The red-bellied woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker that lives year-round in most of the eastern United States. Since it has bright red plumage on the back of its head, it is often confused with the red-headed woodpecker.
On The Road Again: A Trip To Maine’s Rapid River
“I Suck at Fly Fishing." It's a sentence on a bumper sticker gifted to me by a friend. I didn't know how much it applied to me this day, but I certainly sucked at following directions. Bob Duport had emailed them to me, along with a map. I went to the wrong place, and now I was more than 30 minutes late for our rendezvous.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Northern Pike Have Teeth
Anyone who has gone fishing and caught a northern pike knows one thing for sure: they have sharp teeth! Northern pike are carnivorous fish that grow to large sizes and are often pursued by sport fishermen. Why? Because they eagerly strike artificial lures and put up a great fight.
On The Road Again: The Maine Pond House
Ralph moved us to the Pond House, still in Lovell, Maine. The previous cabin (the one with the squirrels) had been nice. This place was a major upgrade, though! All wood paneling and ceilings, fireplaces, comfortable leather furniture, pond views out of enormous windows, nicer than our home, certainly nicer than the van.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Golden-Crowned Kinglet
There is a very tiny bird that migrates through much of the United States at this time of year that goes unnoticed by most people. It is larger than a hummingbird, but not by much. A normal house sparrow is almost twice as big as this bird. It is only 3 to 4 inches long and weighs less than a third of an ounce! So what is it? It is the small but very energetic Golden-Crowned Kinglet.
On The Road Again: Lovell, Maine
We settled in, then began checking our surroundings. The cabin was a 60-second walk from Kezar Lake, one of Maine's premier fisheries. Numerous other ponds were nearby. We had access to kayaks, and canoes, and a johnboat. The surrounding area had farm stands, and hikes, and restaurants, and best of all, we had an entire month here.
Five Grunt Call Tricks that Work
A grunt call can turn an ordinary day into a big buck celebration. It’s easy to use, inexpensive, and can bring the deer of your dreams right to you. Over 30 years of chasing whitetails, I’ve learned that a grunt tube can be a hunter’s best friend and often creates hunting opportunities from seemingly non-existent situations.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Migrating Sandhill Cranes
Sandhill cranes are some of the tallest birds in North America. They stand a full four feet tall and have an impressive wingspan of more than seven feet. Some individual examples have a light tan hue to their feathers, but most are a dull gray.
On The Road Again: The Green Mountain State
Susan had said, "We should go to Vermont. I've never spent much time there." Not part of the plan, but a good idea. I always liked Vermont. Change the plan! We crossed the border and went through customs at Rouses Point, New York.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Playful River Otter
River otters are playful mammals that spend much of their lives in and around the water. Their antics include chasing other family members through the water and on land, wrestling with siblings and playing with fish that they have caught - prior to eating them, of course.
On The Road Again: Quebec City
Morning found us on the way to Old Quebec City. We found a parking garage that, at 18$C, seemed like a bargain compared to Montreal. We made our way to the tourist information office, immediately impressed by the old, well-kept buildings, the profusion of flowers, and the street art.
Renewal
The early fall season is an active time for wildlife in this part of Montana. The moose are in full rut, and the elk are bugling, while working out a hierarchy of the biggest and baddest bulls. Bighorn sheep and mule deer are still in bachelor groups during the truce time before their own annual wars of dominance.