Treasurer of FOTMWC

First they said, "you should join the board of directors", and then they wondered if I might consider being the treasurer.    And today they lowered the bar and gave me the key.   Truth is, the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex do a lot of great things to protect, enhance, and expand the effort to preserve the wetlands and the wildlife that depend on it.  Tonight Linda and I were observing our assigned area in hopes of seeing Short Eared Owls, which we did not.   But we did see 5 Northern Harriers with one juvenile flying right by us.  A bit of citizen science that gives us great pleasure to assist in.

Snowy Owl

This owl has recently taken up residence (oddly) at the local outlet mall.  Its a juvenile.   Rumor has it that the lemming crop up in the arctic north was very good this year, which means the crop of Snowy Owls was excellent as well, and the juveniles are forced to migrate in search of hunting territory for the winter.   So we get to see them rarely but its nice when we do.

Ancient Hickory

The stump of this old Shagbark Hickory fell to the ground last week.  I have no idea how old it was, but 150 years would be conservative.  The tree died 5-10 years ago and all that remained for a long time was a 15' high stump that Red Tailed Hawks like to perch on in their quest for the next meal.  When it was a young tree in the middle of this field, there were no tractors, no cars going down the road, no perennial glow in the sky from the lights in Newark.  Hickory decomposes fairly quickly.  In a very few years it will be completely recycled.  I hope to replant a tree or two near that spot this spring to carry on the tradition.

Video test

Same ball of string.... I've got to learn not to turn the camera sideways when making a video.... but the effect is kinda neat...................

Photo testing

To test the photo options on this blog.... here is a picture of the burning twine ball from the Solstice fire.

Honeysuckle Popper

Thats the name of a commercial tool to pry out small shrubs.   I had already welded up a bar to pry burdocks out by the roots ( to keep them from growing back so quickly).   After seeing the 'popper', I welded on a foot to give me more leverage with larger stuff.   Its still good exercise, but it works well.

New Blog

I couldn't remember where my old blog was so I started a new one.  This is a test.