It's Fall!

We have returned from our western drive and the seasons are starting to turn.  There's lots to be done to prepare for hunting season and then winter.

Creigh was out for a visit so we got the new elk mount unloaded and hung in its temporary spot.  Violet introduced herself.

She is also coming to terms with the other new residents.

There has obviously been a lot of rain in our absence - the pond is full.

My roundup attack did recover possession of the shooting shed.

Creigh noticed a visitor having a drink in the pond.

We went out to spruce up the hunting stands and found this one occupied by turkey vultures.

Creigh went in to do battle with the wasps.  I got hit twice by yellow jackets on the ground.

The enemy.

We also identified a couple of structural issues.  We made some basic, rookie repairs but left the weigh-bearing repairs for the craftsmen (Van mostly)

There is some rot (dry in some places and wet in others).

Line of sight also needed some work in some places.

I decided to take down an ash tree that was losing the battle to the emerald ash borers.  It also cleared a low hanging wire.  More cleanup required and there is an apple tree that needs to come down too.

Mixed results on the plots. I was disappointed in the brassica in the pumpkin patch.

The oats in the upper pond field were surprisingly robust.

Existing lower pond field clover.

Newly planted clover section of that pond field.

Main stand clover is pretty good.

The driveway clover has a smartweed issue.

The big main field also has some smartweed.

The orchard has milkweeds and other stuff.

The MSM treatment of the serecea lespidosa doesn't seem to have had great effect.

The orchard is having some attrition but there are survivors.

For those who have been requesting buck photos.

Ok, here's another.

Does this satisfy?

Does with twins.  Night Moves

Looking at you.

Coyotes. Here's some on the prowl. Coyote  Coyote 2

Foxes.  The bobcat photo was too poor quality.

The turkey vultures tried the mineral lick.

And the regular turkeys.

I see you.