(21) We still have snow- But now, a better outlook!

     March is almost over and still we have too much snow on the ground.  So spoiled last year with all snow gone by the 15th and unusually warm weather.  Oh well, we take what we can get.
     Yesterday while at "Observation Hill" I saw two chipmunks in the snowy arena vying for sunflower seeds and also saw a robin.  Juncos are passing through and goldfinches are back.
     I am thinking about plans for a small addition.  Comtemplating the pros and cons.  I don't really want the extra expense but a little extra room would be nice.  I am only thinking about 25-30 sq ft.  Anyway, more on that later. 
     Purchased a new camera and have plans for various research through the season.  I am very excited about that.
     Here are a few thoughts about winter via a poem I wrote in December-

WINTER COMFORT

Walking through the "Realm" fingers numbing,
Snow crunching under foot, toes throbbing.
Stick in hand to keep from falling,
A chickadee lites nearby all curiousity.

I stop to gaze and listen,
To the wind above, through the limbs.
Below, the tracks of those who live here.
In the snow that yeilds and glistens.

I wonder who has passed most recently,
Is it the deer or squirrel or both?
It matters not, they live here.
Me only a traveler on their path.

I shudder quietly with winters weather,
Not enjoying but enduring.  That I must.
If I want to be, and go where I want,
This path must I take and feel the brunt.

I see through the trees not far off,
The destination I desire.  The hill of observation.
With patience I employ my means of desire,
To make the "Hill" and light the fire.

My heart enlightens as progress unveils,
The gate that I enter that allows me haven.
A place to relax and warm up,
To be where I want, winter comfort.

The stove I light, the pot on high,
Warm liquid inside to thaw and revive.
I put out seeds for energy for the birds,
And wait for the warmth, to return, to observe.

I look around and breath forms a cloud,
To cover the panes and walls all 'round,
Pleased, I see the books on their shelves,
Soon, the warmth overtakes the cold of the Realm.

Winter comfort is here in this place I have built,
To be with nature and Earth and solitude.
Not excessive in the scene before me,
Winter comfort alludes to the place I should be.

Until later,  enjoy your space.

(20) Another Spring is Here!

I entered the "Realm" yesterday.   The sun was shinning and the temp was just above 40 degrees.  I got to "Observation Hill"  and loaded up the feeders.  Birds flocked immediately and I was pleased.  I made a cup of coffee and added a dollop of vodka to help warm the bones and watched.  I got a couple of good pictures and suddenly I noticed a chipmunk, the first of the season!  A huge smile crossed my face as I watched and I remember saying "Yeah" to myself.  So small yet so important to me. 
     My truck stayed in the woods all winter as I got stuck just after the first snow fall and decided to leave it there.  I stuck the key in and she fired off right away.  It shouldn't be long and I will be able to get her out once again. 

(19) On being another

     I sometimes wish that I was the deer, knowing what my life was to be, and what to do.  As long as I stayed in the "Realm", I would be safe.  If I crossed the line I would be in danger of man and his gun or the speed of a car and man's lack of attention.
     I could be in the woods during my life with the rest of nature.  The song of the bird and the yip of the coyote would be my neighbors, neither of who I would be obliged to converse.  No madness of sporting events, politics or religion- the foolishness of cell phones or disasters of the world elsewhere.  The greed of man beyond that of food, clothing and shelter.
     However, coming upon the gift (of man), the occasional pile of corn or an apple to enjoy.  Man is few and far between, at least the dangerous ones.  My instints would keep me from most trouble.  I would run with my fellow deer when the season was right or follow my own course in the summer, bedding down at night on a hill for observation and a clear get-a-way if needed.
     I would eat of the fresh grasses and new leaves in the spring and scrape the snow in winter for the hidden acorn.
     I would look up at the cry of a bluejay under duress and the danger warning of the nearby chipmunk.
     I would mate with my kind in late fall or early winter and enjoy my young for a year after.
     Mother Earth would control our population and I would not take from her more than she gave.
     My specie would carry on as long as Mother Earth wanted us-unless man took us first, as happens all too often. 
    

(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.

(17) From Observation Hill

October 18, 2010

     Greetings from "Observation Hill"  This photo is my desk situated on the East side of my tiny cabin.  From here I do, well, what I do; observe.  I also, write, draw, read, eat and of late have been planning the next volume of "Realm of the Eighty" The Biota of the Realm with views from "Observation Hill".  In this next volume I will have begun to examine the Biota of the Realm which is vast and could probably not be accomplished in a single lifetime but I will enjoy exploring what I can, while I can.  Also I will include details of my observation center, also known as "Observation Hill".  Plans include details about the remodeling of the cabin, Essays about personal thoughts, poetry and generally what I am thinking.  The book will be in three parts including;  Photography, drawings and sketches.
     Fall is upon us and we have had an excellent October, blessed with warm weather.  There has been an observed shift in the seasons as noted by summer birds leaving, more year-round bird activity.  Bears getting fat and ready for winter and the Deer have changed their colors.  I see less of my Chipmunk friends.  They have to be fat and sassy as they have not had to rely on gathering as usual but have full storage rooms of sunflower seeds, probably enough for several life times.

This picture was captured last night by my trail cam just a few feet from my front door.  Even though the resolution is not great you can easily see these bears are fat and happy.  The Sow, I guesstimate at between three hundred and fifty and four hundred pounds.  The cubs, who will stay with "Mom" for about a year are about eighty to ninety-five pounds.  The first time I saw them last spring, they were about fifteen to twenty pound, little balls of fur!  I give them a few goodies now and then to help fatten them up even more.  


    My experiences here thus far have been more than fulfilling.  

     




    


 I built this fence around the compound as an experiment to deter Bear and Deer from coming into the compound and destroying things.  I have succeeded in deterring the Deer but the Bear are still climbing over somehow and knocking over the bird bath and causing general but minor turmoil.  Oh well, after all, this is their land I have invaded.  Perhaps I will dispense with the fence in the Spring.






      I began an online course from Penn-Foster, "Forestry and Wildlife Conservation"  to increase my personal knowledge and help gain a better understanding of what I am doing here.  Who knows, I may be able to get part-time employment in the field as well.  Maybe even some government study right here in the "Realm".  Time will tell.

     Anyway, I am having the time of my life.  See you at the next Post and thank you for looking. 

(16) July 20

     The wait is over, the cabin remodel is complete.  Unfortunately, my friend was not able to saw my siding so I purchased from a local mill, roughsawn lap siding.  I am very satisfied with the results.  Below are a few pictures of the project.  Complete details and photos will be available this fall when I publish volume 2.

     Besides the cabin project, my days have been filled with other things.  I built a White Birch fence around the entire cabin from downed or dead trees.  I have reconstructed my paths to the cabin and have added more rock borders along the paths.  I cleared a few trees to allow more sunlight to the cabin area.  Of course I planted more flowers and also planted some  pines as well.  I built an out house attached to the water tower.  I have maintained the miles of walking trails and have continued my research of the "Realm". 

     As John Burroughs said," If you wait, nature will come to you."  This is so true.  I have my usuals.  Mama Doe is still around.  So are her young, though, she has sent them on their way and shuns them when they get close.  There are many squirrels and at night the raccoons come around to have a bite if there is anything available.  I have a pesky young bear who I call "Little Smoky"  who hangs around constantly although I try to convince him not to hang around. 

     Much of my enjoyment comes from the chipmunks.  Their ranks have grown to thirteen!  I cleared a small area where I feed them sunflower seeds.  I call this area "The Arena"  They are my little gladiators  What a show they put on, I watch them for hours.  Sometimes they get a little rough. 

     I have taken hundreds of photographs of wildlife and flora and fauna which will be detailed and classified in this falls book.
     We have been fortunate to have more rain so far and that is good.  I am having the time of my life here in the "Realm"  Enjoy the pics. More to come.  Thanks for looking.  Click on any pics to enlarge.

(15) April Jottings

Everything is wonderful in the "Realm".  The Aspens and Maples are showing their tiny new leaves.  Ferns are popping from the ground as well as the day lilies.

Work is progressing on the cabin at "Observation Hill".

On Friday the 9th I started framing the new roof rafters, by Monday the plywood was installed and the roofing felt was nailed down just in time for the much needed rain on Wednesday. 

On Thursday the 15th I installed the fascia, a nice little touch, and stapled on the tyvek.  I have secured the roofing shingles, generously donated by a friend and will lay those next week.  I am still waiting for the siding to be sawn and that should be soon.

I am very excited about all of the progress, however, I don't think I will make the May 1st deadline so I will have to push that ahead a bit.  I am confident it will be mostly done by the middle of May allowing me to concentrate on the biota of the "Realm" and to begin collecting data for this falls expected Volume two of "The Realm of the Eighty".  Thanks for looking.