REVIVAL

The sun now has more power. Wavelengths begin to reach the snow pack deep in the heads of northerly facing hollows. Tiny rivulets begin to form, slowly at first; but gaining momentum with each passing hour. The sun is a powerful ally. The mountainside begins to show a few brown patches. Hints of green tantalize the imagination as tiny green ramp leaves poke through the leaves. Trilliums and violets soon follow. Black-throated Green Warblers and Solitary Vireos return and tease us with their song. Rivulets will get stopped by the cold nights, the trilliums and alliums will be compressed by yet more snow. The singing will continue. Spring is finally here.

Spring means many things to many people; some just go by what they hear on TV. When I see the first serviceberries bloom; I know there is a little bit of hope in respect to the end of winter. Not much, but a little glimmer; anyway. There will be more of that nasty white stuff, it will not last. Might not even stick; but all the same it will make its presence known. I’m a hummingbird person, myself. I know that when the first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return; it is time for morels, asparagus and ramps. This is also about the time that water temperatures hit 50 degrees. Trout begin feeding on a myriad of underwater life forms.  That means spring to me. My earliest return date for hummingbirds is April 17 and the 26^th is my latest. April 22 has the most first sightings this century; here in Randolph County.

Spring is the season that we all look forward to; sadly it is often cut too short. We all need to take advantage of every pleasant day. Soon, it will get hot. There is just so much we want to do and need to do in a short period of time. First on the list here are peas, lettuce and onions. Cabbage and broccoli soon follow. There may be some time in between for a couple of fishing trips; before the end of the month monsoons that always seem to come. My potatoes go in the ground when the catbirds show up. Then it is turkey and trout time. I can hardly wait to get out there.

Believe me when I say that the older you get; the longer the winter becomes. If I remember right, the first day of deer season, it was about 5 degrees on the mountain I chose. I believe that I have been cold since then. April brings hope it is a time to rejuvenate. Can you now feel the warm sun on the back of your neck? I can hardly wait to feel that Clouser thump and a trout shaking its head. Dirty knees, bags of ramps and some fish heads for the tomatoes. Are all things I think of when I hear that spring word. Hurry up April and be kind when you get here. We've had enough.

This is my April 2014 column for the print edition of Two-Lane Livin. (c) 2014 All Rights Reserved

SPRING

SPRING

April brings us hope. The winter of 2009-2010 fades from memory.  Melting snow triggers the emergence of morels and ramps.  The run-off from the massive snowpack is well on its journey to the Mississippi Delta. Streams return to normal flow. Songbirds return, turkeys gobble and fish become active. It happens every year. Most of you live in the area where spring begins in April. Where I live and play, spring doesn’t begin until May. There isn’t much difference in the mountains; between March and April, except for a few more teaser days. Yeah, I know that the official date of the Spring Equinox is March 20. That is OK, if you live in the Deep South. My belief is that it isn’t spring, until I see my first hummingbird of the year.

The only thing that I have to complain about; regarding spring, is that it doesn’t last long enough. Back in the days when gas was cheap and life was good, I became spoiled. I knew that I would be in a palmetto swamp; in Macon County, Alabama on March 20. My job was guiding turkey hunters at one of the premier hunting lodges of the South. Turkey season ran until April 30. Alabama’s spring didn’t quite last that long. Sweltering summer heat usually began around the third week of April. I could always tough it out, knowing that I would be arriving in the Allegheny Highlands just in time for spring. I would hunt in the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia and follow spring north, usually ending up in New York or Vermont as the dogwood blossoms faded away.

What is the first thing you think of, when you hear the word spring? I think green. Not just any green; the green of emerging leaves. I then have an image of white; no not the white shimmer of snow that we have all grown tired of, the white bloom of serviceberry and the dogwood florets, with edges of brown. Honey bees on crocus bloom. The chorus of singing toads, gobbling turkeys and the dreaded irritation of a string-trimmer are all sure signs of spring. I think of the smell of freshly mowed grass and the aroma of bacon and ramps, wafting from a streamside campsite. I think of activity. People, who haven’t been visible; during the previous five months, magically appear in their lawns and gardens. Birds busily gather materials for nest building. The woods come alive with song. Aquatic insects awaken from near dormancy, their activity increases with each rising degree of water temperature. Fish begin feeding after the long winter; gaining strength for the upcoming spawns. These are a few of my thoughts of spring. I hope they make you think of flowers, baby birds and warm spring rain.

Spring is without a doubt, my favorite season. I would be happy if summer’s heat never arrived and the dull gray days of winter only lasted for a few weeks. Now, I believe I will take my Vitamin D pill and start doing my taxes.

Happy Spring

This article first appeared in Two-Lane Livin April 2010.

First Trout 2013

(c)2013 HVI

Well, I finally did it. I made myself go fishing for the first time since June 2, 2012. Every time I have had a little time in 2013; the water has been frozen or flooded. I rode over to the Middle Fork this morning and arrived on the stream at 6:40. I was back in the truck at 7:12. I believe that I made a grand total of 11 casts. It was a pleasant morning, my waders had no holes and the Barn Swallows were quite entertaining. Maybe I'll make myself go again. I hope the rain we are supposed to get today turns out to be the Mushroom Rain.

Middle Fork (c)2013 HVI

Change is in the Air

Pied-billed Grebe (c) 2013 HVI

That little drab bird that you have seen all winter long bobbing and diving in the ponds and backwaters is no longer drab. Our Pied-billed Grebes are getting some color. They are getting ready to move into secluded cattail stands to raise their broods. We do not have a strong breeding population here in West Virginia; but there are a few pairs that choose to stay here and raise their young. Soon they will be stamping down a mat of vegetation and laying their eggs. It may be somewhere near you. One will never know what is going on around them; unless they make the effort to observe.

(c) 2012 HVI

Changes happen on a continuous basis but; do we see them? Yes, changes are in the air on this first day of pseudo Spring.

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors  Photos by High Virginia Images (c) 2013 All Rights Reserved

Spring Trophy

I had a couple of hours to spend in the spring gobbler woods, this morning. The whip-poor-wills were very enthusiastic; as I was leaving the truck. The turkeys were silent. I was walking up a small ridge, shortly after daylight and a ruffed grouse flushed; about 4 feet away. There were 7 eggs in the nest. I believe this is the first grouse nest I have ever seen. One interesting note about it was that it was maybe 10 yards away from where I found a woodcock nest last year.
I proceeded to stroll around on some log roads, waiting to hear a gobble. It wasn't going to happen on this day. I walked right into a silent strutting gobbler. Moving to a different area, I found the trophy of the day. Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostereatus) are one of my favorites. I usually do not find many of these edibles this early in the season. The spring woods offer many enjoyable bounties for the observant one. I sat for about a half-hour, called a few times and walked back to my vehicle. Of course upon arrival at my truck, I saw several turkeys feeding in an overgrown field; within 50 yards of my vehicle. You have to love May in the spring gobbler woods. The best time of the year.

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors
Photos by High Virginia Images
(c) 2012 All Rights Reserved

A SPRING THING

A SPRING THING

The stars are bright, the air is cold. You stand on a ridge; awaiting daylight. There is silence on the mountain; your mind wanders. Is this frost, or just real cold dew? Stillness, a shiver; a shooting star lights up the sky. In the distance, a barred owl breaks the quiet; who cooks for you, who cooks for you-all. Another one answers from the hollow below. The woods begin to awaken; songbirds tweet and twitter all around. Thinking you heard a distant gobble; you turn to the west, nothing. Geese arise from a distant pond, honking noisily. You think that this racket should make a turkey gobble; as the geese fly over. Silence from the turkeys.

The first flock of crows sounds off and there it is, a gobble; from the hollow below. How far is he? You wait. He gobbles twice more and you now have his roost site pinpointed. You head down the ridgeline, as quickly and quietly as possible. He hasn’t gobbled in a while; you stop and wait. What seems like an eternity in reality is about 5 minutes and he sounds off once more. You think that he is about three hundred yards further down, roosted in a little cove. You find your favorite diaphragm call and place it in your mouth; to loosen it up. The head net and gloves are next; as you travel on.

The woods are getting lighter by the minute and you have closed the distance by half, all is good. Then it happens; deer, those dreaded deer. Four explode from a spicebush thicket; blowing and snorting. They head right through the little cove that the gobbler has roosted in. Dejected, you trudge on and set up on a little flat above the cove. Silence and more silence. You make a few soft tree calls; nothing. The sun has risen, you wait. One minute seems like an hour. Then, you think that you may have just heard a turkey fly down from its roost. You think; but you’re not sure. You make a short fly-down cackle and wait. Nothing. You patiently sit and whatever you are sitting on; seems to be getting bigger and more uncomfortable by the minute. A shrew is determined to go up your leg. You grow impatient and try a series of yelps. Wait ten minutes and do it again. Eight o’clock nears; the gobbler has not announced his presence.

Your legs are asleep and your butt is numb. You think; one more try and I’ll go. You do a loud series of cuts and a gobbler sounds off from the next ridge over. He gobbles again and is headed down the ridge. You need to go down the hollow and get in front of him. Hastily, just gather up all of your junk. You stand and take three steps and there he is the one you’ve been waiting for all morning. He has just ventured out of his little cove and come up on the flat. He takes one step and sails down the mountain. Gone.

What happened; you may ask. Nothing, this is a normal scenario played out morning after morning in the spring turkey woods. You need to remember that the turkeys are just being turkeys; they go about their normal routines and are in no hurry to do so. They sure aren’t bothered by deer. We are the impatient humans. Be patient and be successful.

This article first appeared in Two-Lane Livin

(c) 2011 by High Virginia Outdoors  Photo by High Virginia Images All Rights Reserved

Micro-Morels

The morels in my yard popped up, this morning! (3-24-12) They are a full 3 weeks ahead of schedule for this location. Over the last 5 years my asparagus and morels have emerged on the same day. the morels are always up first. I will check the asparagus a little later this afternoon; nothing yet.

I had singing Pine Warblers this morning, too. I normally do not see them here until around April 5. The serviceberry bushes are blooming now , also. They too are also a little early this year. I have yet to see a hummingbird show up, but it will probably be any day, now. Hummingbirds, morels and asparagus are normally real close. The toads are singing and the catbirds will be next.



Posted by High Virginia Outdoors (c) All Rights Reserved 2012.

Hummingbird Feeders Up ?

It is that time of the year; much earlier than normal. I just finished putting up some of my hummingbird feeders. We can expect them at any time now. I looked at the map of migrating hummingbirds at Hummingbird.net and they have been reported in KY, Ohio,VA and southern WV; as of 3/20. It looks like they will beat the catbirds this year !



Posted by High Virginia Outdoors
Photo by High Virginia Images

All Content (c) and protected. All Rights Reserved

First Butterfly

I saw my first butterfly of the year; a Mourning Cloak, this evening on the Right Fork of Middle Fork in Upshur County, WV. The Spring Peepers were calling loudly and laying eggs. I also saw several clusters of Wood Frog eggs. I flushed a woodcock in the same wetland area. No trout, but the dogs had fun. It sure was nice to enjoy a warm evening, thanks to daylight savings time.

The Last Day of Spring Gobbler Season

Last Day of the Season


The alarm clock sounded at 2:45. The plan was to leave an hour early and get back into the head of a particular hollow in the black dark. Hopefully this tactic wouldn’t spook some turkeys which had been roosted along an access road. The only way in. At 4:50 I awoke. Way too late. I think I may just pass on the mornings hunt. No, maybe I’ll go over to another place. No, I don’t want to deal with the owl hooters and four-wheelers, Maybe I’ll go over on the hill. Hate hunting there. Talking to myself, running options through my head.

In the truck ay 5:05 headed to the original destination; I know that I’ll get there too late. It is a mile or more into the head of the hollow; where I want to be. I hurry up the road and reach the top of the first hill, it is 5:32 and one is gobbling already. I hurry on towards the next ridge. I can hear two other gobblers in the distance, as I close in on the nearest bird. At 5:55 I settle in above the gobbler. It now sounds as if there are two there. Silence, more silence, I yelp softly. They double gobble and are all ready on the ground and headed my way. I yelp a few more times. Silence.

I look down the ridge and here they come; three big gobblers. For some reason, I was expecting jakes. They are closing in fast and I’m in a super uncomfortable spot. Safety off, gun pointed in the right direction, one arm wrapped around a sapling, this spot really sucks. No time to change. Yelp, gobble, boom. It is over; the other two gobblers attack the downed bird. They jump in the air and come down upon their fallen comrade, spurs digging in in fury. One struts around the deceased, the other picks up the dead gobblers head and slams it on a rock. I stand up and everything is once again quiet. I look at my watch, it is 6:26. Two gobblers are gobbling in the distance as I walk back to the truck. A nice way to end the 2011 spring gobbler season. There are good days and bad days; but you will never experience the good ones, if you don’t go.

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors

May 10, 2011- A Fine Spring Morning

The alarm clock sounded again at 3:45am. A quick look outside showed cloudy skies. The temperature was 45. I headed to the mountain. A whip-poor-will was calling in the middle of the road. It flew, as I was digging for the camera. I parked a little farther up the road; at what used to be one of my favorite turkey hunting spots.

I hear a second whip-poor-will in the distance; as I climb the hill. I wonder if there are still any turkeys here. Daylight comes and one gobbles down the ridge. I move about 200 yards closer and stop to listen. Whoosh, then a scream. A Red-tailed Hawk nearly takes my hat off. I look up and another is headed my way. To my left, I see their nest. The gobbler sounds off again. I move away from the hawks nest and try to find a place to set up. The tangle of green-brier make that difficult. I call, he answers and flies down. He moves up the ridge and I circle to the head of the hollow and set up. I call one time and here he comes; on a dead run. One problem, he went by me so fast that I couldn't shoot and he is now straight behind me, about 15 yards away. I can't see him through the briers. He gobbles and struts. Every-time he gobbles, I can feel it.

He clucks several times; trying to find the hen. I have to do something. I carefully slide around the tree. Still can't see him. He gobbles and gobbles. Then he clucks for a location. I cluck back. This goes on and on. We can not see each other, so close; but seemingly so far away. I slowly and carefully stand up. Gun ready and he gobbles again. I still can't see him. Twenty minutes later, arms aching. Same deal. Gobble, gobble, cluck, cluck back on and on; we just plain and simply can't see each other. Two hens come in and I can hear them walking up over the hill. Silence, a black and white warbler lands on my shotgun. It goes down the barrel; searching the joints of the ventilated rib. It makes it down to my hand and sits there for a little while. Black-throated green warblers are active all around, several gorgeous hooded warblers join in. I see movement from the hilltop. A hen walks by me in perfect view; apparently headed for her nest site.

The gobbler sounds off once more in the distance.  I move to where I think he was and settle in. Something on the ground about 20 yards away catches my attention. It looks like the leaves are slowly coming toward me. It is a woodcock, feeding along; probing for worms. The turkey gobbles; he is on top of a high-wall. I call, he gobbles on and on for about twenty minutes. I can't go up; he will not come down. We call it a draw. The woodcock passes by at about three feet; probing away and very content. So was I. It is now 8:30; the gobbler quit gobbling and we will take up where we left off: Tomorrow.  I bet that I will not sit down anywhere near a brier patch.

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors

Wildflower of the Month/May

Wake Robin

May is trillium month in the mountains. Members of the trillium family grow in rich moist woodlands. The Wake Robin or Ill-scented Trillium (Trillium erectum) is not the showiest member of the family; but it is the most common and can be found throughout our region. When the trilliums bloom, spring is officially here. My favorite trillium has to be the Large Flowered Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum). The large, creamy flowers are stunning; when in peak bloom. The Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum) is a beauty of the higher mountain regions and can usually be found at elevations above 2500 ft. May is the time to get out and enjoy the spring woodlands. Do not overlook some of the more inconspicuous wildflowers.

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors    Photography by High Virginia Images

Spring Has Now Officially Arrived

It is now officially Spring.  The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrived here on April 20 and the first batch of morels and asparagus were picked and consumed on April 21.  I have never been one to get excited about the generic Spring in March.  But, these are the signs that I wait for.  Happy Spring !!






Posted by High Virginia Outdoors

Wildflower of the Month/March

Coltsfoot

The Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is one of the earliest blooming wildflowers.  This species was introduced from Europe.  It was first seen in Monongalia County in 1933 and has spread southward and statewide.  Coltsfoot is now a common plant of roadsides and waste areas.

The bright yellow flowers are a welcome sight after months of brown, white and gray.  When you see the Coltsfoot bloom, you know that the Spring Peepers and Spring is on the way.

This photo was taken near Mingo, in Randolph County, WV on March 17, 2011.

Spring Wildflowers In West Virginia

A Celebration of Spring

Spring used to be my favorite time of the year, but I haven't had time to enjoy it; recently.  I heard the first Spring Peepers of the year yesterday evening.  I thought that I may get up early this morning and go fishing.  I got up early, but the wind was roaring at about 25 mph.  At 8 0'clock, I decided to ride over to Evenwood and get some skunk cabbage photos.  I looked on Wednesday and they were just emerging.

I rode up Shavers Fork at Bowden, the river is still too high for my tastes.  The fish truck was pulling out, along with its faithful followers on its way to Gandy.  It picked up more of the entourage at the top of Shavers Mountain.  There were 8 vehicles at Evenwood and all but two joined in the merry chase.  The anglers who stayed were fishing at the bridge, soaking dough.  Joey and I went downstream about 300 yards and I caught my limit on about twenty casts.  It took all of thirty minutes.  Then it was on to the skunk cabbage.

 It turned out to be a quite pleasurable morning.  this was the first limit of trout that I have caught in about 5 years.  This was also the first Spring morning that I have been able to enjoy for about 5 years, without the worry of being in phone range.  I became unexpectedly unemployed yesterday and for the time being, I intend to enjoy a few Spring days.  Having been on call for 365 days during the last 5 years, I think that I deserve a couple of nice days.  Enjoy Spring Once More !!!

Blah

That is how I feel right now; just like these poor crocus.  Sitting there, hoping for just a few rays of sun.  Hoping for a chance to once again bloom; before they die. Blah.  I would have some pretty flowers to photograph; but it doesn't appear that the chance will arise, before it is too late.  The snowdrops were pitiful; killed by the snow.  They never had a chance.

It appears to me that; by the time we can get anything accomplished around here that it will be so late in the season; that everything needs to be done at once.  The maddening rush before it gets hot and dry is not enjoyable to me; anymore.
I had several articles in mind; but need photos to go with them.  The weather just doesn't cooperate.  If it isn't cloudy and dreary; the wind is howling.  Not the most photogenic conditions.  Of course, it is supposed to be reasonably nice tomorrow, but of course Thursday is my tied up day of the week.  Maybe someday.

The Quack Is Back

The quack of the Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) can now be heard throughout the High Virginia's. These small terrestrial frogs are late winter breeders.  They lay their egg masses in small vernal ponds, as soon as the ice melts.  The adults will soon leave the breeding ponds and spend the rest of the year in moist, wooded upland areas.  They are difficult to locate during the non-breeding season, so you need to get out and listen for the quacks in the wet bottom lands, now.  The frog with the robber's mask is fairly small; about 2-2.75 inches in length. The colors of the Wood frog can range from shades of brown to almost black, so you need to be observant.  They are much larger than the well known Spring Peeper.  The Wood Frog's range extends farther North than any other reptile or amphibian.
A Wood Frog's Life (Nature Upclose)
A Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Eastern & Central North America (Peterson Field Guide Series)

Garden Wonder

The poor old garden is in a standstill, waiting for spring, like everything else.  Not much is happening down there; under the snow.  But I do imagine that the chickweed continues to grow.  I don't even know if my garlic emerged last fall; when it was time, it was covered with snow.

Fifty degrees this morning with howling winds.  Rain and snow by evenings end. One day it will stop and spring will emerge; all will rejoice.  But soon after the heat will come and everything will be parched and dry.  We all enjoy the fleeting days of spring; but there is always too much that needs to be done.

Spring Greens

I had some scrambled eggs and ramps today.  Ramps are without a doubt the favorite and most anticipated harbinger of spring in the High Virginia's.  I have never been one to harvest more than needed of anything and often come up short at the end.  Especially nowadays.  But, it seems that I hit the ramp harvest just right.  I have two more packs in the freezer.  It will be a month or so before these spring greens will be available in the Pocahontas mountains; where they are sweeter than anywhere else.  But you can bet that when the snow recedes, the green will be there and so will I.

When Spring; Springs

When is Spring ? Yeah, the calender says March 20 and that may be true in the Deep South, but it doesn't apply to the High Virginia's. For a few years, I have been trying to figure out when the morels emerge. I have finally discovered the first day of Spring; for wherever you may call home.

I noticed that morels and asparagus make their initial emergence at the same time; apparently from the strength of the sun warming the soil enough to trigger growth. This also coincides with the first Ruby-throated Hummingbird sighting of the year.

Now don't go out and expect to find a full-grown edible morel at this time. You need to know exactly where they are, just to see them barely peeking through the grass. It will be a week or more before they are of picking size. But when the first asparagus pokes through the soil, so does the little bald head of the morel.  It is now time to put out your hummingbird feeders too.

When is this magic day ?  Here, in my yard it is April 18-20, the true first day of Spring.

How to Find Morels