May 23 through June 12, 2010

Only one camera was working during this time period, and apparently only then for three days. I checked the mineral station camera on May 23, replacing the SD card. I left there for the next three weeks, thinking I'd have some great pictures. To add to my excitement, when I got down to the mineral station on June 12, I could see huge hoof prints in the mud, where the deer--large deer--had clawed at the mud and stump. Imagine my dissapointment when I got home and discovered the batteries had lasted only three more days, enough to take three pictures of an extremely pregnant nanny as she passed through the forest.

At 9:40 p.m. on the day I checked it, no less.

I changed the batteries in both working cameras and stuck new SD cards in them. In another three weeks, I should have plenty of good photos. Hopefully, those photos will include some spots.

Camp Work Day # 1

Friday, June 11, 2010, Justin, Josh, Bill and I camped out. When we got there, a large branch from one of the massive trees surrounding the old home site had fallen across the access road. Work day started early for us. First order of business was cleaning that up. That evening, we grilled out under a cloudless, moonless sky, watching the fireflies light up the wilderness around us.

The next morning, Jay joined us. Josh and I took soil samples from the four main food plots while the rest began clearing the underbrush away from the camp site and finishing up the fallen branch. We all pitched in after that, tearing down underbrush and small trees, loading the trailer, and hauling them away. Load and after load. Around 9:30, the clay gravel was delivered to the camp site. For the next hour and a half, we spread clay all around the newly widened camp site. Back breaking work in 100 degree heat. In the end, however, it was great to see a marked difference in the campsite. We opened it up greatly, took care of some fire hazards, and shored up the soil. A good days work.