Tuesday, March 23, 2010

A Walk with Gentleman Farmer

Late Sunday afternoon, he asked if I would like to go on a little walk
with him. Behind our home is a woodland that we fondly call
The Hundred Acre Wood. It is at least 100 acres,
and I am sure much more.
Gentleman Farmer grew up on
our piece of land, and explored these woods as a child.
He explores them still. He hunts there,
dreams there ~ he brought me there for a picnic
on one of our very first dates. He loves these woods and
all the creatures it shelters within.
This day he wanted to see if he might
find some winter shed deer antlers. This is
the month that the bucks drop the old ones so
the new growth may start.
I gladly went along ~ I love these woods, too!

~*~

About a half a mile on the old overgrown road
we come to *the old orchard* (the site of our afore mentioned
picnic). The weather today is typical for March ~ stormy one moment
sunny the next. Looking out over the orchard and the rocky beach
toward our little town across the water. The sky is cloudy,
raindrops fall and whitecaps are whipped up by the wind.

~*~




~*~

The local oyster workers are tending the clam beds
while the tide is out.


~*~
Another quarter of a mile or so, Gentleman Farmer finds the
deer trail that he wants to check out for the winter sheds.



~*~

Evidence of last fall's big buck activity!
This is a tree showing *buck rub*. The male
deer like to polish up their antlers ~ for fighting,
attracting females, or just to get rid of their aggressions!
The bigger the tree ~ the bigger the deer!
This was a BIG BUCK!


~*~
While GF went further up the brushy trail,
I remained behind and enjoyed the (momentary)
sunshine. Here is an Oregon Grape in flower.


~*~

Ahh ~ no wonder the hummingbirds were buzzing around ~
here is one of their favorite early blooming nectar plants ~
the Red Currant.


~*~

Do you know what this plant is?
This is a common foxglove.
Doesn't the name just conjure up delightful
images of dainty little foxes donning their
velvety little mitts!


~*~
Oh, and here are some wild forget-me-nots!
They just carpet some areas of this wood in the Springtime!
No flowers yet, but soon!



If you look carefully, you can spot all sorts of flora and fauna
in these woods. Watch where you step ~ there is a tiny
creature of the forest floor ~ a snail. Oops! It's empty!
Looks like someone had an Escargot appetizer!


~*~

The sun was starting to fade behind the western hillside,
and the wind was beginning to rise again, so we start back
toward home ~ no antlers to be found this time.
We did spot some coyote tracks along the trail.


~*~

We are not the only travelers of the road!
It is getting on toward evening ~ deer are most often seen at this time.


~*~

Gentleman Farmer and I were chatting as we walked along,
and we spotted this young deer just over the side of the road ~
so engrossed in some tasty morsel that is didn't hear us
even as we whistled, called and finally shouted!



~*~

Our next walk to hunt for antlers is already planned out.
He knows just where he wants to look the next time!


~*~*~*~*~

Joining Susan at A Southern Daydreamer
for Outdoor Wednesday!
~*~

"Blessed is the man the walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

Psalm 1:1&2


18 comments:

Hage og Foto entusiast said...

Nice photos. I really like that photo with the boat. Its a bit of romantic or dewy or how we say it. Its really nice anyway,, :) Have a nice day,

Lori said...

Hey Raeann! I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed this post! Felt like I was walking with y'all! :) I love that it gave us a wonderful glimpse into what your neck of the woods looks like. Thanks for sharing!
Hope you and your family are doing well!! I always love stopping by!

♥ Kathy said...

What a wonderful place to walk..so pretty! Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

Christa said...

What a wonderful walk you and Gentleman Farmer went on. Thanks for sharing all the pictures and the nature lessons!
What makes this special is how you explained how GF grow up on the land and now here you are taking a stroll many years later. How special! Not many of us can say we are living on the land we grew up on.

What a blessing,

Christa

The Old Cupboard Door said...

What a wonderful post. I loved walking down the trails with you and seeing all the sites you came upon. I hope GF finds his antlers on your next trip.

Joyful Blessings
~willa~

Camille said...

Oh what a gorgeous post Raeann!! How incredibly wonderful that you have all that at your "back door"!! I love the pretty pink flowers and all your picutres...so beautiful!! Thanks for sharing your walk with us. God's world is amazing isn't it?

Have a lovely day!
Blessings,
Camille

Greyhaven Pines said...

Beautiful post! How wonderful that you live on land with such special family history. The Engineer is a hunter, too, and we have been collecting elk antlers for awhile now, hoping to get enough to construct a chandelier one day.

Elizabeth

Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G. said...

Dear Lady Farmer,

What a beautiful walk! It's so green there, what a lovely piece of earth you live on. And what a treat to see the deer around your place, too.

Thank you for sharing this with us.

Love,

Marqueta

Ms. Bake-it said...

What a great walk! Love the history of it. Thank you for taking us along.

~ Tracy

Nadine said...

What a wonderful post! I felt as though I was walking along with you!
What fun the kids would have walking a trail like that - nature journals & cameras in hand!
How lovely to not only have your farmland, but woods & the water too! So many places to explore!

Blessings!
~Nadine

bj said...

What a delightful post you have for us today.Your woods are beautiful.
My hubby likes to hunt for deer antlers, too. He makes handmade knives and uses the antlers sometimes for the handles.
Happy Wednesday..

Deanna said...

Oh what a lovely walk... thanks for sharing the pictures so we could 'go along' too.

Blessings, Deanna

Cheri said...

Thank you so much for the walk! I so miss our two acre wood. What a blessing to walk out the back door and roam through such beautiful paths. I think I would be out there every day!

Sharon said...

Raeann,

What a charming post! I love it! You made me feel as though I was walking right alongside you. I love the flowers that grow wild, just beautiful. Perhaps you will take another walk when they are in bloom :) Thanks so much for sharing your walk with us :) Very nice!

Have a blessed day friend!
Sharon

Va said...

I adore the Oregon coast. We've visited there twice and I'd go back today if I could! Thanks for sharing. Your cat looks like our cat, Charlotte, who died last Thanksgiving week. She had been with us over 15 years. I still miss her. I shared your cat photo with my 6 year old granddaughter and she giggled at how much she looked like our Charlotte.

Anonymous said...

I thoroughly enjoy this post, Raeann! The buck rub is so cool... I am not aware of it until now.

Anonymous said...

To take the hand of your darling husband and go walking throught he books where he has shared his dreams with you...what joy you have dear friend :)

You have been truly blessed to be surrounded by such beauty and to see it come alive every season...

Thank you for sharing it,

Maria

Mrs. E said...

Lovely photos, Lady Farmer!! :)
Enjoyed taking the walk with you...
Isn't God's creation glorious?

Love & Hugs~
Miss Jen