End of the season

It was a pretty day in the hills, and I noticed that the trillium is beginning to grow. Trillium is one of the earliest spring greenings, and it makes me glad when I spot them. Got cold about 9 am. Weak rays of sun were feeling good on my back, but the wind soon started and had me shivering. By afternoon, the temperature had warmed quite pleasantly. I saw a few squirrels and lots of birds today, but no deer. And it's the last day of the season. Maybe next year...

Sun- bathing in January

It was a beautiful springlike afternoon in the swamp. Br'er turtle was soaking up some rays... see how he is smiling? Shirtsleeve temperatures and sunshine were nice to me, too. But we'd best not get spoiled, 'cause there will be more frosty mornings next week.

Sunset in the woods

Sundown is a pretty time of day. As the sun slips beyond the hills, distinct shadows blend into the gathering gloom. Quite a show plays out overhead, where the last rays keep the treetops ablaze for a while longer. Dimming light in the bottomland brings squirrels out to forage, and the singing, fluttering, hopping birds of the day retire in favor of the less vocal species which scratch about in the leaf litter; and the owls which hoot in the distance or silently wing through the trees. The deer will begin filtering from their beds to favorite browsing areas.

Tricky crossing

That log is difficult to walk. With the bark skinned off, it is slick; shape is round, with ridges and knots; a bit of mud or ice really makes it interesting.

My turn comes next.

Weather cleared and warmed up, yesterday; but I don't think winter is over. There were some nice, new signposts and way- markers along the Bluebonnet Swamp trails. Great idea to enhance the experience of new and infrequent visitors. some folks are intimidated by the prospect of getting lost in the "swamp". It looks a little bleak with all the foliage down, but the Great Circle will roll and buds will be popping out soon.

Loup Garou

It was a beautiful day in the swamp, cool and sunny, lots of birds and squirrels. Nearing the end of my walk, I saw the swamp monster across the water,crouching in the undergrowth. See him? Just left of that big tupelo. I snapped a picture as I slipped away.. don't think he noticed me... at least he didn't give chase.

New Year's in the hills

I had a pretty weekend for New Year’s. After the cold front, the skies cleared, the moon was full, and the nights were chilly. Big frost Saturday morning quickly burned off, and the sun warmed things pleasantly. I saw lots of busy critters during that Saturday afternoon warmth. Birds were fluttering around the branches, squirrels and chipmunks were hopping and rustling leaves. I even saw two armadillos… thought they should be holed up this time of year.

I was bow- hunting, of course. About sundown, I saw noticed some movement up the hollow; someone was waving a candelabra with white candlesticks in it. There… I saw it move again, up and down… had to be a big buck. He was far out of bow range, maybe a hundred yards, and was off through some limbs and leaves. I never could make out the body of the deer, and never saw him leave… just a glimpse of that big rack. Maybe tomorrow. Oh boy, when the sun sank below the hills Saturday evening, temperatures dropped quickly; and I was already shivering from the sight of those big antlers. I was glad to get back home to my cabin… simple pleasures of fat- pine kindling and the warm glow of a lantern.

The creek channel had narrowed and deepened and I’d been crossing on a fallen log. I had scrounged up a pole to assist my crossing… didn’t trust my balance over the water… thank you, Mr. Beaver, for cutting that sapling. The water was only about knee- deep, even allowing for the possibility of some quicksand; but that water looked cold. Sunday morning, early, I had no trouble crossing the log, but my return was precarious. It was still cold and now the wind was whistling around my ears and down my collar. When I stepped out on that log, it was icy! Maybe my earlier tread had slicked down the frost atop the log. I was almost skating off the sides with every step… I was grateful to have the pole to get me through such an exciting dance across the log.

I hated to break camp and go back to the real world, with those bucks rubbing trees and working scrapes. Gotta get back there soon; full moon ought to really get their juices flowing in the next few days.