Wood Duck Box Has a Tenant



Wood Duck Box

 After seeing a Wood Duck on our stream Bill decided to build several Wood Duck nesting boxes to encourage one of these beautiful ducks to nest on our property.  Often the offspring will return to the same place to nest.

He built the boxes to the exact dimensions recommended and used cedar as suggested.  On the inside, below the entry hole, he used a file to etch steps into the wood.  This allows the chicks to climb up out of the box.  To ensure that predators could not enter the nesting boxes he attached them to a PVC pipe.  Special paint that adheres to plastic pipe was used to blend it into the natural surroundings.

We have diligently cleaned out the boxes and placed fresh cedar shavings into them every winter at about nesting time.   Although we have never seen a Wood Duck inhabit one of the nesting boxes we did find a broken egg shell once that could have been from a Wood Duck chick.



A shy screech owl inhabiting one of our nesting boxes




However, owls have found these nesting boxes to be a perfect habitat.  We were delighted to discover a screech owl and her owlets one season, and now another very shy screech owl has moved into the same nesting box.  Perhaps this could be one of the owlets that has come back home.

A Fire Circle Adds Warmth and Fellowship

There is nothing quite like watching a fire while sitting under the pines and a sky filled with stars.  A fire circle is a great, and safe, way to enjoy just such a fire.  And if a grill is at the ready to be rotated over the fire with a steak or deer sausages on it, this only enhances the ambiance.

Fire Circle with Rotating Grill

"Annex" Adds Unique Value to Property

When we initially bought our property there were no facilities on it.  At first we used a tent, then set up a small trailer.  But we didn't have a septic system.  Fortunately we learned about a porta-potty graveyard in North Georgia, and we decided to visit it.  What a surprise to see rows upon rows of retired porta-potties, all still usable and for sale.  We picked out one that looked ready to be put back into service and brought it over to our property.  With a hole cut in the bottom and placed over a deep hole in the ground, plus a bucket of lime for environmental purposes, this porta-potty was ready for business!

Bill was able to find paint that would adhere to the fiberglass and transformed the porta-potty into a camouflage "annex" that definitely adds value to the property. 

Transformation of porta-potty

Now that we have a septic system in place near our camping area, we have moved the "annex" to a convenient location at the other end of our property.  There it can continue to provide service for years to come.

"Annex" in new location

Oaks Have Brilliant Colors

Scarlet Oak

Many oaks still have brilliant fall colors late into November.  We are always observing the oaks on our property in the fall, because we want to know what the acorn crop will be for the year.  The red oaks, such as this Scarlet Oak, produce acorns that are more bitter due to the greater amount of tannic acid in the acorns.  White oaks are more popular with the deer, because the acorns that they produce have less tannic acid and are thus sweeter.  Acorns are a preferred food for the deer due to the protein that the nuts provide.

What Just 1/2 Inch of Rain Will Do

Finally we had a good rain.  Although it lasted for hours the rain gauge only measured 1/2 inch of rain.  But that made a difference as these "before" and "after" photos show:  Fertilizer and lime are important elements for improving the soil, but water is the magic ingredient that is necessary in order for the seed to develop into an edible crop.


After the Rain



Before the Rain























Food Plots Planted - Now Need Rain

We planted a mixture of rye, wheat, oats, rape, and crimson clover in our fields in September.  We were encouraged by some rain that fell almost immediately after the planting; however, after that little bit of moisture it has been 6 weeks with no rain.  Between the drought and various birds eating the seed, our plots look quite anemic, as this photo shows:

Enclosures Reveal Success or Failure of Crops

It is imperative to use an enclosure such as a small circular fence in a planted field to understand the effectiveness of the planting.  We were so disappointed when we first planted some plots, using lime, fertilizer, and seed and working diligently to plant the seed properly.  It appeared that the crop was a failure.  Then we decided to use an enclosure.  The result was surprising:



Enclosure that revealed a successful crop and much browsing activity

As this picture shows, the vegetation in the field outside of the enclosure is very sparse.  If it weren't for this enclosure we would have determined that this crop was a failure.  Instead, by using an enclosure we were able to determine not only that the crop was successful but also that there was tremendous browsing activity in the field.  We now use enclosures in every field that we plant.