Injured

Bliss came up lame after our last woodcock run.  I couldn't find any thorns in her pad and thought perhaps she had pulled or strained a muscle. The next day she was worst so a trip to the vet was in order. He found a thorn in her hock from an earlier run had formed an abscess.

It's been two days and I've taken the bandage off and am soaking her leg in Epsom Salts.  She's on antibiotics, is starting to put a little weight on her leg and seems to be on the mend.  When you consider the terrain our dogs run through it's a miracle they aren't injured more often.

Finding Some Birds

The woodcock have finally started to move through some of my coverts and Bliss and I have had several enjoyable days afield.  First is the Fish Hatchery Covert.

The Buffalo Covert also held a few birds.

Another Piney Creek Walk

A head and chest cold has kept me from my woodcock coverts for the past two weeks.  Yesterday I finally made it out, taking Bliss for a walk along Piney Creek.

One fall day several years ago I ate a small but tasty red apple from this old tree.  Yesterday I was able to prune a little scion wood from it.  Hopefully I can get a successful graft and keep this old unknown variety alive.

Bliss hunted hard but after 2 hours she had found no woodcock and I was afraid we were going to get "skunked".  I could see the truck in the distance when suddenly she froze into a point.

She held perfectly until I flushed the bird, and suddenly the long walk was well worth it.

Vernal Ponds

The vernal pond in the Back40 has come to life.

The Wood Frogs who have lived hidden in the surrounding brush and leaf litter have returned to the pond seeking mates.

Success 

A walk Along Piney Creek

Took Bliss for a walk along Piney Creek looking for woodcock.  Bliss hunted hard but none were found.

3 old apple trees growing by an old foundation. I took scion from the tree on the right and have a nice grafted tree growing in the Back 40 orchard.

Working in the Orchards

I've been busy cutting scion wood to ship to other grafting "addicts" and pruning the trees to make them grow into the shape I want them to.  Any branches growing toward the center of the tree or rubbing other branches must be removed. You need light and air to reach the center of the tree for good health and good fruit.

Before

After

Black Oxford scionwood.  An old Maine variety that ripens late in the season. Beside being a fine eating and cooking apple it makes a good wildlife apple, hanging on the tree into the winter months.  The scionwood must be cut from one year old branches to ensure a successful graft. 

Red Tail

When you live on a farm, animals die.  With my Cochin chicken hobby and my great nephew Caleb breeding show hogs we occasionally have a dead animal to dispose of. We have a designated area in the Back 40 where we place carcass. Caleb had a sow somehow break a leg so she ended up there. This Red Tail Hawk has been visiting the site for a free meal for several days. The trail cam I got for Christmas has given me some nice pictures.