Larry A. Smail's Blog

I wonder what happened to this little buck?

The temperatures are supposed to begin a rapid rise to the upper

Cherry Run

sixties through next week. Spring just may be here to stay this time. This morning, however, we had about an inch of fresh snow. I felt a desire to get out for hiking and look for photo taking opportunities.                  

I removed myself from home early and drove to my beloved Cherry Run country. The snow was still falling as I exited the car. Those falling flakes were certainly a beautiful sight.  Immediately, I saw deer tracks. I knew the day was going to be a good one!  

  Tracks abounded throughout my time afield. I saw ‘coon; mink; coyote; turkey; squirrel and fisher tracks. As I walked deer tracks were very common. Interestingly enough, I only saw one deer.  I found some deer beds. Those deer moved out way ahead of my approach.                    

Although, much of the ground was blanketed with snow, there were many areas were standing water was present. I imagine next week some of these areas will have the sounds from the Spring Peepers. Hearing those little tree frogs is a sure sign spring is close.

  One of those water areas yielded a Woodcock. Those little migratory birds are a sign of seasonal changes, too. My dad pointed out their mating rituals to me many years ago as a lad. I still enjoy hearing those sounds during gobbler season.                                                                                                            

Turkey tracks, and scratchings were fresh!  I continued walking along when about six gobblers began gobbling their heads off high on a steep hill. I saw a few turkeys fly from the hill onto the slope of the hill and trees.

I began climbing that steep hill to circle above them I was hoping for some photos. The plan worked! I could see feeding birds out ahead. I bravely took chances to get to a place where photos may be possible.

Morning hint of sun.

I called and gobbled a few times. The birds stopped their feeding. My silence eventually moved the gobblers towards me. Two jumped up on a log, but I couldn’t get my camera on them. I waited.  A few minutes more I had six, or seven, gobblers all around. I managed to take over twenty photos before they figured me out and went airborne.

1942 or 43 Ford. I see a painting idea forming!

The snow was beginning to melt by ten o’clock. Was this winter’s last hurrah?  I’ll let you know!