up some general information about the pictures which didn't include any identifying information.

One of the stories we have heard is that when he was delivering a repaired truck back to a squad in the early morning hours he got lost just over the North Korean border because he didn't have a compass to give him direction. Topping it all off he fell asleep at the wheel and over turned in a ditch.

He returned to the States, had a family, and was taken to be with the Lord in his 39th year due to a truck accident. That was 40 years ago when I was 13.

Another person I would like to honor is my Mother's brother, Kenneth Livengood, who served in the Air Force during the Korean War from March 1951-1955,stationed in Japan.

My Mother said," That while he was in the service he was apart of a group of men providing special intelligence information. His missions
would have him attached to a briefcase with handcuffs." She mentioned that you never knew exactly where he was at any given time.

Like my Father, he too has passed on.








Another Army man, my brother Dale Koenig worked as a mechanic and served in Germany for several years in the early 1980's.

A story we have heard from him is that while in Germany he had a traffic mishap transporting a truck and because of our German name they didn't pursue any traffic violation charges. It sounded as though it happened on one of their narrow mountain passes where travel was extremely precarious. Thankfully everything turned out okay.










John and Christopher Koenig

The next generation now serving our country at home and soon to be abroad, our nephews, John and Chris, sons of Dale and Joy Koenig.

John entered the Air Force after High School graduation in 1999. He is trained as a Satellite Wideband and Telemetry technician. He traveled the world during his two tours of duty and is now working at the 133rd Test Squadron in Fort Dodge, IA.

Chris became a member of the Iowa Army National Guard in January. He will be joining others in the President's planned upsurge of troops to Afghanistan in the war against the Taliban.  Maybe he will get a chance to meet our fellow blogger Albert Rasch from The Rasch  Outdoor Chronicles.

I speak of men who lived through their tours of duty and who are yet to complete time in the field...

Our families have many not mentioned here that have added their time in War and Peace time service, to them Thank You.

However, now I would like to thank those families who have  lost loved ones in the service to this country, for what they have given for the security and freedom we still experience.

Thank You for what you have sacrificed for the freedoms of others...

How Sweet it IS !

Last week I bought a new Hummingbird feeder because the I had the feeling we would be having our timber mates back home soon. I boiled up some sugar water and put it outside...

The Baltimore Orioles seemed a bit late in their return, but they knew when it was okay to come back. I heard them in the trees on Friday last week and caught a picture of one Saturday night.

I wanted to bring them closer for viewing this season. As you can tell, they have found the feeder on the deck. I am extremely pleased that they haven't been shy about coming to visit.
Hello There!!!! A female Oriole checked me out as I peeked around the drapes to get a picture to put in my 2010 Oriole file.The streak - stage left, finally came to rest after checking out the feeder. I kept seeing something flash by and surmised I was apart of a reconnaissance mission . A Ruby-throated male has found some a sweet treat. The feeder is now fulfilling its purpose. ;)

I really must fly...


Later!  ; )

Flannel Wearing Tomato

Oh yeah! Tomato wearing flannel...I am one of these gardeners that like to  push plants to their limits. I started my plants on March 1st . Sorting  three tomatoes out,putting them in pots to give them space to get a bigger root system... Heading me to the next level when it became apparent how good that decision was working. I wanted to risk one to the elements in an effort to get that first home-grown red juicy tomato at the earliest possible date.

We started getting whipped with extreme wind and the forecast for frost. I needed to find a solution so the tomato plant wouldn't become a victim of the elements lasting only a couple days.

I was feeling good about the steps I had taken to provide protection with an old flannel sheet - until a little while later, when I discovered the whole cage plastered up against the fence. My home-made,concrete reinforcing wire cage needed some anchoring to keep it from flying away...The cage got a tilt like the leaning Tower of Pisa, but couldn't get enough lift to take off, or fall completely over once I got the stakes in place.

The rain is here again! However, I believe it is time to shed the sheet and let the light in,what light is available. Temps are more acceptable, the sunshine is going to break-out come Friday,once more brightening the landscape for plant and human-kind. ;)

Timber Life Spring Fungus Review

The mighty Morel has finally arrived at Timber Life. The Morel season always seems to get a late start here in our timber. No matter where I look on our property during the prime hunting seasons elsewhere, not one little morsel becomes evident to the eye.

I have searched on different occasions, in different locations, at different times of the day...The way I became aware that the mushrooms were in waiting was mowing my yard, I found three. One was at the foot of an Oak tree and two at the foot of a big old Red Elm tree. That was my "AHA!" moment.

Silly me! I didn't stop mowing then and go search like I should have. Instead I continued my work. Once I decided to go look, I located them in a spot where most of our finds occur once they start popping. If I had gone earlier in the day I may have been able to catch them in an edible condition.



Hubby took his turn looking for some tasty treats after work once he discovered I had started finding them. In addition he pulled a brown oyster mushroom from it's hiding place. Again the morels were beyond edible so today maybe close to our last hope of finding some to saute.

This is one example of what I found a while back for the Brown Oyster mushroom just getting a colony started. Other colonies exist but we haven't harvested them for food, just getting more interested in seeing what is available in our little eco-system.

The weather was fantastic today - the garden called after some more mowing was done.

If anymore Morels popped I didn't see them after my mid-morning search. Maybe next year... ;)

Hendrickson Marsh Rejuvenation

Posted on April 30, 2010 by CDGardens
Several years ago a marsh in our neighborhood got a new lease on life. The choice was made to drain it, remove the fish that had caused it to become less desirable for the waterfowl on their migratory trips and allow the vegetation to gain a stronghold once again.

The aged sign shows a bit of public disrepect.



A great new visitors parking area has been created to give people a place to pull off the blacktop to sit and watch the now abundant bird activity for several months out of the Spring and Fall. A new boat ramp was built over on the other side.

The past picture, during the early stages of rejuvenation, clearly allows us to see the vegetation beginning to get a strong foundation before being flooded. The present picture, allows us to see what a pretty area has been developed for our feathered friends.

On one of my visits to this particular Marsh I stirred the winged visitors to a location a short distance away...just inside some plant growth extending above the waters surface.  I could go on but I think you get the picture. ;)

Happy Timber Life Sounds

Posted by on April 29, 2010 by CDGardens


Being out and about looking for the unusual Raptor that stopped by Timber Life recently, I decided to catch the morning sounds that had been giving me a treat as I work in my garden, trying to get it back in working order.

The video skill isn't super but will bring back memories for a peaceful retreat come the dead of next winter, when I need a boost into the new season once again. ;)

North Dakota Oil Field

Early morning has arrived at Oil Rig 23 located in Stanley, North Dakota. The morning shift  reported at 5:30 A.M. to start their day.

Son-in-law Justin has taken a job with a company called Bronco Drilling. His first assignment is on rig 23...

In the words of his wife," He is a floor hand, which is a grunt that helps where needed.

Tuesday, he was scrubbing buildings, helping rebuild motors, and working chains.

He works 7 days on and 7 days off. Justin stays at a catered camp with everything being provided for free."

 Stanley, North Dakota, is about 45 miles West of Minot, and has become a very active area for oil drilling developments since 2007. They are presently hiring new recruits to fill the vacancies.

Justin's cell phone self-portrait to let us all know his job isn't going to be one of working in a spotless environment. Oh the joy of laundry when he goes home!

The Rig Crew is able to request the types of food provided for their daily requirements. Quite a perk for these busy guys.















The work day ended at 6:00 P.M. and a new perspective of the oil derrick was visualized as the shadows at the other end of the day were starting to get long... :)



Thanks Justin... Great pictures from your phone!

Letter from the desk of Ray Scott - The Whitetail Institute of North America

I would like to send this out to all the hunters that visit my site. Maybe you have heard of TalkHunting.com ,  but if you haven't, an introduction by one of the companies I frequent has caught my attention, and I wanted to pass along the information .

It appears there is presently some outdoor product suppliers that are donating items to this  family oriented hunting website for monthly drawings.

Please read further to find out what products could  possibly become apart of your must haves simply by registering to become a member if you aren't already. Thanks for taking a look! ;)

Direct from the desk of Ray Scott
...
From:
Ray Scott - The Whitetail Institute of North America
...
 
Dear Fellow Hunters,

I'm writing to let you know about a website a friend of mine started called TalkHunting.com. This site is a lot like a real hunting camp. It's a great place for the whole family to talk about hunting and learn from each other in a clean, fun & family friendly atmosphere. And best of all, it's free!

There are lots of hunting-related sites on the web. I have decided to help get TalkHunting.com more recognition, though, for one main reason: I believe in what they're doing. It is designed to be educational and fun for hunters of all ages. And, it does it in a family atmosphere - foul language and other inappropriate things are not allowed at any time. In a nutshell, TalkHunting.com is a place where the whole family can learn about hunting, take advantage of all the tips and tactics used by hunters across the country, and most important - have fun together.

I mentioned that I have decided to help TalkHunting.com get more recognition because I believe in what they're doing. That's why my company, The Whitetail Institute, and other industry leading companies such as Hunter Safety Systems, Dead Down Wind, American Broadhead Company, Kolpin Powersports, Peep Eliminator, Bowie Outfitters, The Placita Ranch and many, many others, are donating products for them to give away free every month! To be eligible for free products, all you have to do is register at Talkhunting.com. That's all!


See you at TalkHunting.com

Sincerely,

Ray Scott
President, Whitetail Institute

_____________________________________________________________________

Thanks Ray!

To make this announcement even more exciting, we are going to allow everyone that responds to this email, and who is not already a member of TalkHunting, to enter into a drawing for some great prizes, even you decide not to register at TalkHunting.com. However, if you do register, we will add your name into the drawing FOUR times as a thank you for registering!

How to enter…

Simply visit http://www.talkhuntin.com/index.php?topic=17050.0 or click here and follow the instructions there.

Thanks for taking the time to look at this!



Your friend in the outdoors...

Robert "Hunt Master" Householder

_____________________________________________________________________

The Jokes on Her

I love this! A friend of Hubby's sent this to him. Then I stopped by YouTube ....I had to laugh!

Remind you of anyone? ;)

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. ;)