Monday, February 14, 2011

(18) February 2011

     Greetings from "Observation Hill".  Winter seems to be dragging on very slowly.
     Yesterday I saw a doe within twenty minutes of arriving.  She was in excellent condition.  The temperature  was almost 50 degrees!  Really makes me desire spring  though I know there is still at least six weeks before we will see warmer weather.
      This winter I took an online course from Penn Foster.  It was a twenty unit course on Wildlife and Forestry Conservation.  The knowledge gained was very helpful for me to better understand the "Realm" around me and gives me much to think about for this spring and summer.
     I also purchased about thirty new books pertaining to natural history.  I have read most of them and am looking forward to studying the "realm" this spring and summer. 
     I have decided to take down the fence around the cabin.  It has kept the deer out but not the bears.  I feel I have alienated myself and want to let any wildlife as near as possible,  if they eat the plants, so be it.  I think I will plant various fruits and grasses and vegetables that the wildlife will enjoy.  I purchased a new stereo microscope with camera that will allow me to put pictures on the computer to share with everybody, so look for pics of the tiny creatures coming soon.  I am very excited about this season coming as I plan to study the pond and transplant some small fish and see how they will do.  As the pond is surrounded by swamp I would like to build a dock through the swamp to the pond. so I can enjoy it more.
      
      I made some brush piles hoping rabbits would move in but have not seen any yet.  I was very suprised early this winter when upon arrival I spotted this turkey checking out the corn.  I have seen these birds in the area but never in the "Realm".  I hope they will come more often.
     Well, I hope everyone enjoys their own little spot in the world, I know I am.