Celebrating a year of Blogging

Today I pause to celebrate the completion of my first year of Blogging.
It has been an interesting year to say the least. When I began I had no intention of doing anything serious with it. My son, Chad Oneil, and some of his friends began blogging. I in turn registered with blogger as Salty Dawg and began leaving mysterious comments on their post while dropping clues to my identity along the way. All were wracking their brain; following the clues in their attempt to solve the puzzle of the “Mystery Commenter” who seemed to know so much about them. In the end Chad “Super Sleuth” Oneil called our home and asked to speak with Salty Dawg! Having found the photoblogging community to be a friendly place I decided to clean things up and begin a reasonably serious piece of work.

I have been impressed with this online community. Particularly with the friendly, supportive comments which I very much appreciate. In a venue where all comments are for the most part anonymous, I have yet to receive a comment that I find offensive. I appreciate my loyal readers; you are the folks who drive me to make the next post at those times when I am experiencing Bloggers Block, you are the motivation forcing me to pick up the camera and head out at times when I feel I would rather sit on the porch. I enjoy reading your blogs and find inspiration in the writing and images you post.
I have learned much about our world from your blogs, I have enjoyed visiting many places both far and near through you photographs and I have learned a great deal from all of you about our common interest in photography.

During this past year I have made 184 posts. The purpose of each post varied; many were to share the beauty I encounter, in others I shared a glimpse of my life, past and present, some were to educate you the viewer on issues concerning wildlife management and sharing my opinion on these matters, while in others still I have shared the philosophy that I have developed while spending over one half of a century traveling down this path of life.

The image posted here is a compilation of one posted image selected from each month. As for now my plans are to take a few days off, collect some new images and then be back refreshed and renewed with great anticipation of the joys that my second year of blogging holds in store!

Thank you all for making this First Year of Blogging such an enjoyable and fulfilling experience!

Whitetails and their Impact

Unprotected

Protected

Pennsylvania DCNR (Department of Conservation & Natural Resources) has actively been attempting to reduce deer numbers on the State Forest lands under their control. Their position is based upon the damage the deer herd is doing to the timber production and the biodiversity on these lands. This has become a political “hot potato” in the Keystone State. Hunters want as many targets as possible and have been very vocal about the herd reductions impact upon their sport. Farmers trying to eke a living from the soil have also been seeking a reduction in deer numbers. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is caught in the unenviable position of trying to find a middle ground where all factions can arrive at a consensus.

The impact that deer have upon regenerating woodland, once only hypothetical, has now been put to the test. The photos accompanying this post were taken in an area clear cut a few years ago. Both were taken while standing upon the forestry road, first looking south where the new growth was allowed to naturally regenerate. The second was facing north where as you can see a deer retardant fence stands. Judge for yourself, but in my opinion the difference is clear cut.

July 4th, Independence Day

While we celebrate this Independence Day let us not forget the cost. So often we honor our men and women in uniform past and present as the ones who have sacrificed that we may enjoy this great gift of Freedom. Let us not forget the sacrifice of their families at home. We cannot forget the mothers longing for their sons return, the young wife wondering if her child will ever see Daddy, the father lying down to rest after a hard days work only to find sleep will not come as he worries about what is happening to his son’s unit currently deployed in the desert sands. Let us not forget the grief of the families who’s loved one returns as a casualty of war.

Let us not waste the Great Gift of Freedom for which they all have paid so dearly. Our media thrives on reporting about what is wrong with America. Reports of our problems fill our air waves; friction between races, ethnic groups, citizenship status, political parties etc is reported by news anchors who’s demeanor suggest that they are an authority on each and every story they report when in fact they are only actors who’s job it is to drive ratings with no regard for the damage they may do.

In this age of Globalization some business leaders think only of the short-term profits outsourcing off-shore can bring. Wall Street money managers coolly calculate their next strategy of how to legally separated working people from their hard earned cash. We are over run by politicians whose main concern is filling their campaign chest that they may once again win reelection while representing their major campaign contributors and not the citizens of their district.

It is the responsibility of each citizen to let his or her voice be heard. Write your politicians, vote, attend local government meetings, become involved in your community,

IF YOU ARE NOT A PART OF THE SOLUTION
YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM!

Collage Notes: The banner in memory to Christopher Cutchall is from a memorial display on the side of his parents barn, The Helo’s along with the Marine & Sailor are images from the dedication of a Memorial for a young local Marine KIA in Iraq. The tombstone is that of my Great-Great Grandparents. Great-Great Grandfather served with Company B 3rd Regiment Maryland Volunteers in our Civil War.

BlueGrass at the Old Home Place

The sounds of booming Bass Fiddles, racing Banjos, heavy rhythmic Mandolin chops, and the sweet melodies of the Resonator Guitar filled the air along with the timeless harmonies unique to Bluegrass Music. Bands came from a three state area to display their talent.

Country folk gathered to enjoy the evening of music and homespun whit combined with good conversation. Po’ folk and millionaires sit and visit in this setting with no indication of differences of social status.

Bluegrass at the Old Home Place is an annual tradition dating back nearly three decades originally hosted by The Sounds of Grass and now by The New Connection.

A New Crop?

Could this farmer be trying out a new crop? I captured this crop as it was appearing in the field. After much preparation it took only an hour or so for it to appear and grow to its mature size.
To learn what crop our farmer is growing……… Check back

A Picturesque Barn

The barn stands empty. Only a few traces of the old barnyard fence remain. The cattle and horses that once lived under its roof have been gone for over a half of a century.

Wildlife has reclaimed what was once theirs. Whitetail deer and wild turkeys are the most common life found around the barn, along with my brother, The Pennsylvania Wildlife Photographer.

Gypsy Moths, The Conclusion

The Gypsy Moths are finishing their life cycle. The caterpillars are gone, having metamorphosed into adult moths. I captured this male while he was resting.

A female depositing her eggs

Many females busily laying eggs are visible in this photograph. Near the bottom a male searching for a mate can be seen. With the large number of egg cases being deposited the outlook for next year appears bleak.

Meet “Peter Cottontail”

This friendly little fellow is nibbling grass while looking for his daily handout

I shot this photo on our family farm last evening. Most summer evenings my Dad takes a tour of our farm on his John Deere Gator. Dad eats lots of apples and will keep the peelings in the glove box of his gator until he meets up with the wild bunnies. Although they will not hop over to them while he is there when he checks back the peelings are always gone.

The Woodchuck

Groundhog, woodchuck, and pasture poodle are only a few of the common names these little critters are known by. How people view them varies with their experience. Many folks see them as pest. Having a family of groundhogs living near ones garden is a sure recipe for disaster. Farmers hold the little critters in low esteem because of damage created by their burrowing. The mound of dirt at the entrance to their den has been known to flip more than one tractor while farming steep ground. Farmers in the past were always mindful of how easily a horse’s leg could be broken from stepping into a hole. I can think of no one who really likes woodchucks outside of those whose passion is hunting and then this love quickly turns deadly for the chuck.

This chuck and his extended family recently took up residence under some buildings on our family farm. Large holes dug into the dirt floors of the machine sheds and around the building foundations guaranteed that I would perceive their presence a problem. An evening with the .22 was all it took to begin to regain control.

Gypsy Update

The carnage of the Gypsy Moths continues unabated. As the caterpillars near the end of the feeding cycle they are consuming every last piece of greenery available. In some areas hundreds of acres have been defoliated while other nearby areas are nearly untouched.

In areas of large infestations the devastation is complete and the caterpillars are on the move. In this photo one can observe the stain on the asphalt were untold numbers of caterpillars have been crushed by passing automobiles.