Larry A. Smail's Blog

Friday, May 13, found me listening intently  for any gobbling music. I was at a disadvantage this morning. A light rain was falling being pushed around in a light breeze. The rain falling, and the rain dropping off the trees caused audible senses to strain. Add to that fact of many crows loudly harassing an owl. Their raucous cawing began around twenty minutes after five, and they didn’t slack off until ten minutes after six! Needless to say I never heard any roosting birds. I did see some gobblers while driving home. they were strutting.

  I didn’t hunt long anyway for I had a list of errands I needed to do. We are having our Mother’s day cookout this coming Sunday since Laurie, and I, were both sick! Speaking of being sick, I must add that I am still not totally over that event!                

This morning, (May 14)I went through the motions again. I heard two gobblers and circled around to get above them. they weren’t very active at first. I heard them fly down late. However, I heard the calls of another hunter, and I suspected the local landowner’s grandson may be hunting. I later talked with him giving him blessings on those two gobblers. I wondered away trying to lure another gobbler with being vocal. It didn’t happen. I chased four deer down the ridge line. I walked a little to call. Nothing! A few more steps and there was the gobbler out ahead. I was done! had the deer alerted him of something amiss. maybe, he wouldn’t have gobbled anyway as the weather was turning into more gloom.

I, also, spotted a Barred Owl among the limbs.

Barred Owl

  I walked back towards the jeep stopping to do some field sketching for an upcoming painting. Eventually, I decided to call it a day. However, as I walked out I saw some things floating to the ground from a tulip tree.  I stopped. When I looked towards the ground I saw her…a nesting hen. I took two photos. Unfortunately, as I started to walk uphill she burst from the nest. I suspect she’ll return since she was incubating.

I could see the jeep when the rains began coming down. In short order the rains were pummeling the area.