First campout this spring

I guess it could have been the last camping of February or the end of the small- game hunting seasons, but my glass is usually half- full... so there. It was a great outing, with a full moon, cool weather, lots of bird activity, and NO bugs. This was a site I've been wanting to camp for a long time; but it's somewhat remote and I just never seemed to get around to it. It's a little finger- ridge that juts out in a bend of Panther Creek, and has bluffs on three sides. My reasoning was that it would not likely be on a deer trail, so I could sleep peacefully without those critters waking me with rude snorting, every time they wandered by. It worked out, mostly... only had one deer come along and snort. It was not effective for the hoot- owls, however.

Good time, good company. Good grub, too. But I can now, from experience, recommend light- weight cookware for backpacking, over Dutchovens.

"Well, I thought Spring was here"

The egret stands out among his bleak surroundings. Remember, the alligator saw his shadow... it aint' over, yet. There's a stark kind of beauty in the winter woods, that I like. It makes the critters and the bits of color easier to spot, and adds sort of a "framing" effect. And the mosquitoes are not chewing on you! Buds and bugs will be popping out soon, though.

Whooo's in the swamp?

Spring is near; I enjoyed a warm afternoon hike through the swamp. Barbara, the barred owl, was on her favorite perch. Her boyfriend was downhill in the wetland, checking on prospective nest sites.

Almost Spring

It was a pretty afternoon in the swamp; a warm, quiet spell ahead of the approaching winter storm. The swamp still looked a shade of grey, but there were buds forming and critters were getting busy. Lots of little birds hopped and flittered and scratched here and there. One of the resident hoot- owls was on her favorite perch. I jumped two pair of wood ducks, and they went whistling through the bare trees. One pair stopped to pose, the colorful male on a lower limb and his more- camouflaged mate above.

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.

Happy New Year

These guys seem to be enjoying the winter sun. Visiting the swamp two days after Christmas, and it's turned off warm and sunny. We've had cold and snow and lots of rain, and now this pleasant promise of springtime.

Sneaux on the hills

Well, it snowed in the hills last night; an oddity for this part of the country. Big, fluffy wet flakes were falling and there was a good blanket at 10 pm. But the ground was too warm and, by morning, it was just a mottling in the clearings and nothing under the trees. Temperature was 32 at daybreak, so the stuff up in the trees stayed and was pretty. Only openings on north- facing hillsides kept their coverage into the morning. I didn't see any deer, before or after the "blizzard". Sun was shining and trees started dripping about 8:30. And I came out of the woods when the big blobs of snow started falling from the treetops.

Leaf color in the swamp

Autumn seems to have arrived. A bit more color is showing, since the frost. But the leaves are falling as fast as they are coloring. The view is still worth a stroll in the woods.

Leaf Peeping

A warm, pleasant Sunday afternoon in the swamp. There was considerable frost on Friday, our first one of the year. I had expected some leaf color, but maybe it is still developing.

side- lighting

It was a pretty evening in the swamp. The sun was sinking across the Big Muddy, casting sidelights on the moon and the treetops. Temperature was beginning to drop and the swamp critters were scrounging their supper.

Mobility is good

Wow, hunting trips have been sparse, lately. I had a pleasant visit to my home- woods, and a pretty weekend. It was even cool enough Saturday night for me to kindle a fire in the stove... how's that for cooperative weather! Lots of squirrrels and birds were active. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes were active, too. I scouted and hunted a little. A doe came by my stand about sunset Saturday... looked small, young. Couldn't see much detail; she was kinda far and through some brush. Got my blood pumping, but Boss Buck didn't follow her through there.

I scrubbed and curried the leaves and bugs off of me, and went to the old family church Sunday morning; it was nice to visit the cousins.

Halloween sunshine

This ol’ water snake found a place to enjoy a dappling of sunshine. It was a pretty day in the swamp; great to get outdoors; still and quiet, blue sky and comfortable temperature. And I had been hemmed in too much, lately.

Fall is my favorite time in the hills

Well, the year rolled around and archery deer season opened October 1st. I squirmed and bit my nails, and finally got away Saturday afternoon for a trip to the woods. I had done zero scouting, my trails were overgrown, and I was short on time. The creek had gone down since the rains, to its usual few inches of depth, but the quicksand assured that I would start off with wet feet.

It was great to be home again, immersed in the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of the Tunica Hills at the best season of the year. I didn’t have time to be choosey about stand location; I just squatted among some bushes, at a spot I had hunted in previous years. Although I sat until dark, no deer moved within my sight or hearing. Perhaps, with the thick undergrowth, recent rain, and cool conditions, the deer are not moving around much for food and water.

I saw a few squirrels in the area, and two barred owls flew into a tree nearby. After quite a conversation of honks, hoots, and cackles, one of the owls flew to another tree and a squirrel started barking there. Then the other owl flew over. The squirrel stopped barking, but I couldn’t tell whether the owls managed to get their supper or the squirrel escaped their hunting party.

Labor Day Biking to Farr Park

I took advantage of the day off: I had long been wanting to ride the levee trail down to Farr Park. It was midday when I arrived, and mighty quiet at the park. The park staff was probably off for the holiday, but there were a few RVs in the campground. I would like to experiment with camping/ touring on my bicycle, and this park would be a convenient destination for some shakedown camp- outs. I need to talk to their staff and learn whether they have tent sites, how much the fees are, and how to make arrangements. It would be fun, in cooler weather, to go with a group and socialize over supper and a nice campfire. I mounted the Levee Trail from Oklahoma Street; it’s paved and very smooth from town to LSU. Easy riding, except for the dog- walkers and joggers who blocked up both sides of the bike lanes… then, there were also bikers in the pedestrian lane. South of LSU, the levee was topped with gravel, and prudence dictated a slower pace… still not bad riding for the mountain bike… with front suspension and lugged tires. And not many other people on that section. A nice clearing had been maintained between levee and river… I think it must be where the sunken chlorine barge was raised. Wow, that was nearly half a century ago. It was made into a park, for a while… maybe still is (gotta check on that).