Osprey Migration

The Osprey migration is underway in High Virginia. Be sure to check out dead trees along your favorite waterways. September and late April are the most productive times to view this large bird of prey in our area.

September Streams

Have you noticed that stream side parking areas are vacant ? I know you aren't thinking of fishing in September, but maybe you should. You may receive an enlightening experience.

I stopped by the local river this morning; not expecting to see much. This particular area is normally fished pretty hard and it is rare; if a fish is released to swim again. There were 7 smallmouths at the edge of a rock bar. All of them appeared to be in excess of sixteen inches.


On September 2, I stopped at a popular springtime fishing area. I never thought that this stretch of water was capable of trout survival, in the summer months. I counted eleven trout; browns, rainbows, stocked brook and one native brook trout. These were all in one stretch of water about 20 yards long. Three of the trout were actively feeding. This observation really surprised me. There were more trout present at this location than the bass, which I was expecting to find.

The low, clear waters of September allow you to see what really swims in your favorite waters. Fish tend to be concentrated and visible. A stealthy approach is required and you may be surprised at what you will find.

Get out and enjoy the September waterways, don't just sit around and let the migrating Ospreys have all of the fun.

Music Review/Jamey Johnson-Good Stuff

I spend alot of time on the road and can barely stand to listen to the radio. Senseless dribble and sugar pop country music are not appealing. Classic rock; I've heard it all, a thousand times. It seems to me that music died as we entered the 80's. During the last few decades there have been a few bright spots; very few.

I was living in Alabama in 1990; one day, I heard the tail-end of a song on 92.3 Montgomery. It took me a few more weeks to find out who it was singing "Put Some Drive In Your Country", I then bacame a fan of Travis Tritt. Mary Stuart soon followed on my short list of favorites. "This One's Gonna Hurt You" is one of my all-time favorites. I always eagerly anticipated Travis and Marty's newest releases. Until; I happened to see a video of Travis Tritt doing a song about travelling from Johnson City, TN to Richmond and they showed he and some pretty girl driving through the desert among many cacti. That was Travis' end for me.

For me, it has been pretty much a whole lot of WAYLON, with a few others thrown in. I heard "The Dollar" a few years ago and the voice caught my attention. I heard "In Color" on the radio one day and the voice caught my ear again. I bought "The Dollar" and "That Lonesome Song". I normally purchase about 2 CD's per year. "The Dollar" is good, but "That Lonesome Song" is outstanding. I have become a Jamey Johnson fan.

Most of the music that I enjoy, was available on eight-tracks. So, I usually don't get excited about the new stuff. I am eagerly awaiting the release of Jamey Johnson's "The Guitar Song" on September 14th, 2010. I'm sure that you and I will not be disappointed with this double cd. Did I mention that Jamey's cds are not the usual 30 minute rip-offs, there is some substance to them.

Do your ears a favor and get "The Guitar Song" now. You can pre-order from this page. If you like real-quality country music, you can find it, with this selection. Enjoy.




That Lonesome Song                   

Dollar

This One's Gonna Hurt You


Ghost Train (The Studio B Sessions)
Live at the Ryman

Butterfly of the Month/September-Monarch

What other butterfly could be considered for September ? The Monarch (Danaus plexippus) is the logical choice. This winged wonder is highly visible, while making its way to wintering grounds in the mountains of central Mexico. This instinctive journey is one of nature's wonders. 
This  migration is amazing; because this adult butterfly has never before made this journey. This butterfly you see in September is most likely headed to the Sierra Madre Mountains, where the hibernate by the millions. In the spring, the emerging butterflies reproduce on their northward journey; replenishing the species, into southern Canada, by summers' end. Then the southerly migration begins, as autumn nears.

Most of us are familiar with the distinctive caterpillar of the milkweeds. The larvae feed, until ready to preform a J-shaped hanging quiver. This suspended caterpillar forms a chrysalis. The adult emerges from this chrysalis and the cycle is repeated.

The September Monarch is truly a winged-wonder.

Monarch Butterfly   Monarch and Milkweed Monarch Magic!: Butterfly Activities & Nature Discoveries (Williamson Kids Good Times!(Tm).)




monarch canvas prints

Chicken of the Woods-Tomorrows' Meal

These Chicken of the Woods mushrooms were photographed on the morning of September 1. I am going to pick them tomorrow morning Sept. 3rd. They will be simmered in garlic and olive oil and will be topped with a nice juicy Brandywine. Kind of makes you want to drool dosen't it?






The Complete Mushroom Book: Savory Recipes for Wild and Cultivated Varieties

Wildflower of the Month/September-Ironweed

September brings us the underrated Ironweed. I always look forward to their purple splender. This tall wildflower is a butterfly magnet.
The New York Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) is common, statewide in moist bottomland fields. Tall Ironweed (Vernonia altissima) is common in moist areas west of the Alleghenies. One other ironweed can be found east of the mountains. The Broad-leaved Ironweed (Vernonia glauca); though rare, may be found in some locations to the East.
The purple flowers of these species are a host of numerous butterfly, moth,wasps, bees, flies, bugs and other insects. A pure field of Ironweed in the perfect light is a sight to see.

Yellow Ironweed (Verbesina alternifolia) is the common yellow flower of roadsides and fields. This tall yellow flower; while is by no means  spectacular or rare, is an important host for many species.

While on your travels through the fields and forests of September, do not forget to observe the weeds. You never know what you will find there.



The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers--E: Eastern Region - Revised Edition

Diversify

One sure way to get the greatest pleasure from the outdoors is to diversify your interests. We tend to get stuck in the rut of doing the same thing at the same place, all of the time. I once read that the average American spends 90% of their life within a 30 mile circle of where they are born. I would be willing to bet that the circle is smaller in West Virginia. I am not going to suggest travel in order to spend time outdoors, not in these days of high fuel prices. You can get more enjoyment from the places in which you normally spend time.

You probably already know where the turkeys roost and the deer feed in your normal haunts. When can you expect to hear wood frogs at their breeding pools, on what date do the scarlet tanagers return? You cannot answer that one can you? The old-timers knew when to expect everything. The TV generation does not. Here is my one little challenge to you. During the next month, learn to identify one bird, butterfly and tree that you are not familiar with and do this within one mile of your home. I can hear you thinking now. You know everything that grows and flies in your area. No, you don’t and you will be happily surprised to learn this when you give it a chance. Be observant and my prediction is that you will not stop at one new species.

Those who spend time on the water can add diversity to their pastime, by paying a little more attention to aquatic life; other than fish. Learn about the underwater organisms and how they fall in the food chain. Remember, the key to catching fish is to know when, where and what the fish is feeding on. This is all based on water temperature and life cycles of smaller organisms. If you want a real eye-opener, get involved with a watershed improvement organization. Volunteer a few hours to participate in water quality monitoring and make sure you do a benthic survey. It will not be difficult to find a group near your home and all are in need of help. You will enjoy the work and will learn to appreciate our waterways in a different way.

Photography is the one thing which has made my outdoor life more meaningful. Skills of stealth and the power of observation are two necessary requirements of nature photography. Curiosity is also important; you do not want the title of your photo to be cute caterpillar. You will scour field guides to find out what the image really depicts. This research will likely bring back things that you used to know; before your mind became cluttered with important things like algebra. Photography can be simple or advanced. It is up to you in how well you choose to advance your skills. My one tip on this subject to help shorten the learning curve is to: learn how to set your white balance manually.

If you are one who quit learning when you graduated; shame on you. Learning is a lifelong experience. Diversify and improve your quality of life.

This Article first Appeared In Two-Lane Livin




A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs: Northeastern and north-central United States and southeastern and south-centralCanada (Peterson Field Guide)     Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring: An Environmental Education Program for Schools
The Digital Photography Book
The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2
The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3
Bryan Peterson's Understanding Photography Field Guide: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera
Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification and Natural History (Princeton Field Guides)
Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars of North America