Wednesday wildlife, standing on their own two feet

Another interesting photo of deer behavior. This must be how they act after tearing into one of the pawpaw trees that was caged and destroying it. It seems to be celebrating a little too much but more than likely a defensive act to a deer off camera.

Get to work, 1203 looks like a good number

This weekend, we planted a couple more red oak seedlings and another 15 white oak acorns. That brings our total of 1203 trees, seedlings, acorns and nuts planted for the year. We might get a few more in the ground but I think it's time to wind things down.

My goal of 1000 was met and exceeded for the year. Now, if we can keep the critters away so they can have a chance to grow, we can relax on the numbers in the coming years. Our fall harvest will be used in the spring to replace any seedlings lost over the winter.

We planted another 38 aronia berry plants and put up fencing in our attempt to keep the deer and rabbits out. We called it a day after running out of chicken wire and will complete the fencing next weekend. If time allows. more aronias will be planted (and maybe a few more white oak acorns.)

Wednesday wildlife, I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille

This buck didn't spook after getting his picture taken. The camera has a fairly loud click but this guy stuck around for another 5 pictures.

Chinese Chestnut update

How's the Chinese Chestnut tree that David over at True Blue Sam gave us last fall?:

I was a little worried after our harsh winter but it's doing well. I didn't measure it but it's about 16+ inches tall.

Get to work, new beginnings

This was the first weekend in over 8 years that I didn't carry a "smart" phone. No emails and no texts all weekend long. It was surreal not having that leash.

I took the time to get some assessments for the coming winter which is a good time to warm up the chainsaw and clean out a few unwanted trees along the fence line.

5 more red oak seedlings planted and another 25 white oak acorns brings us to 1186 new plantings in the ground this year. I think I can plant another 14 next weekend to get us to 1200.

One of the red oaks planted that I planted by acorn this spring:

Wednesday wildlife, October buck

One of the newly deployed cameras picked up this nice buck in the SE corner.

A light weekend and not much work was accomplished

I had a short weekend to get much done and the planting season is beginning to wind down..

I did take an assessment of the box elders that need to be taken down, downloaded the cameras and handled a few minor repairs.

Gone are the blackberries as the walnuts trees are nearly bare. The red maples are in full display while the oaks are beginning to turn. I found a couple of red cedars and I plan on transplanting them next spring.

We accomplished quite a bit this year while we didn't get a couple of things done that we wanted. Once we get through this week of rain, the weekend looks to be a good opportunity to get back to work.

Wednesday wildlife, not another deer picture

Yes, it would seem so.

Taken with one of the new cameras we deployed, she is trotting away towards the northwest. To the right is one of the Gala apple trees we planted last year.