We have dams! These things are impressive. There is a network of what we thought to be only four well constructed dams that have effectively blocked the flow of the natural spring, which feeds our ponds, and merrily runs its course across our land and out into the river that borders our property. These beavers have used many sticks, trees (they "cut" them down themselves, by meticulously gnawing a tree until it falls, leaving a sharpened stump---like a sharpened pencil--in their aftermath), and natural silt and mud to build up these dams and stop the flow of water. This frustrates land owners, but the beavers enjoy their hard earned pool.
Well, when I said "what we thought" to be only four dams.....we "thought" that because only four were initially visible. When we dug through the largest (and deepest) dam, with the falling water level, we discovered a fifth....once hidden....dam, now exposed.
If you like duck hunting, and would like to only use your low lying land for that specific sport, then beavers might be for you. Not me! I would like to use my land for crops, thank you very much beavers. Something must be done!
I used to think they were cute.......
Monday, July 23, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Land and creepy crawlies: Ticks
It's a horrible picture, but here ya go:
The number of ticks is astronomical this year!
Info on these little creepy-crawlies:
These guys are durable. I had a live tick crawling on clothes as they came out of the dryer. If you find a tick on you, get it off of you before it attaches....and smash it's head with something flat and sturdy against something flat and hard! (some people will say to burn it), but I say kill it at earliest opportunity.
There are hard ticks and soft ticks. The hard ticks tend to attach and feed for hours to days. Disease transmission usually occurs near the end of a meal, as the tick becomes full of blood. It may take hours before a hard tick transmits pathogens. Soft ticks usually feed for less than one hour. Disease transmission can occur in less than a minute with soft ticks. The bite of some of these soft ticks produces intensely painful reactions.
How to prevent them (in theory):
1.Avoid grassy areas and shrubs where ticks populations may be high and where they reside, waiting to grab a ride on a potential host.
2. Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be easily seen, and brush them off.
3. Tuck pants into boots or socks to avoid ticks crawling up loose pant legs.
4. Apply insect repellant and use the brands designed to repel ticks. Avoid use of DEET-containing repellents on children.
5. Promptly check yourself, others, and pets if exposed to areas where ticks are likely to be located.
**And remember to protect the animals!
The number of ticks is astronomical this year!
These guys are durable. I had a live tick crawling on clothes as they came out of the dryer. If you find a tick on you, get it off of you before it attaches....and smash it's head with something flat and sturdy against something flat and hard! (some people will say to burn it), but I say kill it at earliest opportunity.
There are hard ticks and soft ticks. The hard ticks tend to attach and feed for hours to days. Disease transmission usually occurs near the end of a meal, as the tick becomes full of blood. It may take hours before a hard tick transmits pathogens. Soft ticks usually feed for less than one hour. Disease transmission can occur in less than a minute with soft ticks. The bite of some of these soft ticks produces intensely painful reactions.
How to prevent them (in theory):
1.Avoid grassy areas and shrubs where ticks populations may be high and where they reside, waiting to grab a ride on a potential host.
2. Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be easily seen, and brush them off.
3. Tuck pants into boots or socks to avoid ticks crawling up loose pant legs.
4. Apply insect repellant and use the brands designed to repel ticks. Avoid use of DEET-containing repellents on children.
5. Promptly check yourself, others, and pets if exposed to areas where ticks are likely to be located.
**And remember to protect the animals!
Progress: Trees on dams have been cut!
Well, we have spent several (and by several, I mean at least 6) more hours (in the hot Carolina weather, mind you!) cutting trees. We have spoken to a good friend who regularly cuts hay on his property......we'll see if our land would be worth his time. I hope it is worth this man's time to cut the hay! I am REALLY looking forward to getting this grass/weed combination cut (some parts are waist high). There are many areas where weeds have entangled trees to the point where a cut tree will remain standing until these weeds are "disconnected!" This land needs some work, and we're happy to do it!
Updated pics:
-trees on the dams have been cut
Updated pics:
-trees on the dams have been cut
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Our Farm: The Beginning
Hi all!
Myself, having grown up on 20+ acres (well, at least for a few years of my life....the formative ones!), and my husband who also (at one point in his life) owned 40+ acres; we understand the joy that comes from the privacy and satisfying work having land can offer....joy that no subdivision can offer.
We closed on our 37.47 acres on May 31st, 2012. It was becoming grown up with shade trees, especially on the dams that separate the two ponds on the property. Since Thursday, we have invested a good 7 1/2 hours with chain saws. The pictures below were taken almost 2 years ago (and show the land in MUCH better condition than it is currently). Now, the land is littered with small trees and the pasture badly needs cut. We hope to cut hay and return most of the land back to pasture.
Wanting to avoid wordiness, I will end my initial post here. This blog will be continually updated to reflect our progress....as it is made. Enjoy the journey!
Myself, having grown up on 20+ acres (well, at least for a few years of my life....the formative ones!), and my husband who also (at one point in his life) owned 40+ acres; we understand the joy that comes from the privacy and satisfying work having land can offer....joy that no subdivision can offer.
We closed on our 37.47 acres on May 31st, 2012. It was becoming grown up with shade trees, especially on the dams that separate the two ponds on the property. Since Thursday, we have invested a good 7 1/2 hours with chain saws. The pictures below were taken almost 2 years ago (and show the land in MUCH better condition than it is currently). Now, the land is littered with small trees and the pasture badly needs cut. We hope to cut hay and return most of the land back to pasture.
Wanting to avoid wordiness, I will end my initial post here. This blog will be continually updated to reflect our progress....as it is made. Enjoy the journey!
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