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I Have the Blahs!

Posted in 2011 Spring Gobbler Season, Wildflowers on May 19, 2011| 4 Comments »

Fire Pink

More rain! I don’t remember a spring with as much rain as we have had this year. I hate to admit it , but, I have the blahhhhhhhhs. Most turkeys seem to have it too. I heard two gobbles (maybe a third muffled one as I circled the hill behind where I thought he was.) and didn’t have a chance to locate him.

Feroce box call

I was fortunate once again to hear the woodcock doing his mating ritual. These little birds fly into the air in the pre-dawn or dusk to then do a spiraling descent. They land and do the raspy call that sounds similar to the word “snipe”. This little guy landed on the gas well road I was on and close. I used my flashlight to attempt to see him. I followed the sound, but the sound is very deceiving. The sound seems to always be just ahead of where you believe he is. This occurred three times while I waited. I, also, saw two of the red fox puppies. (kits)

A Kotchey slate call

Anyway, once the silence was realized, I began a walk and call tour about the area. I couldn’t muster a gobble if hearing it would save my life. I did see six deer and several squirrels while I walked about.

Later, I drove to the site where I saw the two turkeys yesterday in the rain. I toured that area without an utterance. I settled into a beautiful woods, called and sat down on a log. I placed the shotgun across my lap and placed my chin into my left hand to wait and listen. I fell asleep! I realized just how tired I was over these several weeks of early mornings, hill and holler walks and little sleep. I decided to walk and call back towards the vehicle and go home for some rest.

A Gilbert custom call

I walked along a mowed fence row to avoid the high, mid-thigh grasses. I called and soon saw three turkeys out front. Of course, they didn’t answer and I spooked them. One was definitely a gobbler. the other two appeared to be toms. I just had a glimpse of them before they ran into the woods. The Smail curse strikes again!

Upon returning home and eating, I laid down for a nice nap before heading off to look for footware…DRY FOOTWARE!

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I have included a few photos of turkey calls from my vast collection. The box call, shown above, was made for me by my friend, Kip Feroce. This call was created from sycamore wood .Check out his web site at: http://ferociouscalls.com/

The slate call is from another friend, Shawn Kotchey. I met Shawn over a year ago. Another friend, Dana Gould and I hunted his land last fall. Shawn showed me how to make a diaphragm turkey call while we visited his home. His company is: Millcreek valley Game Calls. His web site is: http://millcreekvalleygamecalls.com/

The third call was a gif t from Lonnie Gilbert of Ohio. He doesn’t have a web site yet. His company is: Buckeye Boxes.

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Instincts

Posted in 2011 Spring Gobbler Season, Wildflowers on May 18, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Golden ragwort

I debated heading to the woods this morning. Instinctively I didn’t have a positive feeling of hearing birds. This stagnant low pressure system has the birds in the area I have been concentrating on gobbling very little. Yesterday, I didn’t go out hunting. Allergies were bothering me and I decided to stay in and work on the Gettysburg painting.

Wet woods!

However, today the moon and stars were shining as I left the house. At 5:00, the clouds were thickening and at 5:45 A.M. the woods were actually darker than at 5:15 A.M.! I traveled back and forth a hill-top trying to hear a gobble on both sides. I covered a mile while actually traveling only several hundred yards in any given direction.

I did see 3 red fox kits early on and was thrilled to hear two woodcocks in the midst of their mating ritual that consists of interesting flying patterns along with whistling and a “snipe-like” call. I called at a half-dozen strategic areas before deciding to go home and paint. The wet feet by 6:00 just wasn’t cutting it this morning and besides I have painting to do! While in transit, I noticed two gobblers in a pasture field under a tree. They just stood still with heads tucked in during a rain.

I did see a few minutes of a beautiful sunrise attempt. The filtered sun with dramatic clouds was an impressive view.

My friend , Frank Maus lucked into a gobbling bird on the roost and a harvest. Congrats! Frank told me he hadn’t heard any gobblers the two previous days. This morning was my first time out to not hear a gobbler. I quit and stopped in at my mother’s home for breakfast by 7:30.

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Savor the Moment

Posted in 2011 Spring Gobbler Season, Misc. Nature, Wildflowers on May 16, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Dogwoods galore!

My recent routine is to travel through the pre-dawn grays to wait and listen for a gobbler to announce his presence. This morning was no different for I traveled up the hill in an area that just glows. Hundreds and hundreds of dogwood trees dot the landscape with millions and millions of blossoms. Scattered among these trees are many crabapple trees , also, in bloom with pink flowers. Add to this are autumn olive and honeysuckle with their beautiful blossoms. The fragrances are non stop. Savor the moment!

My earliest remembrance of this area was in the latter 1960s. My dad and I would hunt morels in the adjourning woods. At this time, this area was abandoned pasture lands covered with various vegetation; briars and small trees and saplings. Today, those saplings are trees. I transplanted some wild geraniums from my place to this wooded area.

I walked to within 10 steps of a deer before it noticed me and bolted. I saw 5 deer today. About that same time I heard a gobble two hollows away. I immediately took off in pursuit.

Canada Mayflower

I crept in close to the still roosted bird. I guess I was no more than 100-130 yards away. The woods was relatively open. I had crept to the same level of him. Things were looking good. Soon I called and was greeted with an answer. I stopped calling and another gobble exploded. I then heard two yelps and two clucks….a hen! I never heard that gobbler again.

Bob's decoy

I went back across to check out Bob and his experiences. He had seen two deer and a hen turkey approaching his decoy. Around 10:00 I reentered the area where I had heard the gobbler only to tour the country without any response. The birds, no doubt, went well into the posted lands.

Pennsylvania, for the first time has full day gobbler hunting during the last two weeks. This seemed weird as I walked up hill at another site. I checked out some areas where I had worked or heard gobblers earlier this season. No luck today.

Rufous-sided Towhee

While setting and waiting for a gobble I was fortunate to observe a pileated woodpecker up close and personal. The crow-sized bird was about 15 feet from me pecking on a log and even walking about the ground. The woodpecker flew up to a nearby aspen and I realized that a nest was within a cavity on that tree.

I am assuming that besides hens, the low pressure system that has settled in for a few days may be curtailing gobbling activity. It is supposed to last into Thursday. Maybe my soaked feet are causing the birds to head for other hills. (sarcasm)

Yellow warbler

Other sightings included a red fox kit; ‘possum; several squirrels and a host of warblers and other birdlife. Of course, I will be out again tomorrow!

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Five Miles In The Woods

Posted in Hikes, My Family, Wildflowers, Wildlife on April 21, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Owl pellet

: False Hellebore

: Bob walking the plank

After Bob and I ate a hearty breakfast, we left Susie (my springer spaniel) and mom to fend for themselves at home. We entered the woods after 9:00 to study the Cherry Run area for turkey signs and whatever else we could observe.

The first obstacle we encountered was crossing the gas line bridge. the wood planks have been long gone especially from Hurricane Ivan, but two pipes still exist. Bob, at 76, does very well except when I torment him. This was to be another torment. He was about half way across these pipes and I accidentally began to shake the bridge. (accidents do happen) I expressed my sorrow with a smile.

We discovered some turkey sign at the two places we walked. We saw nine deer; two squirrels; pileated woodpecker; two hens and a gobbler. We heard some yelping father along, but back, in the woods.

The honeysuckle and multiflora rose are already greened out. The other trees are always slower. As the trek continued I noticed a small gray-colored mass among the forest floor. The mass had obvious bones in it. This is owl regurgitation. Owls eat their prey whole and their digestive system push out hair, feathers and bones into an “owl pellet.” Study of a pellet can realize the victim at many times.

Other things of interest, at least to me is the plant life. Today, I found delicate spring flowers known as the rue anemone and others known as Dutchmen’s Breeches. Another plant I like if the false hellebore. This plant has a tropical look once it matures. They grow and flourish along streams and wetlands. I have planted this plant on my property. However, come summer they have completed their annual cycle and begin to turn brown and fade off the scene until next spring.

Unfortunately, we observed some things that are negative. Why people feel a need to abuse other lands has always forced me to wonder. Beer cans are often viewed along farmer’s lanes and gas well roads. Today was no different. We looked into the winter wheat fields and it was easy to see the doughnut tracks caused by ATV and other 4-wheel drives. No wonder the farmer posted his land.

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Hike Around My Homestead

Posted in Hikes, Misc. Nature, My Family, Wildflowers on April 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »

My step father, Bob and I went for a several mile hike this morning around the hills where I was raised in the Silvis Hollow area. The day was beautiful and we needed the exercise and why not combine the two for a great trek.

Bloodroot

We walked along the road and turned and walked the length of what is known as Coffee Hollow. The return walk went in a different direction across fields and small woodlots. (Our feet became wet!) We saw a turkey at the field’s corner, but failed to get a positive look as to what sex the bird was. I saw the first dandelion of the season along with two brown thrashers..

My mother watched Susie, my springer spaniel while we walked. Later I took Susie for a small walk just for some more exercise.

Hepatica

A home, I walked the property examining the flower growth. I enjoy checking on the rapid growth each spring. Besides the non-native daffodils and hyacinths I have plenty of native flowers planted. I dig some up and transplant them to areas in the wilds where they are non-existent or rare due to past poor land practices by mankind.

Currently, I have hepatica and bloodroot blooming. The Dutchman’s breeches are about to bloom as are the Virginia Bluebells. Some trilliums are getting buds forming too.

I have been watching a hen turkey close to the house on two different occasions. Last year she raised a nice flock of turkeys. I would guess around 12-15 survived into adulthood.

I did see another hen and deer near my homestead while traveling .

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A Needed Hike

Posted in Hikes, Wildflowers on March 21, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Kittanning (looking north- early March)

I was working on the “Wheatfield” Civil War painting and yardwork and many other items. A little hike was in need since the day was pleasant and rain was coming later. I chose to walk south of Kittanning, Pennsylvania along the Rails to Trails. The trek would continue up and over to a mile long wood lot.

I saw about six or so walkers and one biker on the trail. Also, I could easily observe that the river is still rather high, being slow to recede. I didn’t see any waterfowl on the waters this day. Of course, I always keep an eye for the white of an eagle’s head.

Early Dame's Rocket

The green up of spring has been started for all of those willing to observe. The travels would locate a number of various flowers in their “rosette” stage of growth. A rosette is a cluster of leaves of certain flowers visible at ground level. Often a dry stalk from last year may be present. The specie I saw this day were the common mullein, garlic mustard, teasel and Dame’s Rocket. I, also, saw lots of wild onion here and there.

The mullein, at this stage, has a very velvety gray-green set of leaves at ground level blooming in summer. The teasel is often used by dried flower arrangers. The blossom dries into a oval-shaped mass often spray painted and used for decorating.

The garlic mustard is an invasive plant seen in mass in early spring with white flowers. I have eradicated them at my landscaping by about 95%!

Teasel

The “Teasel” is often used in dried flower arrangements. Arrangers will often spray paint them. Be careful when handling them for the dry flower has some slight spikes.

Wildlife was abundant this hike. I saw chipmunks; ground hogs (woodchucks); and plenty of bird life.

Ground Hog

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“Critters”

Posted in Wildflowers, Wildlife on March 21, 2011| 1 Comment »

Ring-necked ducks

March is a great month for firsts. This is a time when a number of “critters” reconvene back to good “ole” Pennsylvania to begin their annual courtship and mating cycles. Although, a native, I noticed the first groundhog of the spring on March 7th. The little guy seemed slightly confused as it walked along a barren field of white. The snow was still a ground cover on that date. I guess the internal clock caused a stir and a time to see what is up at ground level. I have seen several more since that date.

A true first of the year appeared for me on March 10th. I heard that unmistakable call of the killdeer. That “misplaced plover” is a field bird , whereas most plovers are shore birds. The killdeer lays its eggs in sparse covered fields or barren areas.

On March 16th, I needed to go to Dayton, Pennsylvania to meet a friend, Dana Gould, and another gospel musician named Michael Coates. We are planning to do some gospel music at the Dayton United Methodist Church on April 2nd. I decided to go cross-country to see what wildlife would be available to observe. I took some horse photos too. I needed some reference detail for a painting.

Turkeys! I saw a flock of about 20 birds in one area. Also, I saw a lone gobbler at about 200 yards. I could easily see his beard with the naked eye. At a water hole I saw a lot of geese and about a dozen of a migrant known as te ring-necked duck. A handsome little duck! I saw the first red-winged blackbirds this day too.

On March 18th while heading to a banquet of the Alamos Square at Frogtown I saw another flock of turkeys and a lone gobbler near Sherrett, PA. I heard my first spring peepers at dusk this day. I love to hear that little tree frog. My dad would always make sure I was aware of them as a young boy. They would be at a nearby pond.

I would see a small flock of gobblers near Kittanning. This area is an annual siting place. I saw several great-blue herons this week and some squirrels too.We had some wonderfully pleasent weather as of recent. This allowed for some much needed yard work to be completed.

Coltsfoot

Also, I have noticed the first coltsfoot flowers peeking out. Those yellow blossoms brighten the drab-colored forest floor.

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Fishing and Wildflowers

Posted in Fishing, Wildflowers on July 15, 2010| 2 Comments »

On Monday, July 12th, my friend, Frank Maus and I spent some quality time trolling for muskies. Although we didn’t catch any we enjoyed the day on the Allegheny River. (I jinxed him!) We did see deer; gulls and other things of interest. I saw one muskie at the surface of the water.

The mouth of Fort Run flowing into the Allegheny River.

Today, July 15th, I fished a little south of the lock at Kittanning, PA. I failed to have any luck too. (Frank jinxed me from afar!) I saw some mallards; gulls and a plover. I watched two young fellers wade across to the island. They were waist deep.

The island.

I decided to do some exploring for whatever I could find of interest. Wildflowers seemed to take the priority since many were in blossom along the shoreline.