Larry A. Smail's Blog

  I believed this morning would be one with plenty of gobbling. I was wrong. I heard one gobble far away. I stood along a hillside

Wood Thrush

listening in the early moments and did hear a hen. I believed a gobbler was near. If the big boy was around he failed to utter a peep.

Disappointed, I quickly moved back to the jeep and moved up the opposite hill to listen. As I approached the top the subtle, and barely audible, gobble was heard. I would eventually work to that area, but I couldn’t stir the gobbler up. He, probably, went across a field into posted property.

The nest

I made a big circle on this ridge where I heard the gobbler. As I crossed a steep hollow to move diagonally uphill I heard a commotion next to me as a hen erupted from her nest. I counted seventeen eggs in the nest. I certainly hope the hen returns and doesn’t abandon the nest.

I would return to the earlier hill to listen. I entered a woodlot next to a field where I read yesterday’s mail. I brought along to read a newsletter from the Pennsylvania Gun Owners’ Association. A buck walked to within twelve feet of me as I read. I would be listening as I read and called occasionally. However, it was chilly in the tree’s shade so I decided to enter the field’s edge to enjoy the sun’s warmth. here I laid back and dozed off at times. One time when I opened my eyes I could see three Turkey Vultures circling over me. One was very close.

I remained until 10:30 before moving along a ridge calling and listening. No luck.