Category Archives: Wilderness Classroom

Time to Move On…

Trail-worn moccasins whispered in soggy snow. Up on the rise, a blue jay sang a contented morning song: “Swip-it! Swip-it! Swip-it! ” Sunlight streamed through the hardwoods. The aroma of warm bark perfumed the fresh, cool air. Three steps and … Continue reading

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Not Worth the Risk

Thursday, 3 November 1763 Quick glances proved fruitless. Somewhere overhead little claws scratched bark. A different fox squirrel chattered in a distant slender oak. A yellow poplar leaf whip-sawed earthward. Gnats flitted about. The air smelled warm, damp and fall-like. … Continue reading

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The Wisdom of Long Ago

One-by-one, five blue jays hollered. A chipping sparrow bobbed up-and-down on an autumn olive sprig. Its beak opened, but the blue-jay ruckus overpowered this tiny, forest tenant’s “chip, chip, chip, chip, chip…” The constant “JAY! JAY! JAY! JAY! JAY!” intensified … Continue reading

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Drafting a new meaning

Canada geese ceased honking at the first shot. A few minutes later a second shot, which sounded like it came from the far hillside, echoed up and down the River Raisin. An anxious thumb rubbed the Northwest gun’s jaw screw. … Continue reading

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A Rendezvous with an Old Hen…

Two wild turkeys squabbled. The rampage continued longer than most; the altercation sounded unresolved. An hour after first light the two began dithering at each other, on the ground, to the south. Blue jays screamed, adding a sense of intensity … Continue reading

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Temptation Teased…

Temptation teased. Three broad green blades of prairie grass rolled between sweaty palms. A greasy, blackened thumb pressed the tangled ball into the Northwest gun’s muzzle. The young turkey’s gray pate again popped up in the deep grass and yellowing … Continue reading

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Relying on Constant Self-Evaluation

A solitary gray head appeared. A young wild turkey stretched its neck, then cast inquisitive glances side-to-side in the deep prairie grass. The petite bald head disappeared in the shadows. Here and there a grass blade twitched. A bronze-feathered shape … Continue reading

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“Never say never!”

A finger flipped twice. “Arrkkk…ark,” again the gravel-mouthed hen uttered two soft tones. The finger traced an imaginary line indicating the doe trail that wandered into the red cedar trees. The west face of the hogback ridge, just up from … Continue reading

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