Our Woods

[Ribcracker]

My wife and I have spent many hundreds, no, thousands of hours in our woods. During this time we've learned to identify each tree, which of them contain denning cavities, who occupies them, and when. We monitor owls' nests and keep records of the comings and goings of myriad wildlife in our journal.
We've improved deer trails by clearing fallen debris and those trails have become our foot paths. The deer keep the paths maintained through their browsing and constant passage.
We have a lot of affection for our trees and if a fallen tree pins down lesser trees, we work feverishly to free them so that they may flourish. They are like children to us. But moreover, we are their children.
The carpet of wildflowers in spring celebrate joyful rebirth from the cold, naked winter. We've learned their names and habits. And always, we're careful not to disturb them.
In autumn we collect hickory nuts from under the shagbarks, leaving half for the squirrels to cache and plant.
There is a big boulder with a sloping side that serves as an ideal backrest so we'll sometimes sit quietly with our backs to the rock until the woods come alive with activity. Moonlit nights become a haunting, nocturnal symphony. It's the greatest show on earth, eerie and surreal.
When we bought this property and found it backed up to hundreds of acres of woodland we felt as if we'd won the lottery. It had always been our fantasy to live in a remote woodland so we feel giddy with fat fortune.
Our woods bring solace, wonder, and renewal. Yeah, we're rich beyond imagination.

 

[marajade]

Beautiful post.

 

[mark cline]

I agree 100% with everything you have said. In 2 yrs . , my wife and I will be moving in to our handcrafted loghome and then 2 yrs after that , I will retire at the young age of 60. For the 2 yrs before I retire ,I will be commuting back and forth to work , each way is 1 hr and 10 min, the drive is as interesting as a walk in the woods.
I spend many hrs walking through our woods, looking at tracks, taking notice of possible , dead standing trees for firewood. Finding , watching, and hunting wildlife in their respective seasons . The different seasons and changing weather are all elements that add into an enjoyable walk . Cold , snow, rain, fog, sun , clouds , day , night , sounds , smells , all your senses are alive in a simple walk or I call it a wander , never knowing exactly where I'm going , just letting the day and woods guide me . Eventually making my way back to the cabin , maybe in an hr , maybe 4.

 

[Charles1981]

My wife and I have 20 acres of woods and wetlands. Its beautiful, but during the summer the mosquitoes are a nightmare.

 

[jdp1152]

The only thing I'd add as a qualifier...Mother nature and the ecosystem know how to survive, and live on, much better than you and any intervention. If you're cutting down a pinned tree or clearing a path, its for you, not them. They will adjust, it's what they do and much better than anyone here could do. I do feel similar having moved from the city to the closest area where I could own some land and still get in and out with some ease. It wasn't cheap, but every few days I look out the window and see an abundance of wildlife and trees and all of a sudden the extra 20-30 minutes commute is worth it. I love checking my trail cams...not because I hunt anymore, but just to see what I'm missing when I sleep. It's pretty cool really. Enjoy it.

 

[jebatty]

The woods is dynamic, every day is different, constant change, in fact thrives on change. Somewhere I read "the only things that don't change are dead things." But even they change as they return to fuel new life. A week ago I was in our woods overlooking a winter ready wetland, brown grasses and cranberry colored laurel in full fall color. I spotted what looked like two ears in the grass, a shape that wasn't typical. And soon I spotted the animal underneath, a wolf, and then watched it for 20 minutes as it poked and weaved through the wetland, only to disappear in the distance. That experience occurred while deer hunting, but the wolf spotting was the highlight of this season's deer hunt -- priceless to share space with such a noble animal.

 

[Knots]

Nice post. I don't watch professional sports. I wander around on the lot trimming and selecting trees...

 

[Ribcracker]

Mother nature and the ecosystem know how to survive, and live on, much better than you and any intervention.

I know that's true. There's a lot of natural drama out there and sometimes it's more drama than I care to witness.

One time I was walking in the yard and came across a garden snake attempting to swallow a frog. He had completely engulfed the frog's leg and I could tell there was no way he was gonna be able to swallow the rest of that frog. Yes, snakes can unhinge their jaws but I think he had already done that in order to manage the leg. The frog had run out of fight and seemed resigned to his situation. Since a snake cannot unswallow a frog, we had a "situation".

I went to the house to summon Chris (not sure why) and as we approached the scene, a red-tailed hawk swooped down, picked them both up and flew off. That resolved the situation.

Another time, I heard constant splashing on the other side of the pond so I went to investigate. I found a female mallard furiously beating her wings against the water trying to get airborne but she seemed to be caught on something. I knew there was some old fence wire through there so I thought she may have become entangled in it. I went back to the house for some wire-cutters in the hope of freeing her. I waded out to the duck and as I reached for her a huge snapping turtle rose to the surface with a firm grip on her leg. I broke off a dead piece of snag and whacked the turtle's back. At that moment the duck flew off...minus her leg. Then the turtle turned toward me. Chris urged me to return to shore and I needed little persuasion.

The duck alit awkwardly on a log near the far shore and sat there for several hours before finally rolling off into the water. It was sad for me.

There was no sign of her the next day. I'm certain she became food for either the turtle or some other opportunist. Her cycle was completed.

Life is hard for them...for all of us. I know I shouldn't anthropomorphise. It needs to be that way.

 

[BradleyW]

Last year we bought our home on 14 acres of old pasture and wetlands. I've come to realize that I don't necessarily love nature on its own, but nature as it intersects with humans. I love clearing a path through the overgrown brush. I love clearing a spot by the creek so that the kids have a place to play by the water. I love cutting down the dead spruce trees and burning them in a campfire. Not sure what this means, but maybe I'll figure it out in the next 20 or 30 years.

 

[bugman31964]

My wife and I purchased a home in 1990 with a wood lot of 30 acres. Over that time the "land" has provided us with meat/harvested deer and turkey, firewood for heating, enjoyment of nature viewing (we put in food plots to feed the wildlife), and the ability to leave buildable lots for all of our children when we are gone if they deside to build their homes. The wood lot will provide a cushion to our retirement once that time comes. It is nice having land, but if we could have a "do over" I think we would have gone for a newer home with less land. Parts of our home are 100 years+, which has created some unusual remodeling challenges.

 

[gyrfalcon]

Wonderful stuff, Ribcracker. My dad used to say, "Nature in the raw is seldom mild," and he was right. My mother used to tell me if you want to see wildlife, just go into the woods or a meadow and sit down and be quiet for a while. Watching critters go about their lives is a joyous thing, but sometimes it's also very painful and hard to reconcile to.

There's a really wonderful book about managing a woodland I think you would like a lot called "Flying Blind: One Man's Adventures Battling Buckthorn, Making Peace with Authority, and Creating a Home for Endangered Bats" by a guy named Mitchell who lives in my general area.

http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/flying_blind:hardcover

You can also get the paperback from Amazon, I'm pretty sure.

 

[kennyp2339]

That is the lottery to me, hopefully I get as lucky as you in the future, Im saving up now for it.. thanks for the great post!

 

[Ribcracker]

"Flying Blind: One Man's Adventures Battling Buckthorn, Making Peace with Authority, and Creating a Home for Endangered Bats" by a guy named Mitchell who lives in my general area.

Thanks for the tip, Gyrfalcon. Amazon does in fact have it in hardcover for $20 but I'll check my library before committing to buy.
I do have a fondness for bats. Roughly thirty of them (little browns) bob and weave over our pond at dusk during the warmer months. I haven't noticed a decrease in our mosquito pestilence but it sure is entertaining to watch.
Peace,
Bud.

 

[gyrfalcon]

Thanks for the tip, Gyrfalcon. Amazon does in fact have it in hardcover for $20 but I'll check my library before committing to buy.
I do have a fondness for bats. Roughly thirty of them (little browns) bob and weave over our pond at dusk during the warmer months. I haven't noticed a decrease in our mosquito pestilence but it sure is entertaining to watch.
Peace,
Bud.

Have you heard of "white nose syndrome"? Here in the Northeast, it's completely devastated our bat population, all species. 6 or 7 years ago, I had bats swirling around my house at dusk in summertime, and how haven't seen a single one in the last 5. And it's spreading.

I've never been bothered by mosquitos where I am because the air is only very rarely still, so can't speak to whether the absence of bats has caused them to multiple more than usual.

FYI, you can get it used at Amazon for just a few bucks if the library doesn't pan out.

 

[TimJ]

Ribcracker, thanks for the post. It was a very good read

 

[KindredSpiritzz]

I think Henry David Thoreau would approve of your post.

 

[golfandwoodnut]

I love land and the outdoors. God is not making any more of it, well I guess there are a few volcanoes that add to it. I am either golfing, hunting, scouting, fishing or cutting wood when I have the the time. I have 23 acres in PA, 130 in NY and love it all. I think you can improve the woods as you have. For example vines will kill some very good trees and food plots can help the animals. Keep up the good work and enjoy nature. It is amazing.

 

[Ribcracker]

Have you heard of "white nose syndrome"? Here in the Northeast, it's completely devastated our bat population, all species. 6 or 7 years ago, I had bats swirling around my house at dusk in summertime, and how haven't seen a single one in the last 5. And it's spreading.

Yes, bats are dying across North America, with a loss of nearly 6 million since 2007. Apparently, the epidemic started in upstate New York but is spreading outward and Vermont is getting hit pretty hard, as you know.
The Michigan DNR announced recently that the fungus has been detected for the first time within our state's borders. White-nose syndrome has been found in three Michigan counties and I suppose it's just a matter of time before it comes to mine. One can hope not, but alas...

 

[gyrfalcon]

Yes, bats are dying across North America, with a loss of nearly 6 million since 2007. Apparently, the epidemic started in upstate New York but is spreading outward and Vermont is getting hit pretty hard, as you know.
The Michigan DNR announced recently that the fungus has been detected for the first time within our state's borders. White-nose syndrome has been found in three Michigan counties and I suppose it's just a matter of time before it comes to mine. One can hope not, but alas...

Yes, just a matter of time, sadly.

There's one small tiny bright spot, which is that they've discovered here at least that there seems to be a small fraction of the Little Brown Bat population that is resistant or immune and is surviving. It's not much, but it holds out hope that at least that species may be able to recover over a few decades from that small resistant population.

 

[Shane Collins]

I'll probably get that book and have a read. Hopefully I can make my land more welcoming for the bats. I have 23 acres and we still have bats flying around at night. The other evening my wife and son were sat by the patio doors at dusk watching the bats flying around, there were quite a few of them. Nice to see them around still.

 

[sportbikerider78]

Yes, just a matter of time, sadly.

There's one small tiny bright spot, which is that they've discovered here at least that there seems to be a small fraction of the Little Brown Bat population that is resistant or immune and is surviving. It's not much, but it holds out hope that at least that species may be able to recover over a few decades from that small resistant population.

I live in central NY and have lots of bats around my house. There are always bats diving in to catch moths and all sorts of critters. My house is a clearing in the woods, so my home lights attract all sorts of stuff.

I too love nature and all it has to offer. A calm walk with my dog and 2 yr old son. Falling a tree that is blocking a view. Landscaping trees and grooming the property. Picking up dead wood and sticks.

I also love building trails and riding a wheelie through the woods at 40mph on a screaming 4 stroke dirtbike! So loud it terrifies all wildlife for miles! Throws a dirt roost 20 feet in the air...brapppppp

 

[BoiledOver]

Stay away...........................

 

[nyny]

My wife and I have spent many hundreds, no, thousands of hours in our woods. During this time we've learned to identify each tree, which of them contain denning cavities, who occupies them, and when. We monitor owls' nests and keep records of the comings and goings of myriad wildlife in our journal.
We've improved deer trails by clearing fallen debris and those trails have become our foot paths. The deer keep the paths maintained through their browsing and constant passage.
We have a lot of affection for our trees and if a fallen tree pins down lesser trees, we work feverishly to free them so that they may flourish. They are like children to us. But moreover, we are their children.
The carpet of wildflowers in spring celebrate joyful rebirth from the cold, naked winter. We've learned their names and habits. And always, we're careful not to disturb them.
In autumn we collect hickory nuts from under the shagbarks, leaving half for the squirrels to cache and plant.
There is a big boulder with a sloping side that serves as an ideal backrest so we'll sometimes sit quietly with our backs to the rock until the woods come alive with activity. Moonlit nights become a haunting, nocturnal symphony. It's the greatest show on earth, eerie and surreal.
When we bought this property and found it backed up to hundreds of acres of woodland we felt as if we'd won the lottery. It had always been our fantasy to live in a remote woodland so we feel giddy with fat fortune.
Our woods bring solace, wonder, and renewal. Yeah, we're rich beyond imagination.

not only is your posting odd, you left out some beautiful items like...........swarms of gnats, swarms of mosquitoes, swarms of beautiful deerflies, and individual, 2 inch horseflies, greenheads. and mama black bears looking for her younguns. i like the woods as much as anyone, but comeon, it's the woods

 

[D8Chumley]

I have come to appreciate it more as I age. I'm almost 47, we own 5 acres that borders the 5 acres the state took as eminent domain many years before I moved here, and that borders an active farm field that one of the big pharmaceutical companies here owns. I hunt here, have a small garden, and lots of room for firewood. Our 3 boxers love the place, plenty of room to run and chase rabbits, squirrel and chipmunks. I look out any window and see woods, not neighbors. That is special to me, and I enjoy it more with age. Our kids hated it 8 years ago when we moved from the development we lived in, but it seems there are kids sleeping over here every weekend these days. My SF buddy has aptly named our place Firebase Burke I hope to spend the rest of my days here, secluded, but 5 minutes from anything I need

 

[Gboutdoors]

not only is your posting odd, you left out some beautiful items like...........swarms of gnats, swarms of mosquitoes, swarms of beautiful deerflies, and individual, 2 inch horseflies, greenheads. and mama black bears looking for her younguns. i like the woods as much as anyone, but comeon, it's the woods

I was raised with woods all around and worked on farms and in gardens as a child and loved the special connection we always had with the forest and the land. I got married at 20 moved to a two family in a small town we bought and raised our twins there. We raised our children to love the land and water as a place to have fun,peace,and get away.

We bought our forestland (22acers) 5 years ago built our new home and now my wife can't believe we waited so long to do this. Our daughter was heart broken at first that we sold the old house as it was her home for so many years. Now after 5 years she and her husband can't wait to get here with their new born son to relax in the woods and watch the many critters walking in the YARD. Our son loved the place as soon as we started talking about buying it.

As D8Chumley said we hope to spend the rest of our days here secluded but 10 minutes from anything we may need. The woods have a very special hold on my heart that some may not be able to under stand and for this I am truly grateful.