I am not sure when I first noticed the return of the turkey vultures this spring. They are present all year long, with one or two spiraling high in the skies on warm days, but for the last three weeks a colony of more than thirty buzzards circled the skies just before sundown, and ultimately … More Lessons From a Buzzard Roost
This past winter was a strange and disappointing one for me. Temperatures were much too cold to work in the orchard, and even if I could have managed to tough out the freezing conditions, a state-wide burn ban left me without any means to burn the wood I’d manage to gather in an effort to … More A Little Show of Ice
I found myself restless and irritated at having to spend so much time indoors this winter. Last year’s weather allowed me to work outdoors all through the winter months. I managed to clear downed wood in the pecan orchard and I burned the debris for weeks on end. We entertained family who helped with cleanup … More Remains of Winter
We released Daisy deer to roam free and wild in January of 2012. Because she was a lone fawn, I still spent most mornings accompanying her on walks through the woodland below our home. Raising a single fawn had been worrisome for me, as deer are herd animals, and fawns are used to the company … More Scarlet Doe – Matriarch of the Woodlands
In the days following my foiled attempt at finding clues after sighting a deer poacher on the neighboring property, I found myself keeping close to home. The weather had become cold and blustery, with occasional fog and drizzle, and I was anxious about continuing my investigation before the coming weekend when rifle season would open. … More Keeping a Low Profile
I was ready to head out early the morning following the discovery of an illegal hunter on the property next to ours. I intended to have a closer look at the area that I call “the island”, where I saw the hunter disappear to. This stretch of woodland juts out into a soybean field, creating … More A Foiled Attempt
After Thursday’s hike, I intended to return to the river area and continue my search for Emma deer while taking in the changing fall colors, but Friday and Saturday turned out to be good days to do a little work in the pecan orchard. Sunshine brought warming temperatures just right for working outdoors, and a … More An Intruder
The sky was showing the first signs of light as FD headed off to work last Thursday morning. I generally walk him to our metal building where our vehicles are kept, and see him off to work each day. As I walked back through the building towards the house, I stopped by the electric buggy. … More Sunrise Hike to the River
For days in advance, the weather forecasters had been advising folks to be prepared for volatile weather that was to come our way nearly two weeks ago on a Saturday night. It was unusual to have the threat of strong winds, hail, and tornadoes in October, but here in Oklahoma it did not surprise me, … More A Better Plan for Next Time
My work clearing downed branches and limbs in the orchard had come to a standstill for a few weeks, since early Autumn rains arrived as they generally do in September. But with the wind and rain, even more limbs came down. Many trees were already on overload with too many pecans and the rain only … More The Ebb and Flow of Life
I wondered how many times I had walked right past her before I noticed the spectacular web and her tiny, but colorful, black and yellow abdomen. She was the smallest female garden orb I had ever laid eyes on. There was no telling how many trips I made in a day, up and down the front … More Keeper of the Orbs
