Here's the hill I walk down from the cornfield to get to today's deer stand. Pretty, isn't it? There are always lots of birds in this area because it's much more wooded than the stand I was sitting on yesterday.
This stand is a permanent stand (meaning we don't take it down every year). I built this stand myself 2 years ago. Are you impressed? I was. Mr. Johnson had chosen the tree and I was in charge of the design. I did my drawing of how I thought the stand should be built, took the measurements, and then cut all the wood at home. We carried all the pieces out to the woods and then I built the stand. Amazingly enough, all the pieces fit correctly and the stand turned out exactly as I had envisioned it. I love this stand! It's big enough to set up this little stool and today I was even able to curl up on the floor and take a little nap! (Nope, I'm definitely not a hardcore deer hunter, am I?)
The warm weather has brought out a new hatch of insects. I watched this little stink bug walking up one of the tree trunks.
Of course, there are always several of these pesty little bushy tails wreaking havoc in the woods. I'm always amazed at how much noise such a small animal can make. But on a slow deer hunting day, their antics are always amusing.
Have a good weekend everyone!
15 comments:
Nice photos! Not a leaf left on any tree, either... guess it really is winter now.
Thanks for 2 blogs in 2 days, the pics are so pretty. You can see everything now, no leaves to contend with, just little animals and bugs. Even birds who we can't see are always present in the woods and they always make some kind of noise.
MOM
...well....that is pretty darn impressive!! You designed it, cut the wood and put it together. Alright!! Did you catch that Pileated Woodpecker in the tree today? Was he munching on berries?
I'm impressed Ruthie! You built that stand yourself? Why, there's no end to your talent! :c)
Hi Birdsong,
Those few really cold days we had in October combined with recent high winds pretty much took care of all the leaves. A dry crackly ground cover is good though because it magnifies the sound of approaching critters.
You're welcome Mom. The lack of vegetation sure does increase the views into the woods (as long as I'm awake to see them!)
Thanks Kelly. It was easy to visualize how the stand would work in the tree, what amazed me was that I actually crafted reality from a concept!
No pileated today -- he only hangs out by the other deer stand.
Thanks Jayne. Just give me some wood, screws, and power tools and I'm a regular Ruth The Builder (must have gotten a recessive construction gene from somewhere!)
Nice job on the tree stand. The only thing I can do with a hammer is smash a finger. ;-)
I really had to laugh when you took a nap on that tiny looking stand. Sure glad you didn't fall off and give the squirrels something to laugh about.
Neat post! I felt like I was right there in the stand with you. (Well, okay, that would have been a little crowded . . . but you know what I mean.) 60° day? Lovely temp to be out enjoying nature.
Cool--you own built tree stand.
But napping? I'd be afraid I would roll off.
I can envision deer gathered around me in a small circle, laughing their antlers off.
Armed with a "GO Girl" and a saw... there's no stopping the possibilities!
Hi Gaelyn,
I'm with you on hammers and nails -- this stand was assembled with a cordless drill and screws. It may look deceiving, but the stand is actually pretty spacious, I just curled up in a little ball on my side and only 1 foot was sticking off the edge!
Hi Mama Pea,
The other really neat thing about this stand is when the wind is blowing the stand sways with the tree movement -- kind of like being on a boat!
Thanks Donna. I'm lucky that I pretty much stay in one place no matter where I'm sleeping. Of course, there was that freaky "where am I?" moment right after I woke up.
You're right Carolann -- I'm always ready for a new challenge!
Hey Ruthie Do you build garden sheds and potting benches? :)
Hi Troutbirder,
never tried, but if you need either of those built, you should get in touch with Richard (At The Water)!
Oh, I should tell you... So, I have this guy friend and we walk several times a week together. When walking alone, I go right after work so to get done before its dark, but he and I will walk the trails after dark. Anyways, last Friday or Saturday night, we were walking one of our favorite, best for night walking and saw eight, maybe nine deer. All very close, some maybe even 10 feet or closwer. They swished their tails, but they didn't move. They seem annoyed we were there!
Wow Julie, those are some pretty tame deer! I supposed they were wondering what you guys were doing out there so late.....
Ruthie, I dig that stand. I'd like to put something like that in one of the trees on our property just to use as an observation platform (for checking out those birdies that like to hang out higher in the canopy), but I've never given too much thought as to how I might build the durn thing. Is there a permanent ladder included with that stand?
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