Buck Snort Gang

Recent visitors from the Midwest arrived for the holidays ready to enjoy the great outdoors.

Some small adjustments were in order to accommodate the snow conditions

Frequent Buck Snorts were heard echoing in the hardwoods as the cold conditions had noses running like a sap tree.

Hot cocoa was requested and has fast become a favorite with our gang.

The leader of the Buck Snort gang cooking in the snow.

We have enjoyed our time in the woods checking out the tracks in the fresh snow.

No Mosquito's

Not a single stinging insect was encountered on today's scout! I paid a visit to the beaver Condo and saw that they have kept a hole open near the lodge.
A very refreshing change of scenery this week as the fresh snow turned the grey and brown of late fall into a beautiful white tapestry

I took this same shot recently in a previous Post below, you can compare the two and really see what an amazing change has occurred in such a short time.

This is an Alder Tree with some pretty cold Catkins.

When we get the nice clear days together with the fresh snowfalls it gives such an interesting accent and a fresh look to so many things.

Thanks for looking in.

New Fangled Stove

This is the new way to burn wood which is catching on big time recently in our neck of the woods.
The stoves have a hopper that holds about 70 lbs of pellets so you only have to fill them once a day, just dump in one of the 40 lb bags and walk away.

The pellets are fed by an auger into a super heated fire pot which heats tubes through which nice hot air blows into your living space.

The pellets are made from premium natural hardwoods and have a very low moisture content so your not expending precious energy burning off water. These pellets have the official seal of approval from the Vt Teddy Bear in residence.

You can buy them a bag at a time or by the ton which is what we do. This is what your wood pile looks like all stacked in the garage high and dry and ready when you are.

We are on our second year of heating with wood pellets and after moving the stove up out of the cellar and closer to our living space we are very snug and warm so far this winter. We like the quiet simplicity of our stove and enjoy watching the flames on a cold winter night.

Frosty Morning

Out early today for a scout with the camera, it was cold and the wind was brisk but the trail looked inviting.
There is some interesting color combinations to capture this time of year.

Brother John was remarking in an earlier Post that the water look very calm and clear.

I hope you can see in this picture some of that "clear" stuff is coating these fresh Beaver cuts.

How cold was it? Well you can't just go by the thermometer, you have to factor in wind chill and other varibles on any given day. I guess its cold enough for most folks when the wild birds are frozen to the branches and you have to pull them free so they can fly away.

Thanks for looking in.

Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas

Out with the camera for a scout the day after Thanksgiving.

Just hitting on all the color that is availible, its mostly brown and grey now.

I was happily surprised to see these two Otters out hunting for breakfast.

This is where they were busting up through the river ice you can see the pieces of ice on top indicating they came up from underneath.

These Beaver's know how to handle a Vermont winter, they build a snug lodge and stock it with plenty of good food and wait for spring to come again.
I had a hard time timing these shots, they were under water and would just pop up long enough for one quick shot.
On my way out I spotted this Muskrat enjoying the little bit of open water under this culvert.

Everything is beautiful in its own time.

Thank's for checking in.

Happy Trails

We got out for a nice hike in the marsh and were surprised to see lot's of Beaver activity.

Besides the softer woods like alder and swamp maple they were trying their teeth out on some oak's.

Notice the protective wire mesh that was suposed to keep them from girdling a tree like this.

They have their lodges built up and supplies laid in for winter.

Craft Shop

This is my new stove made out of a fancy feast cat food can! It is an amazing rig it puts out a nice flame just like a gas stove burner and boils water in a jiffy.



The weather lately has not been the best for photography or biking so I have been getting into some indoor projects. The knife's pictured below have been modified from their original shape, shortened and re profiled to my liking. The results were gratifying the end result is a very functional knife that is at home in the kitchen or in the field. Handles are another endeavor, I enjoy watching them take shape, each one comes out slightly different.
This project features a commercial blade fitted to a custom handle that I fitted, sanded and stained.
Another project that is waiting is to seal and mount this great old nest that we harvested at the end of the season.

Bawana does October