A Birthday Poem for Zick!

 

Listen my friends and you shall peruse

A birthday poemic for Julie Zickefoose.

She's turning today an indeterminate age

so we'll honor her with pictures and words on this page.

 She's an artist of birds, and of flowers, and of bats

She's a birding savant not afraid to wear hats

She can write words that move any reader to tears

she's been blogging like blazes for more than eight years.

It may appear odd, but I feel I should mention

She can never pass by without sniffing rose gentian

For those who don't know, a gentian's a flower

and as an aside, Julie lives in a tower

The view from that tower is something spectacular

or "ossum" in southeast Ohio's vernacular

We've been blessed with two children, Liam and Phoebe

And a Boston terrier who's saying "Hey! What about me-be?"

Of course you're our third kid, Chet Baker, don't fret

Your kisses and gasses won't let us forget

 * * * *

Julie loves music from her head to her toes

She loves rocking out with her band The Rain Crows

As a singer/songwriter Julie's mind is quite fertile

Her most famous tune concerns saving box turtles

At a recent band gig where there might have been ale

The Rain Crows were thrown in the Fayette County Jail

Soon the Crows were set free before facing the noose

When the judge recognized the famous Ms. Zickefoose

"OMG!" Said His Honor "I so totally loved...

that story where you glued down the scalp of a dove!"

* * * *

Last winter we spent nearly 400 hours

Building a sanctum for all of Zick's flowers

That's less time than we spent in building our OWN house

which is why we refer to this greenhouse as GROANhouse

But when the snow flies and the weather is crappy

inside the groanhouse The Zick is quite happy

Her happiness is dog, iphone and wine, oh!

But she's happier, still, when she's scratching a rhino!

* * * *

When she talks, people listen with enraptured attention

She kneels before butterflies, devoid of pretension

She has fans who will travel long distance to see her

And so many of us still aspire to BE her.

Way back in the 90's when I first met this girl

I had no idea how my life would unfurl

Then we moved to Ohio and 20 years on

It's hard to believe just how fast the time's gone

So to you my dear Julie here's this long birthday verse

After reading it I hope you feel better, not worse.

Too many things in this life we can't choose

But I'm pleased to be known as Mister Zickefoose.

I think of how many lives you have touched

and it's easy to see why I love you so much.

Happy birthday, Zick!

Mustang Grape Jelly and Wine Time in Central Texas

My wife and I checked on the wild Mustang grapes at our place in Lampasas this last week. We have been watching them this season in hopes of beating the coons and birds to enough ripe grapes to make some jelly or wine for the season. There were none last year due to the drought and very few this year.  We picked a small batch last week and my wife made jelly while I made a batch of wine.  Jena returned with a friend last weekend and brought back some buckets of beautiful ripe deep purple grapes.  From the juice she again made some of the tangy dark purple jelly while I started two more carboys of the wine.  If all goes well we will have 15 gallons of the rich sweet wine to drink and share with friends this next year.

Mustang grape jelly always brings back memories of my grandmothers and my mom making jelly. The process would fill the house with a wonderful sweet, rich grape smell that promised the taste of biscuits filled with butter and the rich grape flavor of the Texas Hill County. It has been many years since I was involved with processing the grapes and I had forgotten how purple and rich the juice from wild mustang grapes becomes as you cook the grapes down.  Here is a good basic recipe for a really pretty and wonderful tasting Mustang Grape jelly. Hope you enjoy the biscuits and peanut butter sandwiches that will taste a whole lot better with your homemade jelly. 

Mustang Grape Jelly


Wash grapes thoroughly and put washed grapes in a cooker, add enough water to cover them. After the water starts to boil, cook the grapes (stirring frequently) until the skins begin to slip. When the skins will slip easily from the grapes, they are ready to press. Strain the cooked grapes and juice through a colander lined with a jelly bag or medium textured cloth. (My wife uses an old clean white pillow case)  Press and/or squeeze all the juice from the grapes with a wood spoon or by hand. Add one box of fruit pectin to 7 cups of juice. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil and then add seven cups of sugar. Stirring constantly bring the mixture back to a rolling boil and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. When the mixture forms a string as it is poured from a spoon, remove from heat. Skim all the foam and crystals from the surface, and pour the processed jelly into hot sterilized jars. (If you add a 1/4 teaspoon of butter you will have very little to skim off)  Clean jar rims and seal immediately with canning lids before the jelly cools.


Warning: From personal experience let me warn you to wear latex or similar gloves to pick the grapes as the acid you will get on your hands burns. Also wear old clothes that you do not mind staining as the grapes stain everything they touch. Be very careful about getting the juice on anything you do not want to dye purple as the juice colors anything it is spilled on or wiped up with. Don’t ask me how I know. Wild Ed

Feel free to click on comments below to leave a comment or read the comments of others

Some Scenes From My Favorite Westerns

This week I put together a few takes from some of my favorite Western movies for your enjoyment.  They just don't make them like these anymore, but we can always hope for a return to real western movies. Be sure and turn up the sound, you may want to click on the full screen icon while watching.  I hope you enjoy this trip back in time, Wild Ed

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid








The Good the Bad and the Ugly








Since I can not list all the greats here are just a few more, feel free to list your favorites in the comments.  I might not have seen them, Wild Ed

My Niece, Her New Husband and Yours Truly

My niece Meggan with her new husband, Chois.  In case any of you want to know what I look like these days I am standing there pretending to be an old man.  Wild Ed

The Homestead Firearm

As more and more people are returning to rural country homesteads many are discovering that they have the need for a firearm on the farm. For some this decision has not been an easy one as they may have felt no need for a firearm in the city or suburbs. Some will need to slaughter and butcher their own livestock, or put down an injured or sick animal humanely. Many have had to stop rabid skunks or raccoons to protect livestock, pets and or children. Venomous snakes can be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Others, after finding mutilated and dead livestock, have realized that guard animals alone will not keep them from having livestock losses to coyotes and other predators. There are no animal control departments to call on for help in most rural areas.  Many have dealt with the reality that response times from law enforcement agencies can be hours or even days away when you live out in the country strictly because of the size of the territory and the small numbers of officers spread out to respond to calls. Some homesteaders are finding that the hunting of feral hogs, deer and other game is an important part of farm income and a welcome addition to the food supply. I am often asked by those that have made the decision to obtain a firearm what guns I would recommend.

First we need to look at what this ideal firearm would need to do. It would need to be able to shoot at close range and also reach out a reasonable distance to take care of predators or other threats to the homestead. Ammo would need to be cheap and light enough to carry a large number of shots yet powerful enough to drop a coyote, deer or whatever would do our family harm. It must be able to humanely slaughter livestock to be butchered. This ideal gun would need to be accurate enough to take small game for the table while able to hit a predator on the run or in limited light situations. It must be compact enough to handle in close quarters yet stable enough to make precise long distance shots. It must be a do-all, solve-all problems firearm and there is none I know that fits all situations.

Now that you know that not one gun will answer all needs I will list several in order of importance that come close and in my opinion that one should try to acquire and have in your bag of tools. Just like tools, of which the firearm is just another tool, no one tool does it all.  If you can only have one then only you can make the decision of which firearm fits your needs the best.

First Choice: If the truth be known the gun that won the west was really a shotgun. More western lawmen and guards carried a shotgun than a revolver or rifle. Most of the settler wagons headed west had a shotgun under the seat ready to grab in case of Indians or a chance to bag supper. The shotgun is capable of gathering game or defending the homestead. Almost anyone can hit a target that is not moving with a shotgun and with a little practice the fox will not even get close to the hen house.

Loaded with bird shot you can gather dinner, kill a poisonous snake or defend the poultry from a predator. If you choose to load the shotgun with buckshot you can drop a coyote at 65 yards, stop intruders or add a deer to the winter food supply.  Loaded with slugs or sabots the shotgun can drop big game at a distance or humanely dispatch large livestock to butcher. Not to mention the fun my family has shooting clay birds thrown from an inexpensive clay bird thrower.  We just buy non-toxic biodegradable clay birds so that they will dissolve after breaking.

My favorite shotgun is a strong pump such as a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. Pump shotguns are survivors and need little repair compared to other types of shotguns. Others prefer the simplicity and safety of a single shot version.  Lately I have grown fond of a 12 gauge coach gun with 20 inch double barrels just like the old stage coach guards carried.  It is handy from the truck and one barrel can be loaded with birdshot while the other can be loaded with buckshot leaving you ready for any situation.  The biggest drawback to shotguns is the limited distance at which they can be used, the weight of the shells and the cost of ammunition.

Second Choice: The next choice has been proven through time and that is a .22 long rifle. It comes in many styles and is effective as a game gatherer and also a weapon for predators and intruders.

It can reach out to about a 100 yards in the hands of a capable shooter. One can carry large amounts of ammo and the cost is the most reasonable of all the firearm choices. The inexpensive ammo allows for plenty of practice so one can be very familiar with the rifle and their ability to hit the target. Loaded with rat shot it becomes an effective tool for ridding the barn and sheds of rats and unwanted vermin.  In times past many a big game animal has been felled by the little .22 long rifle.

The .22 rifle comes in many durable styles and models. I would recommend a good semi-auto, pump, bolt action or lever action by a major manufacturer. You can extend the accuracy by topping your rifle with a good scope. A four power scope will increase your target four times closer in size. The draw backs are few but important. One must be an accomplished shooter to hit small targets with the .22. It is also limited in power and is too weak in power to take down big game and large predators reliably.  It can and will kill them if the need arises but bullet placement will be crucial.  My wife and I have become attached to a little two piece Ruger 10/22 take-down that will stow in a small case and can be put together in seconds. 

 Third Choice: This is where some will choose not to go any farther in putting together their collection. I think that we should all do as our hearts tell us and I for one believe in preparing for a rainy day. My next choice would be a semi-auto rifle in .223 or 5.56 mm such as an AR-15 or Ruger mini 14. These guns use the same ammo as our military’s battle rifle and one can often purchase surplus military ammo at bargain prices. This type of firearm can put a deer in the freezer, down a coyote across the pasture and is very efficient as a defense rifle if necessary.

These rifles are highly accurate and may be scoped if one prefers. They can handle from a five to a thirty round magazine for a high rate of fire. The ability to send a round down range with each pull of the trigger may allow one to save livestock from fast moving multiple predators if the need arises.

This rifle has become the firearm of choice for controlling feral hogs in many parts of the country. This rifle is my choice to humanely slaughter large livestock to be butchered. There are numerous options and after market accessories for these type of firearms. This rifle has saved many a goat, lamb and calf from the jaws of a predator.

 

There are other choices and many other firearms that some may prefer to have on the farm. I enjoy carrying a black powder squirrel rifle on occasion as it is inexpensive to shoot and takes me back to the days of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. There is nothing like a dinner of fried squirrel or cottontail taken with an old time rifle that belches fire and smoke.

I often carry a small pistol or revolver on my belt as I check fences and livestock. It is out of the way and allows me to do other chores but is there if I feel the need for a gun. It has taken several poisonous snakes out of areas around the barn and house where kids and livestock roam. A revolver allows one to load snake loads or regular rounds as needed.

Whatever you choose make sure you are familiar with your firearms and practice safety at all times. If you have not grown up with guns I would recommend you get some professional instruction in safety and firearm use. Many of the larger sporting goods stores have classes in firearm use and safety. As a firearms instructor I often recommend the purchase of an inexpensive BB or pellet rifle to practice with or to teach members of the family the use of firearms. With the current cost of ammunition the BB/pellet guns make a lot of sense for practice and some are sufficient for small game hunting.  The longer you live in the country the more you realize that the gun is just a tool and one that you often have the need to use.

Maybe the next time a fox, raccoon, coyote or other predator gets after the livestock you can take care of the problem on the spot. Good Shooting, Wild Ed

Feel free to click on comments below to leave a comment or read those of others

A Spring of Young Birders' Field Trips

I've enjoyed a whirlwind spring and early summer of travel to festivals in various parts of the United States. It's always fun to see old friends, make a few new ones, and experience birding in new and wonderful places. Lots of great birds have passed across my field of view. However, my favorite part of all these spring travels has been the opportunities I've had to get out in the field with lots of young birders.

Back in May I was up at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Ohio for International Migratory Bird Day where I've done family bird walks for the past few years. Though the weather was "iffy" we had a nice group of bird watchers show up and we were treated to a mini-fallout of warblers along the trail as well as a great horned owl nest with fledglings in it.

A birding mom shows her daughter the great horned owl nest along the Ottawa NWR walking trail.

 

 

 

Later in May I was a speaker and guide for the Acadia Birding Festival in Maine. We did a family bird walk on Saturday, taking nice long hike along the sea cliffs in Acadia National Park. The birding was just OK but the scenery along the trail was breathtaking! I can highly recommend this festival, by the way, as being the best place in the world to see tons of warblers and tons of seabirds in the same day!

Our family bird walk group in Acadia NP.

Scanning for black guillemots and common eiders in the surf.

In mid-June my family and I were back at the Potholes & Prairie Birding Festival in Carrington, North Dakota. One of the other families attending included Abby and her mom who were from Indiana. While birding along the Sheyenne River valley, I got to show Abby a few life birds, including her first-ever common yellowthroat.

That's me pointing Abby's eyes to the common yellowthroat.

We got the bird and celebrated with a high-five!

At the end of June, I was back in Maine with my family for the Hog Island Audubon Camp, guiding, speaking, and contributing to a new week-long session there called "The Arts of Birding." My "art" contribution was teaching three songwriting workshops during the session. These were super fun and I'll plan to blog about them later. There was a teen birders' camp going on that week, too and we got to spend some time in the field with these fine young people. I even coaxed a couple of them to join me in the songwriting sessions! Our final day of birding was spent on the Maine mainland, birding some wet grasslands and pond habitat owned by the Damariscotta River Association. It was a drizzly, foggy morning, but the birding there was excellent! Nearly everyone got great looks at bobolink, American bittern, pine warbler, and Virginia rail.

Birding the DRA lands in Maine, just before the Virginia rail appeared!

All of us probably had a birding mentor at one point or another—someone who helped us get started as a new bird watcher, taught us bird identification tricks, shared the best birding spots, and—most importantly of all—took us out birding! My birding mentor, Pat Murphy, is long gone from this mortal coil, but I try to honor her memory by being a mentor to young/new birders whenever I can. The world needs more bird watchers! Consider "paying it forward" by getting involved in mentoring young birders. 

There are an increasing number of places/event/organizations that are geared to encouraging young bird watchers. Here are just a few:

ABA Young Birders

Leica Young Birders' Site

Cornell Young Birders' Network

Fledgling Birder's Institute

Hog Island Teen Birding Camps

Young Birders' Day at the 2013 Midwest Birding Symposium

Resources & Clubs for Young Birders

There are many statewide organizations for young birders, such as The Ohio Young Birders, Iowa Young Birders, Indiana Young Birders, and Illinois Young Birders. Try searching for a group in your state via the resources link above, or via a search engine.

Finally, if you know a young person who would benefit from a starter field guide specifically designed for young birders, please consider my Young Birder's Guide to Birds of North America.

I've written and edited a lot of books, but this one is closest to my heart and my proudest professional accomplishment. The book is available for sale at most bookstores—both online and off—but if you purchase from Bird Watcher's Digest, I will personalize the book with an inscription of your choice for the recipient.

Happy birding to all!

Musgrave/Woodman Wedding

I have a niece that is a teacher in a small town up on the Llano Estacado.  Llano Estacado means Staked Plains and there are also many stories to explain the name.  Some say the early Spanish explorers drove wood stakes in the sea of grass so they could find their way back.  Others say it means palisaded plains or stagnant water for the many little playa lake depressions that hold water for a while in the wet season.  Anyways most everybody except the Buffalo and the Comanche got lost up there...  Back to my niece, Meggan the teacher, she found this young man up there somewhere on the plains and made him her "choice" for a husband.  Chois has one of those names you remember.  He is a nice enough young man and we were able to have the discussion about what happens to men that mistreat women in our family.  He will now be able to pass the dull deer antler story to the next generation.  My wife will tell you about the wedding in a proper write-up below, I just wanted to say it was a wonderful outdoor wedding in the high country on the Montaraz Ranch with the Capitan Mountains in the background.

On the way back to Ruidoso that night it was drizzling rain and a cat the size of a bobcat ran out in front of the truck right in the headlights.  As I hit the brakes and yelled bobcat, so my wife would see it, I realized it had a long tail to go with the spots.  It was a cougar kitten, one of those animals you catch a glimpse of once in a lifetime if you are lucky.  The kitten made it to the far side of the road and ran into the dark pines putting an end to a great day.  Meggan and Chois may you have many adventures along the way just as Jena and I have had for the last forty years.  

Best Wishes in your journey, Uncle Ed and Aunt Jena

 

 Musgrave/Woodman Wedding

June 15, 2013

 It was a special celebration in the mountains above Ruidoso, New Mexico.  The soft bubbling of the pond’s fountain complimented the nays of nearby horses as the guests were seated on a scenic plateau framed by the beautiful pine-covered mountains.  Facing a large, handmade cross the audience smiled as the mothers and wedding party found their places.  Even the couple’s dog, Moose, was a part of the ceremony, decked out in his necktie collar.  Planters made from large hollowed logs decorated the front as vows were exchanged and jars of family soil were mixed to nurture a new tree’s beginning. 

After the rings arrived wrapped inside a baseball thrown to the Brother of Honor, and the new Mr. and Mrs. Woodman were introduced, the pairs of bridesmaids and groomsmen danced down the aisle following close behind.  Signage directed the guests to a buffet of Mexican Food set up under lighted trees and on top of thick-cut pine boards balanced on old whiskey barrels.  A candy store was recreated with large jars of family member favorites.  Brown paper sacks encouraged everyone to gather several different kinds of candies and to carry to the lighted tables.  

Earlier in the day, a brunch was served on the lawn with many games being played all around the lodge’s pond.  The day had been beautiful and clear.  As evening fell and the dances were called for Dad & Bride followed by Mom & Groom, the air was perfect with a slight cool breeze.  Fun happened.  Dancing and laughter arose.  A storm was seen in the distance and a short rain threatened to move all the festivities indoors, but dining and dancing continued and the rain did not.  

The wedding and reception were sprinkled with intricate details that added pizzazz to the memories captured. Burlap table cloths, wood slice center pieces with mason jars and flowers evoked a Pinterest perfect set-up.  After the cake was cut and shared and the guest book passed around for all to sign, glow sticks were whirled overhead and well wishes blessed the escaping bride and groom.  A perfect end to a perfect day. 

 

Feel free to click on comments below to leave a comment or read the comments left by others. Wild Ed

 

The Ranch House, Drought and Wildlife Pictures

We spent the last couple of days up at the place working in the intense heat.  The heat is also taking a toll on the habitat along with the resident wildlife.  All of the flowers that came up in the food plots are now dried up and the danger of wild fires is very real.  We spent the morning yesterday putting out a new water trough and hooking it up to a well water line to provide water for livestock and wildlife on my sister's property.  If you need a water trough in a hurry I can highly recommend the Rubbermaid troughs and floats.  They set up quick and the auto floats keep the water level right where it needs to be.  We put some limestone rocks in the trough where birds and small mammals could climb out the trough if they happen to fall into the foot deep water while trying to get a drink.
 
My brother and I are both still putting out supplemental feed for the wildlife and we are having all manner of visitors to the feeders and water troughs.  We even had a very rare visitor this last week, one I have never seen in Lampasas my entire life, a porcupine. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The house is coming along very well and it looks like we will soon be residents of Lampasas County.  I have been working the fences and trying to find a Livestock Guardian Llama to have for the sheep when they arrive.  Anyway you look at it there will be enough work for the rest of my life, not counting all the honey do stuff.  If it ever gets wet again I need to burn brush piles and start grubbing cedar as it is really taking a hold on the place again.  Do what you can for the habitat and wildlife, Wild Ed

 

  Feel free to click on comments below to leave a comment or read the comments left by others. Wild Ed