Friday, November 21, 2008

Reading the Signs





- A bit below normal temperatures on the mountain. Crisp and a bit windy.

- The Common Crow....the aviary equivalent to the Coyote. If adaptation is the key to survival in the natural world, it is no wonder these two species have thrived and expanded their range in many parts of the eastern USA. They will eat anything and they seem to flourish in a variety of environments. This morning around daybreak, for the birds and chipmunks, I threw a stale piece of cheese and a few stale crackers off the back deck into the woods. Literally within minutes a flock of Crows came to call...sailed through the trees and devoured my offerings. Had they been watching me? I wonder.

- Had a beautiful Pileated Woodpecker spend considerable time in a decaying Oak behind the cabin this morning.

- I stepped off the front porch of the cabin a couple of nights ago, around 8 PM, and heard a familiar noise high above. As I listened, the guttural chortle of the Sandhill Crane again came, and again. Though I could not see them, I could envision the seemingly effortless flight of these magnificent birds. Usually within a loose 'V', they often seem to float aimlessly high in the sky, often near a body of water. At the Hiwassee Refuge on the Tennessee River, one of the staging areas along the north/south migration of this species, thousands often congregate. The best time to view them is November and February.
-The last 2-3 weeks I have noticed the annual flocking together of the many Robins in our area. This gregarious behavior is typical just before they head South.

- Attached is a recent photo taken in Mother's Park, the newest and largest (12+ acres) of the 11 nature parks within our properties. If you like to hike and enjoy the serenity of the deep forest, this is great place to hang out!
- Also attached are two photos showing evidence of deer passing near my cabin. Though it is never certain that the sex of a deer can be determined solely from the track, one can often judge, by probabilities, their identity. The top photo is most likely the tracks left by a walking doe. Note that the grooves left by the parts of the front hooves are adjacent, while the grooves from the back foot are a bit separated. Also, no dew claws are evident, though the soil was soft. This is usually evidence of a deer that does not have a lot of weight, relatively speaking. Could be a very young buck, but more likely a doe. The bottom track is obviously different. The hooves are splayed and the dew claws are evident. Could have been a very large doe, but more than likely this is spoor left by a buck. Generally speaking, the relatively small 'heart-shaped' pattern with the parts of the hooves close together, is probably that of a yearling or a doe. Tracks over 3" (not including dew claws) that are splayed, with the dew claws showing, are almost always a male.

Friday, November 14, 2008

A Magical Place


- A mild, misty morning on the Cumberland Plateau.....
- From the standpoint of the local flora, the leaves are past peak now, though areas of color are still evident on the mountains. The weather man has forecast rain for this evening, followed by colder weather and some wind, which will probably mean the end of the autumn foliage for this season. A good time to build a fire.
- From the standpoint of the local fauna, it is an exciting time. I have been receiving e-mails from several residents of sightings within our developments.... from Golden Eagles and Cedar Waxwings to large whitetail bucks roaming about.
- The nomadic Cedar Waxwings are in our area only a couple of times per year, usually once in the fall and once in the spring. A photograph of these beautiful birds, which are quite gregarious, is quite a treat. I am still waiting for the right moment.
- I must say, without a photo, I am quite hesitant to mention the large whitetail buck I spotted this morning. As I was walking on vacant lots near Lake George, he came out of the tall grass in a marshy, wooded area near the head of the lake. Even from a distance, his tall and wide set of antlers provided quite a contrast to the dark backdrop of the deep forest. The deer was in constant motion, head held high, until he disappeared into thick undergrowth. Sadly, he chose not to pose for a photograph! Shortly thereafter, a doe came out of the tall grass, but she was not nearly as wary as the buck had been. She too, seemed to vanish before my eyes. Maybe next time.
- However, the morning was not without a deer photograph. The attached is of three does in the Stone Creek area of our properties. They were much more agreeable and seemed to pose before walking away.
- The work in Mother's Park is nearing completion. Two new observation decks in the deep forest, one with a waterfall in view, have been completed in the park. Also, two new bridges along the new trail, for hikers and those in golf carts, are now accepting traffic, as now this woodland thoroughfare is connected to The Magical Mile hiking trail. In addition, five new single file walking bridges have been constructed in the park, allowing hikers to walk over waterways between islands in the channel. Without a doubt, this new park, which is more than 12 acres, is a magical place.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Reasons for the Season

















- Cool and clear on the mountain properties this morning. Delightful!
- The most pleasant stretch of weather I can remember in some time....all of September and October were classic autumn in Tennessee....cool, clear evenings and mild days.
- The autumn foliage is nearing peak in our part of Tennessee and the attached photographs are part of the reason.
- A brief summary of the attached (top to bottom) .........The top photo is of a young Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), the state tree of Tennessee. This species, known for the long straight contour of the trunk, often turns a brilliant golden color in autumn, and 100' specimens are not uncommon on our mountain properties. The next photo is of the Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra), one of many species that turns a burgundy color in autumn. This small, thin barked tree is often found in clusters, as in the photo. For whatever reason, whitetail bucks love to rub their antlers against the trunk of this tree. The golden color in the next photo (the tree in the middle) is the Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra), one of two hickories (Mockernut Hickory) common on the mountain properties. The hickories and the Tuliptree are responsible for the majority of the yellow to golden coloration in the deciduous forests in our part of Tennessee. The next tree is the Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), and the burgundy color shown is typical of the autumn coloration of this common species. Next is the Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica). The specimen shown in the photo reflects a bit softer coloration than is typical ...most often the leaves of this species turn a deep burgundy color, similar to the Sourwood. The variation shown in the photo becomes particularly vivid in the afternoon or morning sun. The bottom photo is perhaps the most colorful (and unpredictable) of all...The Red Maple (Acer rubrum). The leaves of this common species are almost always colorful and most often turn red, though some turn yellow, and a few stay predominantly green with a bit of yellow tint (like the one in the background of the photo). The exact reason for this variation within a species is another of Mother Nature's well kept secrets.