Only about 60 days until Eric and I have to do a 10 hour horseback ride over the continental divide in order to get into camp for an elk hunt in Wyoming. Just to get a sense of the trails.
On the trail in the forest
So we did a three hour ride as a warm up to develop a little saddle hardness. We were in Shawnee State Forest via Ben's Happy Trails.
Ben's Happy Trails It's a very nice place to ride. I'm feeling it a bit today.
The boys were waiting for us when we got back to the farm. They demanded an immediate Ranger ride.
We were about 1/2 way thru the camera tour when Elliott started to droop.
He didn't just nod off - he was zonked. I guess that we've kept them pretty busy.
When he woke up, we went to the pond and the canopy came in handy once again.
Action Shot - a Monster
Tommy caught a bass.
Elliott caught a bluegill (or two).
Burgers on the porch followed by s'mores.
They were a crowd-pleaser.
A nice sunset. Too whipped to go out looking for the comet.
Back to the pond before breakfast. Elliott caught the bass this time.
Not the best landing.
Eric and I did a little shooting. The canopy was a lifesaver again.
Top right target is me with my 30-06. I started out a little low and dialed it up. Eventually I will want it 2" high at 100 yards. The groups are getting better. Bottom target is Eric with his 308. And the top left target is me with my "bear medicine". It's a lightweight 44 mag.
I had trouble with the buffalo bore rounds in this gun so I ordered some Garrett Defenders. They shot a lot better out of this gun but I had two misfires out of the first six rounds. Not a confidence builder for a bear defense round. I will be consulting with them about this.
No problem ejecting the spent rounds with this load. Two misfires in cylinder.
We got 1.6" of rain this week and the pumpkins are happy. So are the weeds.
These rosepinks are blooming. We are finally seeing the butterflies - monarchs and swallowtails. They had been strangely missing until this weekend.
The roundup spray on the soybeans did its job. These soybeans never really fill in like I would expect.
Upon close examination, you can see why. The deer won't give them a chance to grow.
The sunflowers have started to bloom. They're probably 1/2 way to peak.
More Ranger rides.
How about some doe activity from the cameras?
Mommy with fawn.
Airborne.
The turkeys are hanging out near the grape arbor.
It's bachelor group time. This is a nice buck.
He's has one forked tine like a mule deer.
What should we call him? Muley? Split? Fork?
A nice looking 10.
Oh yeah, another Mommy and fawn.
Got an itch.
Entirely respectable.
The coyotes are also prospering.
And a few from last week - goofballs.
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