Turn the lights out on 2014

December sundown at the Stranded Tree Farm

We wish you all a safe and happy New Year.

Wednesday wildlife, the not-so camera shy deer

She slipped away

In one of the better pictures from the trail cameras, this doe proudly poses while looking up the hill to the west.

Not two hours later, friends of ours missed their chance. They would be standing over her shoulder walking up the hill while she was probably closer to the English River by that time.

Another season is just around the corner.

Have yourself a very Teddy Christmas

Teddy and Tom, a series of cartoons created by a nephew. Give it a look-over and sign up for email delivery to brighten up your mailbox.

End of the day colors

We were able to get a few hours of work last Sunday afternoon and the Mrs took this picture while I was downloading from the trail cameras. Pointed to the southwest, she was able to capture the shades of the cloud filled sky as the sun departs for the day.

Getting ready for more work

I've ran a chainsaw without protective gear for years. Have I been a fool? Probably, but I've never tried to bite off more than I could handle and I'm overly cautious in every other way. The number one rule of mine is having an escape route.

But while looking at helmets a few weeks ago, I remarked how expensive they were. Two steps later my thought was how expensive medical bills would be if something very hard and heavy landed on my hard head.

Helmet and chaps arrived the other day:

I've got boxelders that I need to remove from the south fence line and I've been nervous on how I'm going to deal with them. Having some protective gear won't prevent accidents but it should give me a better chance for surviving one. I'm not going to fire up the saw until my life insurance kicks in at the beginning of the year. (Just in case.)

Wednesday wildlife, winter deer

The slow camera exposure gives us the effect of streaks against the sky. White ribbons of snow blowing across the way.

And the lonely doe making her way between the young cottonwoods. From the trail cameras during our first snow in November

White pine update

Deer are especially attracted to white pine. The fragrance is compelling to them during the rut.

Despite our efforts, an aggressive male will mash the cage and tear things up. This was the worst of the pines they got into. After a rough winter last year, I didn't think the 5 ft. pines we planted in the spring of 2013 would have made it. Their growth surprised me and they looked good but the deer nailed two plus several that were planted years ago.

We recruited a few hunters to try to thin the herd and I'm placing a bounty on every one they bring in. In the mean time, I made repairs and reinforced the cages.

Among the missing

"What's been going on?" You may be asking.

No posting , no news, no updates, no new deer pictures. Although I've been hoping for some additional wildlife to come into range, they've been lacking for the most part.

The family has been a little busy with a new job both for myself and the Mrs. With trying to make a good impression, I've spent some extra time both at the facility and also taking some extra education/investigation on my own time. The Mrs. spent a couple of weeks at training and her hours on the job have increased.

Number one son had some minor surgery but his recovery took longer than expected. Number two son has been getting overtime which takes him out of rotation for assisting at the pond. We've had some additional family needs that were on the table.

Add it all up and productivity has gone down for work on the pond, especially with a few days when the weather doesn't cooperate.

Things are calming down. I hope.