Category Archives: Birds

Bear Baiting: a little discouraged

As of yesterday (Monday) afternoon there hasn’t been a bear at my bait barrel. I’ve changed bait from meat and sweet goat chow to doughnuts. The doughnuts did get the attention of one critter on the first night. I was excited for a split second when I saw the tipped barrel and a log on […]

The underground railroad in Grand Falls Flowage

eagle on railroad tracks Dick Miles

A couple of days after I wrote about fishing on the Grand Falls Flowage I received a note from Dick Miles. He said, “Have you thought of doing a story on the old railroad bed in the GF Flowage? Great fishing in those coves too!” An old railroad bed? Under water? Really? I’ve lived in […]

Fishing on Grand Falls Flowage

We opted to try a new place to fish this weekend rather than go to my favorite spot, Spednic Lake. It would be nice to keep a couple of fish for suppers. Steve decided on Grand Falls flowage in Baileyville (Woodland). He fished there once in a tournament with Dad many years ago. It was […]

Getting comfortable outdoors: 10 simple things to do

You don’t have to be a landowner or live in the country or woods to enjoy the outdoors. Here are 10 things that will get you going outside and maybe even learning new skills. Hike locally. You might not have to go far to find a hiking trail or dirt road. Check for no trespassing […]

Paddling Tomah Stream with friends

The weather forecast looked good. Partly sunny, 60 degrees, a breeze. Steve loaded the kayaks-an Otter, a tandem Otter and a Vapor 10XT (10 for ten foot), the lifejackets and a small cooler for lunch. The bug spray and other necessities were stowed away in a waterproof box in the Vapor’s well. Taylor, our youngest […]

I Love and Hate the Wild Turkeys

Eastern wild tom turkeys

It’s no secret that I don’t love the wild turkeys. It’s not an exaggeration some days to say I hate the huge feathered, giant flying crap machines. Their introduction to this corner of northern Washington county is enough to make me ask out loud “why weren’t they thinking when they decided to do this?” My […]

Bathing Bald Eagle

On my way home from Wabanaki Wilderness (archery shop) earlier this week I drove through Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge to Magurrewock Marsh. I hoped the pair of American bald eagles would be there, and I wasn’t disappointed. I spotted the first eagle on the nesting platform just off Rt 1 in Baring. The 300 mm […]

Red-breasted nuthatches are energetic birds

The red-breasted nuthatches (Sitta canadensis) are among the busiest birds coming to my feeders, matched only by the black-capped chickadees. They’re 4.5″ of non-stop energy. Like the chickadees, they have a short neck and round head. Their wings and back are blue-gray. They sport a black cap on the heads and black mask-like stripe along […]

Downy Woodpeckers

Male downy woodpecker

“Hey,” Taylor said, seemingly to nobody. We were the only people home and the dogs were asleep. “Hey,” she said again. “Hey, you can’t do that,” this time said as she walked toward a dining room window. Just outside the window are three seed feeders, a ball of suet and an energy bar for the […]

Canada Jays and Their Bad Reputation

Canada jay, Gray Jay, Whiskey Jack, camp robber, lumberjack, meat bird, gorby

The Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis) is one of my favorite birds. They’re entertaining when I’m sitting in a tree stand while hunting or when walking through the woods. They’ll fly up from behind, land ten feet ahead of me, wait until I pass, chatter at me, and fly up from behind again. They’re amusing themselves […]

Let’s Talk About Birds

This is my daughter Taylor. She’s a wildlife bio major in college, and was very excited to have the opportunity to handle Kahn, an immature goshawk that belongs to Dennis Kerekes. Dennis is training Kahn to hunt. I’m looking forward to the time I’ll be spending with Dennis and Kahn; Dennis is a patient teacher […]

Book Review: Maine’s Favorite Birds

Jeffrey V. Wells and Allison Childs Wells Illustrated by Evan Barbour Publication Date: May 1, 2012 Paperback, $15, ISBN 978-0-88448-336-6 6 x 9, 72 pages, 100+ color paintings Maine’s Favorite Birds by Jeffrey V. Wells and Allison Child Wells was written as a guide for beginner and intermediate birders as well those who are advanced. […]