Thanksgiving Moose

Yesterday I was completely blessed to see a young bull moose like this one(courtesy of vividlight.com. I wouldn't have known he was standing outside my kitchen door, except Evvy was going out of her mind. Evvy saw, or heard, or smelled the moose, then went nuts.....more so than usual. So, I looked out my bedroom window and down to the small space between the house and my shed. There he was. I was amazed. He stood there, presumably listening to Evvy barking next to me. After pausing, he ambled down my driveway, and into the road.
And what is with moose standing in the road? It's like they have a death wish. Anyway, there was no traffic at the moment. I attempted to take a picture of him from my livingroom window. But the flash on my camera was "on". The flash reflected back, at me. I haven't uploaded the photo yet. I suspect the picture is less than noteworthy. In any case, the moose finally jumped the short stone wall across the road. He walked right up the steeped part of the hill, and into the fog. One other lucky person saw the moose. A lone vehicle eastbound on the road stopped to watch. I thought, I am so thankful to continue having such great wildlife sightings lately.

Three Bear Afternoon

No photo today....just the story. It's the second day of rifle Deer season. Yesterday, I walked to my neighbor's stand, where I found Josie sitting. She had been there since 0445, and hadn't seen a thing. I guess she must have been bored to tears because she talked most of the two hours I sat up there with her. So I decided that afternoon's hunt was a wash. No problem I went with it enjoying the place, and listening to Josie tell her story. Then her husband, came tromping through the woods. Making plenty of noise as he arrived. No surprise, he said he hadn't seen a thing either. We all talked for a minute or two, then he tromped away down the hill to his house. I decided that was enough for me. I bid farewell to Josie, and decided to walk back up the hill to sit for a while. I came across three more hunters! I sat under a long dead maple tree contemplating "Opening Day". I think maybe there are too many hunters out there on opening day, especially when it falls on Veterans Day. Many who have the holiday off, hunt. Too many loaded guns walking through the woods...what could go wrong?

Anyway, today was a different story. I came home from work, and set right out to the same area around Derry Hill. I drive in, park, and walk to a suitable spot. So as I began driving up Derry Hill Rd. I noticed a huge Black Bear in the corn field. Evvy and I often walk that field. We have found many, many, piles of bear skat there. This bear was probably close to 180-200#. When he heard my truck, he stopped munching, and looked up at me. He looked in fine shape, as he made a slow gallop across the field. What a great sight! I was psyched.

Onward, I parked my truck and walked to a spot where I had heard a lot of activity yesterday. I sat down, trying to get comfortable on the bright orange butt warmer. Not ten minutes later, an ATV comes up and over the ski mobile trail. I wondered if it was my neighbor. As she drew closer, I saw the bright orange outfit. I just shook my head in disbelief. Like "what the heck?"

Josie saw me and stopped to tell me she and Larry had been out there all day, and hadn't seen a thing. She said, "Ronnie got an 8-pointer over in Westmoreland". I don't know Ronnie, but anyway. After a few minutes, she headed on down the hill past their stand to her house. I could hear her for many minutes.

Then silence, save for the red squirrels and chickadees. Occasionally, I would do my lame deer bleet sound. I heard something coming my way, and hoped it wasn't my neighbors again :-) No, this sound was different. I was standing at this point, as "it" drew nearer. I thought, this is it! My first deer....ever.

Finally it past the point where the darkness, brush, becomes an open area. Another bear! This bear was smaller than the first, maybe 120#. I stood perfectly still as the bear came closer still.

The bear continued toward me, stopping every third step to sniff, and look around. He came all the way to me. I could easily have kicked him. He just stopped there in front of me, I did not make eye contact lest I give myself away. He looked around, sniffed some more, for several moments. I thought this was the coolest thing ever! I was not the least bit afraid. He turned around and walked back the way he came, stopping now and again for a sniff of the wind. When he was out of sight, and sound, I sat back down. It was about 3:30 then.

I decided I would stay until dusk, then walk back to the truck. At about 4:15, I heard something walking toward me once more. I trained my scope in that direction in hopes that elusive buck would appear. As the animal emerged from the brush, I thought, "No way!". The bear was back. Once again, he made his methodical march toward me, with stops along the way. I smiled from under my wicked cool scent-lok camo balaclava. Sitting statue-still, I waited for the bear. He came up close again. I could see that his claws were a good two inches in length. No wonder bears can climb trees. No wonder Josie, and I hadn't see any deer.

I watched his nose turn up and down and around as he tried to figure out what I was. I was not afraid. Black bears do not typically attack people for no reason. Besides, I felt sure that if I sprang up at this point, that bear would definitely ~!@#$% his furry pants. I thoroughly enjoyed this visit between me and the bear. After he was sufficiently convinced I was not that interesting, he walked past me this time. Mr. Bear headed up the hill. I waited until I couldn't hear him, then I got up and walked back to my truck, satisfied that this afternoon was the best hunting so far. By the time I got to my truck it was dark. I thought "some people go their whole lives never seeing a bear in the wild......I saw bears, three times in two and half hours....priceless".

Is This Your Cat?

This beautiful cat has been living under my shed for the last several days. She rarely if ever comes out. I first saw her while walking on Derry Hill Rd. with Evvy. The next thing I know, she's under my shed. I live a short walk from Derry Hill, but I have no idea why she chose my shed, over more plush accomodations at my neighbor's hay barn. After days of feeding her, and listening to her try her best to be ferocious(I rarely buy this attitude from cats). She approached a bowl of food, half purring, half yowling. It was kind of comical actually. Today, she finally allowed me to pat her, purring loudly. Still she won't venture more than a couple feet from the shed. ANY strange noise sends her back under.

Yesterday I put a wool blanket under the shed as it was freezing last night. She loved it, and I find her there every time I check on her. As you can see she has lovely soft long fur. She is so thin from being on her own for who know's how long. Her face has more orange hues than you can see in the photo. Her coat is still in great condition, though she does have fleas. I was able to get a quick look at some of her teeth, and she appears to be a young adult, no tartar or missing teeth. Just a great looking cat. I have made up some posters with her photos on it. I'm going to post one on the bulletin board at Burdicks and Agway. Someone must be missing this cat. And I really hope that someone did not just drop her along the road because they couldn't afford her. I have three cats of my own, so I'm not in the market for four at this point. I wouldn't dream of abandoning the girls I have.

Halloween Hike

How scary is this! This is the exact kind of tick I keep finding on me, and Evvy. As I looked up info on the tick, I found that some call it a "dog tick", some call it a "deer tick". No matter really, any tick can carry diseases. Today only one tick on me, one on Evvy. We drove over to a Nature Conservancy trail off of Rte. 63, not far from here. At the trailhead there are a couple of cellar holes, with a brook running through the site. The trail heads uphill, some steep terrain on this trail. Then we took a trail called "Cave Loop" but I never did see any caves, not even a boulder cave. There was an imposing cliff, and small boulder field. All in all though, just a good workout with sounds of gun fire off to the west. It is hunting season after all. What I did find troubling is this. Someone had defecated off the trail. If you know dogs, then you know what Evvy did. The smell is unmistakable. When we returned to the trailhead, I left a note at the kiosk. There was a sign-in sheet with space for comments. I reminded people to dig a hole and bury their excrement. There's barely anything more gross than riding in a small truck cab with a panting dog who has just eaten human poop.

Have mercy.

Mt Gilboa

I think this has been the worst year yet for tick infestations. Every single time I've been out with Evvy, ticks have found us. I check my pant legs often while I'm walking. The other day, I removed no less than six ticks from my pant legs at various points in the walk. Today I found two on me, and two on Evvy when we returned from our walk. I am careful to avoid tall grass, and especially goldenrod plants that hang over the trail. Ticks seem to love those plants.

Anyhow, this morning was fresh on Mt. Gilboa. There had been rain yesterday, so everything smelled so good. Wouldn't it be great to bring that freshness into the house? I put a bright fluorescent yellow jacket and bell on Evvy for her safety, as hunters are in our midst. We walked to the top of Mt. Gilboa which is pretty much in Westmoreland to the southwest of Christian Hollow. The top photo isn't the ocean, but you might think that if you look quick. It's the Cold River mine in Westmoreland, easily accessible from a well worn ski mobile/logging road that runs from the Rapids Rd. in Walpole over to Rte 12 in Westmoreland to Mac's Convenience Store.

When we first arrived at the mine, I thought of an old movie, "Planet of the Apes" don't ask me why. It looked so barren at first, moon-like. But in the sunshine, it was soooo warm. I could have taken a nap on one of those flat boulders. I could see Highland Hill to the south, and several peaks to the west. I always wonder if there are trails to walk all of those hills. I'd like to find out.

The second photo is a plant that I found. The area is loaded with this fragrant plant. When you crush the leaves, it smells like lemon. I'm sure I've smelled this in some handcrafted soap. I don't know what it is. Maybe a fern of some kind? The leaves are leathery, and the stock has a reddish color. If you know what it is, let me know. I couldn't find it in my wildflower or fern guides.

Indian Summer?

Hard tellin. We didn't have much of a summer, and fall has been unseasonably cold. But today, at 60 degrees, it was spectacular, and perfect for a mountain bike ride. I haven't been out for a ride in quite a while, so I take less risks, and go much slower down the hills. Normally, I would just sail down those wooded paths. Now the leaves have covered rocks, and roots, so it becomes more precarious. Maybe it's that I'm getting older and the thought of injury is daunting.

I rode up to the High Blue vista which is one of my favorite overlooks near Carpenter Hill. I had looked the area up in the History of Walpole. I found that it had been referred to as "Sunset Rock", as many west facing vistas are. I could clearly see Mt Snow in the distance.

Meanwhile, Evvy enjoyed waiting anxiously at the back door for any chipmunk that might happen by. She's "good like that". She always lets me know when there's a chipmunk at the bird feeder. Evvy tries with all her might to dig through the french doors, barking the whole time. Quite startling actually when you're otherwise occupied with reading quietly.

Birthday Hike

Sunday was my sister Kim's birthday. She and I are 47 years old for three weeks....Irish Twins.

We joined several other hikers on a 4+ hike/bushwhack to three hilltops in Stoddard: Brooks Hill to Melville Hill, and on to Dakin Hill. We started at the Aten Lodge near "Shinbone Shack" in Stoddard, NH. We walked up the Aten Rd. for about .25 mile, then left up a steep dirt drive to a trail which breaks off from there. The trailhead is not marked, but is well known by locals. The trail used to be known as "Meetinghouse Rd.".

Brooks Hill and Melville Hill are also known as "Twin Hills". Back in the day, these hills were pasture that overlooked Granite Lake. Kim's husband, Alan Rumrill gave us a bit of the history. His grandfather owned a great deal of the hundreds of acres in the area. He would move his cattle from pastures in Stoddard all the way to Brighton, Ma to market on foot! He would make a stop just before arriving, to allow the cows to drink all the water they could, so they would appear more "robust". Alan told us there had been Merino sheep farmed in the area until the woolen mills in the closed.

The foliage was stunning, as it is all over this region. Lots of reds and oranges popping out. We saw signs of bear, moose, and deer. Unfortunately as is usually the case when walking with a crowd, we didn't see any of these animals. We stopped at a cabin on at the edge of Chandler Meadow. What a perfect spot to watch the Canada Geese getting ready to head south. I could easily imagine a big bull moose walking in the swampy edges of the pond.

After our hike, we celebrated Kim's birthday with a great meal, and Grolsch at the Elm City Brewery, in Keene. Perfect Sunday.

September is Leaving

At long last I got a chance to take a long walk through fields and woods near my house.  I have been so busy learning how to be a Clinical Medical Assistant, I've scarcely had time for anything else.  But this morning, Evvy and I set out on our four mile loop which takes us up over Sheep Hill, around it's western side and back to County Rd. via Galloways cornfields.  The hunters were out in their tree stands.  I thought if they were waiting for deer, they'd wait quite a while.  I've seen only one set of deer tracks in that area.  On the other hand, if the hunter was looking for Turkey's he'd be in luck.  The Turkeys were/are there, in small number.  Deer have much to feast on this year with a bumper crop of acorns, and apples.  So they can go wherever they want, whenever they want.  It might make them harder to find. 

Anyway, there had been a frost during the night and a fog had settled in.  What a sight looking over toward Derry Hill.  The foliage color is beginning to pop, there's a crispness in the air.  "Ranice" a Jersey from the Crescent Farm, said she loves the cooler weather.  It's  hard to tell from the look on her face.  

Perfect Sunset/Moonrise

Last night a bunch of us hiked up Pitcher Mt. with great expectation of both a beautiful sunset, and awesome full Corn Moon.  We were not disappointed.  In fact both were spectacular, and there were some professional photographers up there as well, catching the views.  At one point, I stood at the top of the mountain with the Moon to my left, and the Sun to my right.  They appeared to be at the same height in the sky.  It was as though you could draw a straight line from one to the other.   Off in the distance below we could see a large flock of Turkeys in a field.  There was some debate whether we were seeing a herd of deer, or turkeys.  Of course the deer hunters in the crowd believed the dark spots moving in the field were deer.  It was my sister who corrected us, and said that in fact it was a flock of turkeys - killjoy!   

After the sunset we hiked back down and drove to Highland Lake where we enjoyed wine, samoa's, and good company by the light of a cozy chimenea.   Surprisingly enough, somoa's go quite well with red wine!  

Fall Begins

I've been busy getting ready for winter around here.  Replacing clapboards, scraping and painting the house.  I've recaulked the shower, fixed ceiling tiles, and building a dog house for Evvy.  The mornings have become more crisp which is refreshing.  Still I have hoped for a longer summer. The next several days promise to be great for Labor Day weekend, so I'll make the most of it.

Evvy and I continue to take our long walks in the morning.  I caught this great picture of a small

pond nearby.  It was about 7:30 a.m. I think.  Evvy waded among the reeds eating grass, and avoiding the bloodsuckers.  I sucked the marrow out of the moment, so peaceful.

This morning we took a walk along the boundary of the Faulkner Conservation area.  I saw some flourescent pink surveyors tape marking a trail.  Being the super sleuth I am, sort of, I decided to see what lay at the end of the trail.  I thought for sure I'd find a grow of marijuana.  I'd tell the local Drug Task Force, it'd be great!  Instead, but thankfully, I found a stand of Blackberry bushes just dripping with fruit.  So as Evvy continued to explore, I filled my fanny pack with berries.  I think the area had been visited by others, animal and human alike, as many berries had already been picked.   I will enjoy the fruit I did manage to pick, maybe in a muffin, or on my cereal.  Or, maybe I'll freeze them and remember summer in the middle of winter.

Summer....finally

I went to the Walpole transfer station the other day.  Always looking for a bargain!  The "reuse" center is great for finding replacement coffee carafes for the coffee machine.   Or a thermos!  But the prize this day was a weathered wooden bench frame, and a matching chair.  They looked as though they had been next to the ocean, a nice shade of gray.  I left the chair, but took the bench home and revitalized it. I think it turned out pretty well.  I had to add a support for the middle of the seat, then the seat and back.  All that is left to do is stain the new wood gray, to match the weathered parts.  The bench will be perfect for my back porch, or the lake.

The second photo is one I took while out on a lengthy motorcycle ride on the backroads through Greenfield, and Lyndeborough.   This unusual place had a sign posted that read, "Yankee Siege".   There is a trebuchet (catapult),  a large caldron, heavy equipment, and a miniature castle.  All with a stone wall around it.   Not much grass to speak of, but on a far hillside someone was tending to a large garden.   I have no clue what this configuration of miscellany is about.  Across the street is the Yankee Farmer, and a Wapack Trailhead.    It's interesting, and really strange.  I "Googled" the Yankee Siege and learned that the trebuchet is used to "chuck pumpkins" of all things!  Every fall there is a competition, worldwide even, to see how far a pumpkin can be thrown.  Last year the Yankee Siege won.    Perhaps this fall, I'll do another motorcycle ride to Greenfield to watch this.....maybe not.

Bobcat Update

Yesterday was the first time the Bobcat had returned to its kill.  I found tracks(note the rounded nature of the track with no claw marks like a canid), and noticed the deer had been pulled further back into the tall grass.  A leg, and some of the chest meat had been eaten.  Flies were just overwhelming.   Despite the gore, the area was fairly clear of odor.  I returned today and found even more of the deer consumed.  The carcass was pulled even further into the swampy grass.

As I spend more and more time out and around the "kill zone", I wonder if the Bobcat is lurking nearby.  Evvy and I hiked four miles this morning, which included a stop by the deer carcass.  We ventured up Derry Hill, the eastern boundary of the Britton Farm, where this cute little cabin sits.

Along the trail there is a very steep, section littered with granite boulders.  The rocks are big enough to climb on, and perfect for den opportunities.  Perhaps the Bobcat rests there during the heat of the day?  I have hunted in this area often, and found bear sign at the top of the granite exposed hill.  This area is just teaming with wildlife of all kinds.  

Bobcats Among us! 2, Not for the Squeamish

Yesterday while on my morning walk with Evvy, I found this doe.   Right off the bat I thought, "it must be dogs".  The deer looked to be in good condition, no sign of injury from a car.  No obvious injury, until I turned it over.   A huge gaping wound on its neck.  I also noticed that its teets indicated the doe had been nursing.  I certain any fawn with the doe was also a victim.

The doe appeared to have been dragged into the deep grass at the edge of an overgrown beaver pond.  I returned home and called Fish and Game.  I spoke to a Conservation Officer, telling him about the scene, and condition of the doe.  He told me he believed the doe was killed by a Bobcat.  He said the Bobcats wrap their front legs around the neck, and bite hard until the doe dies.  This doe was less than 100#, and more than 50#. She was quite small, and probably easy prey for the Bobcat.  The CO came out later and checked the deer, presumably to make sure this WAS an animal kill.

Later I ran into my neighbor, told him the story.  He said he had seen a Bobcat in his yard just days before.  I had seen a Bobcat myself some time ago.  Now I am thinking it could be the same cat.  I read they can have a range of 16 square miles.  Though they rarely go for deer, Bobcat will do it if the preferred prey, Eastern Cottontail, are scarce.   The cats will drag their prey to a spot and try to hide it.  They return to the kill again and again.  So do I.  I went back to it today to note any changes, evidence of other animals, and the progress of decomp.   The deer had not been eaten further by animals.  But insects were plentiful on this carcass.   The carcass was just beginning to smell, the abdomen grossly bloated and green.  There were some interesting black beetles.  They were about 3/4" long, black with two horizontal orange lines across their posteriors.   

I know, how morbid right?  I have always been interested in various processes in animals and human life and death.  So this is just another chapter in that book.  I will return to the dead deer daily and report my findings....you have been warned :-)

Meanwhile....who'll stop the raaaaaain???
I don't who'll stop it, I just want it stopped.  The brooks near my house are now rivers.  I have considered "tubing" down them, but there are low fallen trees across the water.   Not as pleasant as the Withlascotee River(FL).  There are ponds where there never were, cascades tripping and falling down moss covered rock walls. Beautiful, and green.  

Twyla my black and white cat, has been quite the rascal lately.  She found a way to push the kitchen window screen out, then she gets out.  My neighbor reported that Twyla was sighted being chased by their dog, "Sheba".  Twyla climbed up the side of a barn, and into the second floor window.  She emerged a while later, climbed back down and ran back home.   I was driving in.  When I got inside, there Twyla was just climbing back into the kitchen!  It made me think of a teenager sneaking back into the house after a late night romp.

Back to the Past

I've had my BMW F650 CS motorcycle for sale at the end of my driveway for several days now.  Not so much as a bite.  So I decided to take her out for a spin.  I rode down to Richmond, and then to my family's ancestral farm.  The last relative to live there was my Uncle Frank McCann. He and his family stayed there many summers.  There is a brook fed pond that Frank created.  The water is sooooo cold, but I hear there are "Brookies" in there.   There are over 400 acres of woods, and hay fields out there.  When my uncle died years ago, my aunt sold the place for $250,000.  What a shame the beautiful could not stay in the family.  Whoever lives there now has made this warm little cape even more picturesque.  The house is still perfectly straight and square.

Nearly across the drive from the farm there is a stone chamber similar to the chambers I saw at "America's Stonehenge".   I can't say if the Richmond chamber is related, but the construction is identical in shape, height and depth.  I've always known about this chamber.  There have been theories about it's use throughout family history. I'd heard it was a place to hide from indians, or just a play fort for kids, or maybe a root cellar?  The chamber is far enough away from the house, that one might not want to use it for a root cellar really.  So I'm puzzled.

Up the road which immediately becomes an OHRV trail, I located the old cemetery.   Most of the occupants died in the early 1800's.  Among them, my ancestors Zimri and Polly Bowen.  I'm intrigued about their lives, but know nothing of it.  There is a large crypt toward the entrance of the cemetery.  A large mended marble head stone leans againsth the opening. Several steps lead down into the "beyond" that you can't see.  Inside the crypt, darkness, a cool, dampish weirdness surrounded me the minute my foot touch the dirt floor.   I didn't have a flash light.

But I took several photos inside, illuminating anything that could be lurking.  I found no crawling hands, or unidentified skull.  But there was  definitely something funky on the ceiling.

The ceiling glistened, many white shimmering reflections on the ceiling alone, nowhere else in the crypt.  

After allowing my mind to open to creepiness, I tried to imagine everyone who had been buried here.  Some of these people died so young, survived by their mothers.  There were stones in the corners of the cemetery, that seems unidentifiable.  Lichen and low bush blueberries have blanked the entire cemetery.  I'm glad that someone took the time to cut down all the saplings that grown up between the graves.  Last time I was here, there were trees growing throughout the cemetery.

Merlin? or Kestrel?

Last Saturday, I drove my mom up to Perley Swett's old place.  The Hermit of Taylor Pond is what he called himself.  There was a brief talk at the home, followed by tours of Perley's house, the new Barn House, Perley's grave, and Taylor Pond.  The weather was perfect and one of the rare sunny days this summer.   As we drove up the long driveway to Perley's we noticed a small falcon perched in a branch just above the road.  First I thought it might be a Peregrine, because he seemed too big to be a Kestrel.  But now as I look at the picture, I'm wondering if this bird isn't a Merlin, a.k.a. Marsh Hawk.  He is a juvenile falcon at any rate.  We could have stopped to watch him for several minutes, but believe it or not, we were holding up traffic!  Way out there in the woods.  I couldn't believe it.  

I've written about Perley Swett's place before, so  I won't go into it again.  But I will say, that having been inside the "Shinbone Shack", the shinbones that had been set into the hearth, are not Moose bones.  The bones are much too short, and I believe they are really human tibia.....my opinion.   The bones have been removed, but a well defined pattern remains.

My Evvy has been battling a nasty infected toe the last week, so we have been taking much shorter walks lately.  The toe is much better now, so I have allowed her off her lead to run and swim.  Evvy is so much happier.   And as for me, I'm glad because we can venture away from the pavement and return to the woods I love.   I've always found the biggest natural treasures are found away from the trail.  Each time we leave the trail, we see something we might otherwise not see.  Yesterday for example, I saw an Indigo Bunting along a field, at woods edge.   I happened upon a monster Oak that had fallen earlier in the spring.  I imagined how majestic the big old Oak must have been.  Now the tree had become a maze of burrows, and piles of the best humus for plants.  I'm tempted to go back there and collect some for my house plants! Among the roots I pictured a perfect place for a den of some kind, maybe for a fox, or skunk.

The enormity of the old relic was awesome at first glance.  But like a big kid, I had to climb all over it.  It was like a jungle gym.....in the jungle!

Baby Loons On Granite Lake

How exciting to tell you that for the first time, there is a nesting pair of Loons on Granite Lake. They chose to nest on the east side of the only island at the lake.  Floating signs were put up to keep people from disturbing the birds.  Finally, two beautiful black fuzz balls hatched!  Now the whole Loon family often floats about right in front of our cottage.  We can watch mom and dad feeding the  two little ones.  Both adults will dive down, leaving the two babies bobbing in the waves.  I worry about their safety as boats fly by carelessly.  One time the mother saw, or heard a boat coming.  She made a sound, then she and the babies dove down beneath the water to avoid being run over by the boat.  I just breathed a sigh of relief when they all popped right back up.

The night of the 4th of July, was especially stressful because there were numerous fireworks going off all around the lake.  I could see one adult Loon swimming out front of the camp, and moving toward Ewing's old place.  I never saw the other Loon, or the babies.  I thought for sure they had been frightened to calamity.  The next day, my mom called me to say they were all fine.  I was so happy to hear that.  I went up later on the 5th, and watched the Loons endlessly.

Mom and dad are wonderful parents, very protective and ever watchful.  I hope they return to Granite Lake for years to come.

The Making of an Adventure

After steady rainfall this morning, I was pretty discouraged that we'd have a sunny day.  So, I decided to find some sun. I checked the weather via internet, and saw that there was a break in the soggy weather, to the east.  I got the dogs squared away, and off I went.  I didn't take a straight path either, I took a roundabout route.  I stopped at Carr Store in Dublin, for a soda. I noticed there were several large moths on the outside wall of the store.  Someone had put up a sign asking that people not touch the moths.  I took the opportunity to take a picture of the Luna moth.  I have seen several this summer so far.

Onward....I took Rte 111 over toward Salem.  I saw a sign for "America's Stonehenge" and decided to check it out.  I have been to Stonehenge in England, so I was really curious to see how America's stonehenge stacked up.  I'm alittle skeptical after walking the grounds.  Supposedly there are large monoliths configured in a vast circle on top of "Mystery Hill".  The stones are arranged to indicate the seasonal direction of the equinoxes, and solstices, plus sunsets and sunrises.  The monoliths are nowhere near the size of those in England.   What I saw were many stone walls that were in a circle.  Brush and trees had been cleared in each navigational direction, NSEW with a large boulder at the end what I thought of as a shooting lane.  In the center of all this were piles of rocks seemingly arranged randomly.  But the story goes that the "chambers" face south.

There are many chambers barely big enough for a person to sit inside.  Then there is a tunnel that you can walk through, and it's kind of creepy and dark.  I looked for those bats, but didn't find them.

After exploring the America's Stonehenge I concluded that this was just an eccentric's way of making cool little caves out of piles of rocks.  They say that the underground railroad ran through the property, moving slaves to freedom.  

After leaving the stone fiasco, I headed to the coast and popped out at Salisbury Beach.  The sun was shining!  and it was HOT, believe it or not.  I was psyched, and inhaled deeply the wonderful salt air.  I drove up Rte 1 through Seabrook where I found the little harbor.   The Seabrook power plant was in the background, but I left that out.  I noticed that off in the distance the sky was a horrible greenish dark gray color....more thunder and rain.   No matter, I cruised along at a leisurely pace.  I stopped to look down the beach which was nearly void of people.  But there were some hardy folks in the water...brrrr   The lifeguards were all huddled up on their stands wrapped in red fleece blankets.  Discouraged surfers had been in and out of the waves.  I couldn't image it being much fun, nothing like Hawaii.  Who knows?  I drove up past the tacky backdrop of the arcades, and fried dough stands of Hampton.  Lots of "vacancy" signs on seaside motels and cabins.  I stopped at the Beach Plum for a decadent Lobster roll, and was tempted by the ice cream, but I resisted.   I think it was around 3 by then so I decided to head back, because the dogs would need feeding and their evening walk.  I turned back toward the west, and that eerie sky.  Thankfully, I went through only one downpour, and it lasted only a few minutes.  By the time I got home, the sun was out there with a thunderstorm looming to the west.  I fed the dogs, and took them out for a 2 mile walk up Derry Hill.  The thunder rolled but never did the storm make it to Christian Hollow.  Perfect.

Birds of a Feather

I have Ringo, my sister's dog for the weekend.  He's probably over 100 pounds, with long black fur.  Like Evvy, he is a rescue dog from the Monadnock Humane Society.   I have been making sure he gets plenty of exercise along with Evvy, because they are both VERY energetic.  Yesterday we did a four mile walk over hill and dale.  They discovered this deep puddle, and made the most of their good fortune.  Not too sure it was my good fortune though.  It's actually not that bad, they enjoy the water.  I take them for a morning swim, and an evening swim in brooks near my house.

So what's the white stuff in the other photo?  Well I have this theory that this fungus might be the same stuff that is killing all the bats around here.  I have seen this fungi all over the place, on the ground, on dead trees, everywhere, so why not on the nose's of bats?  I wonder if this fungus attaches to the bats while they hibernate, so they can't clean it off before it gets into their pores? Maybe a biologist could come up with a special "fungus bomb" kind of like a flea bomb, to put in known bat colony hibernation spots.   Or maybe create and environment where the bats could live, but the fungus could not.  Fungi love moist dark places, so do bats. But what about a dry dark place?  I used to live in a big old Victorian house in Keene.  That house was full of bats in the winter.  One winter I caught ten of them.  They slide down the partitions, and through the casement of sliding doors in the parlor.   Anyway, I'm pretty sure the attic where they "hung out" ha, ha, ha,   was very nice and dry.   So I don't know, food for thought I guess.  I am worried about those little guys though.  I haven't seen any for some time.

Remember This One?

This reconstruction is one I did back in 2006!  Some exiting news about her.  Melinde Sanborn who teaches Genealogical Anthropology at Boston University, found out about my work via linkedin.com and my sister, who is a Forensic Scientist with New Hampshire State Police.

Ms. Sanborn and her students are using photos of my reconstruction, along with investigative reports, with names removed, to try and determine who she is.  If you recall, this Jane Doe was found in Bedford, NH back in 1971.  The case has been reopened since I completed the reconstruction. Hopefully between research done by Boston University students, and NHSP, we will finally know who this woman is.  How exciting is that?!

Melinde Sanborn is also affiliated with the National Genealogical Society in Washington, D.C.

Sticky Saturday

Man, our walk this morning was very humid.  Thick fog had settled over night, but is burning off nicely as of 9:00 a.m.  But well before that, I took Evvy over to Mt. Gilboa Rd. for her morning romp.  I had taken a mountain bike ride yesterday, which took me over that way.  I call rides like that one, "discovery" rides.  I call them that because quite often I wind up bushwhacking my way off the trail.  I believe that is the only way you find the natural treasures you might never see otherwise.  Yesterday was no different.  After carrying my bike through a hideously tangled old logging site, I ended up at the Faulkner Forest cellar hole.  The area is marked by a stone with a plaque on it.  The plaque dedicates the beautiful spot to Phillip H. Faulkner, Jr., by his sons.   

There is a gate at the entrance to the property, then a well worn road that eventually connects to Mt. Gilboa Rd.  I have been there many, many times.  Yesterday I decided to check out an area that appears to have been a mill.  There are many stone walls there, and a couple cellar holes.  As I went closer, I heard the loud roar of water rushing and knew there had to be a sizable waterfall. I love finding waterfalls, and this one, new to me, was by far the tallest.  I made my way to the edge of a point of granite overlooking a spectular cascade.  I think it had to be over 100' from top to bottom.  The rock here is different than that at Fay Falls, more jagged with slabs of granite instead of worn bowls and slides.  I'm going to assume this cascade becomes a trickle when there is less rain.  There is a nice pool at the bottom, and Evvy of course got right in.

I didn't have my camera with me yesterday so I drove there this morning early.  You just take Rte 12 in Westmoreland, past the gas station(if you're headed south toward Keene).  Mt. Gilboa Rd. is on the left.  Drive well past the last house, and bear right.  You should see a 4x4 trail on the left, and a more driven road leading to the right.  You can walk in from there or drive up a little closer.  The falls are on the right, you can't miss the sound.  

NIce day to Just Curl Up

Merle has the right idea I think. Today and the next several days, are forecasted to be drizzly, and gray. So Merle, and my other furry creatures have found their respective nests to curl up in. I think I may find mine too.

Despite the creepy weather, Evvy and I did get out for our hike very early this morning before the hard rain started. Up over Sheep Hill, through the woods recently logged with new skidder paths. We made our way to the Rapids Rd. which is also the NH Snowmobile trail #5 I think. This trail can take you to the Wentworth Rd. to the NW, or what is called "Wind Gate" to the South, or you can take a side trip along the Hooper Hill Hopper trail toward the north, and eventually to Derry Hill Rd.
We chose to take the Rapids Rd. back toward Wind Gate which is also known as the Faulkner Forest Conservation area. Evvy located a nest of sparrows on the ground, but thankfully let them be. I located the Turkey nest I had spoken of in a previous post. There were several broken eggs in the nest. No sign of a Turkey anywhere. I'm going to guess that the eggs did not hatch. Surely if they had, the hen would have removed the eggshells. So perhaps the eggs were eaten, or just died. When I first found the nest, there were 14 eggs inside. Today there were about 8 broken eggs.

One good thing about hiking in the rain; the mosquitos are much less of an annoyance. Evvy doesn't care what the weather is, she loves romping around the woods looking for chipmunks, and deep mud puddles.

Watch Your Step!

Evvy and I went to the lower Fay Falls this morning. I knew she would love the great pools at the bottom of the falls, and she did.  The cold water invigorates her so much, she runs willy-nilly up and down the banks.  It matters not how slippery the rocks are, and they are very slick.  Evvy falls into the water, and jumps right back up.  The unfortunate part is that she wants to include me in her frolicking.  She bounds toward me, and then jumps straight up my side.  I get soaked to the skin, and wonder if coming to the falls was such a great idea after all.  But I do enjoy watching her friskiness.  I should be so energetic.  Here she is taking a break from her swim.

Is it me? Or are there zillions of Red Efts under foot?  It seems like there are more around this year for some reason.  Especially after alot of rain, I find myself doing a dance of sorts when walking through the woods.  I don't want to step on these fragile salamanders, so I sometimes have to jump at the last second to avoid squishing them.

The third photo is a piece of very wet wood, that has turned a bluish-green in the decomp process.  The neat thing about it is, if you let is dry out and throw a chunk into your fireplace, you will see some cool colors burn forth.  Just a little tidbit for your cocktail dairy.

There are gobs of Partridge Berries out now for you crafters.  If you put a bunch of berries and the leaves into a clear glass globe jar, they make a nice centerpiece.  Be sure to keep some water in there, and put a tightly sealed top on.  Oh, and another tidbit....if you chew on the leaves, they taste like the Teaberry gum you can get at the Vermont General Store.  

Who knew?!

Outstanding in her Field

Despite all the "damp-ish" weather, Evvy and I walk the woods every day.  This morning was no different really.  I decided to walk up back behind my house.  It's beautiful up there, and at the top there is a nice view toward Fall Mountain.   Last night I heard a caucophony of coyote sounds. It sounded like they were right in the back yard.  I figured if I took Evvy up there this morning, she would find out what all the hub-bub was all about.  No such luck.  What ever the coyotes were doing, remains a secret.  There were heavy rains last night, up to an inch in some locations.  So I wouldn't find a blood trail if there was one.  I did see places where ferns had been trampled, but it could of been me from previous walks.  We walked up to a deer stand that I use in Fall, and Evvy found an old deer leg bone.  She had to lug that thing every where we walked.  Occasionally, she'd drop to the ground and gnaw on it for a while.    I let her carry it back to the house, but no deer bones in the house.....eeeeewwww.   Reluctantly Evvy gave up her prize, and I set it on the porch railing.

Yesterday morning, Evvy chased Chipmunks as she is always wont to do.  This time however, Evvy successfully caught one!  Much to my dismay, I never thought she would.  But I watched the whole thing play out.  The Chipmunk made a fateful error by attempting to climb up a tree where the bark was just falling away.  The bark did fall away along with Chippy, and Evvy was right there to catch him.  Unfortunately for the Chipmunk, Evvy "the chainsaw" has a strong bite.  I often wonder if she would make a good police patrol dog.  Anyway, the Chipmunk died instantly.  

Evvy didn't eat the Chipmunk, rather she galloped along seemingly proud of herself.  She would drop the little lifeless creature, then pick it back up.  Finally, she dropped and abandoned it.   When we came by that way again later, Evvy picked up her prize once more and carried it all the way home.  Once again.....no dead things in the house.  At the door, I asked Evvy to drop it, and she did.  Later, long after Evvy had forgotten her catch, I retrieved the Chipmunk from the porch and disposed of it.   

Evvy is so child-like, and entertaining except when she does naughty things; chase the cats, jump up on the glass french doors to get at chippy's outside, attempt in vain to chase cars, jump up on people, drive her cousin "Ringo" nuts, beg for people food, bark at chickens, guinea hens, cows, horses, and Old John Stevens who hikes stealthily(so he thinks) through the woods.  All in all Evvy is a good dog, and a great companion who never complains.

Flowers On The Connecticut

What a day to be on the river.  After tending to all the animals I'm watching this weekend, I threw my kayak onto the truck and headed for River Rd. in Westmoreland.  The drive there is by itself picture perfect the whole way.  But once on the river, I saw one wonder after another.  The river seemed perfectly still, and nearly flat.  I hugged the west shore for my paddle upstream.  I passed a muskrat swimming stealthily along.  I was happy to not see alot of garbage, though the silt may cover much of it.  I paddled up for about an hour and a half, then turned around for the return.  Beautiful flowering trees relinquished a sweet smell as an easy breeze picked up.  Cottony seeds rained down from Maples and covered the water like snow(if snow could cover water).  I saw a few Forget-me-nots, and small stands of Yellow Iris.  I looked for Scarlet Flower but didn't see any.

My original plan was to do some fishing, but in my haste to get going, I forget my pole!  Oh well, I did find some spots I'd like to return to for fishing.  I found that the west side of the river tended to be more silty, while my return trip was more rocky.  That is where I hope to do some fishing next time.  I saw fish swimming along, so I'm optimistic there is something to fish for.

I stuck my feet over the sides of my kayak and "cooled my heels".  It was so relaxing to just drift along, soaking up the sun.   After housting the kayak back onto my truck, I made a stop at "Stuart and John's Sugar House" for an ice cream.....my addiction.

Evvy and her mud

Last night at about 9:00 p.m. my friends and me were watching some large bucks grazing in a field.  They had just the start of new antlers showing.  There were three really good sized bucks, and one smaller one.  We figured there would be one for each of us come this fall.   We watched as the deer made their way to the top of the field and back into the woods.   Not fifteen minutes later, a cacophony of coyote sounds broke the silence!  Several coyotes could be heard not far from where the deer had been.  The yipping, and yapping continued for many minutes.  I couldn't help but wonder if they had found a fawn, another small deer.  My friend Josie then announced that two of their cows had been missing at last count.  At that point it was of course too late to go looking for them.  Hopefully, they were just misscounted.

This morning, I took Evvy up to the area where we saw the deer.  I figured if there had been anything killed, she would find what ever morsels were left.   But Evvy didn't locate a thing.

So either nothing was killed, or the coyotes left nothing of their kill.

We made a big loop through woods, and fields until we rejoined a walking path in a Monadnock Conservancy property.   Evvy took the opportunity to first wallow in a mud puddle.  Evvy likes to lay in the puddle, then put her muzzle under the water and fling mud and water up into the air.   Later she rinsed in a brook, by once again laying in it.  It makes my job alot easier because if she doesn't rinse I have to rinse her with the hose.  When I use the hose, we both get soaked.

What Happens when you Lose to a Stanchion

On Monday, I stopped by my neighbor's Holstein dairy farm.   There's always something doin, from fixing the Harrow, to catching cows.  Anyway, on this day they were moving some young cows around inside the barn(s).   I was game for this adventure, and found that it was alot harder than I imagined!  In fact it was a great workout, trying to pull these young lasses into their new location, and into their respective stanchions.  Until...  I was pulling a lively cow's head through a stanchion using a rope that was around her head and neck.   I got her head through the stanchion, then the rest of her came barreling through as well.  It wasn't pretty.  The cow plowed through, and past me.  The stanchion broke apart and cracked me squarely in the nose.   For a moment, everyone just froze and looked at me.   It didn't really hurt all that much at the time, but the bleeding was most dramatic.  Nevertheless, I wanted to continue to move these cows.  After pinching my nose for several minutes, until the bleeding stopped, I rejoined the "cow catching" game.  I had alot of fun, and worked up a good sweat.  As for the farmers, they got a good laugh, and were grateful for the extra hand.  

The bruising around my eyes has progressed over the last days, looking much worse than it really is.  I can't wait for my next impromptu visit to the farm!

Snakes & Hares

Evvy and I took a trip up to the rocky top of Derry Hill Rd. which is part of the Britton Farm in Walpole.  There are some neat granite outcroppings there that probably once had excellent views.  Now though trees and their foliage block any view.  Most of the smaller granite rocks are near perfectly square like bricks.  On one outcrop, someone had painstakingly begun to create small shelter.   Wondering if I might find any snakes, I looked in the dark spaces between these rocks.  Sure enough, I found the shed skin of a snake not too far from a Ringneck Snake.  I borrowed the photo from J.D. Willson, and the following description of the snake from the NH Audobon website.  

Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus) 
This small and slender species is, like the Brown and Redbelly, also quite secretive. Usually smaller than two-feet, the Ringneck is black, gray, or brown with a gold collar and a yellow belly. They prefer wooded areas with lots of cover in the form of logs and rocks and their diet consists of anything they can catch including salamanders, frogs, smaller snakes, earthworms and insects. The females lay 1 to 10 eggs in June or July and many females may share the same cavity for egg-laying. Some females keep the eggs in their bodies until they hatch. Otherwise, from egg to hatching takes eight weeks. It takes one year for them to reach sexual maturity. (www.nhaudobon.org/atn_snakes.html)

I found two of these snakes this morning in different places, but both under rocks.  

Evvy was interested in creatures that move faster.  She entertained herself by chasing, very briefly, a Snowshoe Hare.   Evvy was unsuccessful at catching the hare, just I figured.  She is not a good hunter, she just runs and bounds like a clod.  The only bounty that Evvy is successful at catching, is dead things, bones, carcasses, and of course the smelliest excrement she can find.

There was a hard frost last night.  I covered my garden, but some of the plastic blew off and exposed my spinach.  I'm not sure if it's damaged or not.  Looks okay.

It was a great morning for walking, no bugs!   So Evvy and I headed for Merriam Rd which becomes a logging road into Surry from Walpole.   There is a really neat hunting/get-away camp there.  It really IS the perfect spot.  A lovely brook flows right through the area.  The brook flows into what looks like a natural canal(top photo), and it's deep enough that you could sit in it.   You would have to be a pretty hearty individual though, because it's freezing cold.  Evvy loved it.  I followed the brook down slope for quite a distance, and found, cascade after cascade.  Each little falls as impressive as the first.  At one point the rock flattens out and looks like you could almost slide down.

Yesterday I took a Sunday drive over to Jaffrey, where I couldn't resist Kimball's famous ice cream.  Then I drove some backroads around Mt. Monadncok just as a fierce thunderstorm cut loose.  What fun!  The storm passed quickly, and I got this great shot from the north eastern side(I think).  I found great views all around the mountain even in gray weather.

Quintessential Walpole

I got up much earlier than usual today, maybe because the Robins were quite loud at 5:30 a.m.

Nevertheless, after my routine hazelnut coffee, and french toast, Evvy and I headed out once more for our morning constitutional.  I really had no energy to do it, but I'm always glad I do once I get into it.  The morning sun had burned off all the fog except for that over the Connecticut River. From the top of Sheep Hill I could see the line of fog, beneath the Green Mts in the distance.   The air was fresh and damp following three days of pretty steady rain.

After taking in the vista on Sheep Hill I walked north back toward County Rd. where you will find freshly tilled cornfields, recently cut hayfields, and the Jerseys of Crescent Farm.  The cows and bull, all ran along the fence as Evvy and I walked along.  The poor bull has had his horns cut off, still bleeding after at least a week.....eeeewwww.   Last but not least the top picture is my modest garden, which I am most proud.  I haven't attempted gardening for many, many years, but this one is going great guns.  My garden is days, maybe weeks ahead of others in the area.  The trick....I started earlier, and just covered the garden with clear plastic on the frosty nights.

I'll have cabbage, broccoli, tomato, spinach, celery, cukes, summer squash, and strawberries.

Thankfully, no creatures have found this little oasis.