On Opperman's Pond : 15: The Day was as Cold and Gray as Yesterday's Wh...

On Opperman's Pond : 15: The Day was as Cold and Gray as Yesterday's Wh...: The other day Scout came back from the OP woods with a souvenir. I originally posted this on Face Book because I thought it was cool in a gr...

15: The Day was as Cold and Gray as Yesterday's Whopper

The other day Scout came back from the OP woods with a souvenir. I originally posted this on Face Book because I thought it was cool in a gross way and Scout gave it to me without any territorial behavior in exchange for a handful of kibble. She's a good pup. I have roughly 180 "friends" on Face Book (hey...no brag) and usually get 18-30 likes (again...no brag just fact). Note: this includes family and terrestrial friends. This post got 5; 7 if I include my wife and one of my children .
Karen (Opperman's  Pond Keeper's Keeper) informed me it was possibly, "too graphic."  "Bu-ut," I said, "I also included a cute picture of Scout! That's usually good for 10-15 alone!"
Karen, "Get a job."    

A deer leg. And my foot

Scout knows there are more bones out there 

I don't have a job so my big concerns were; 1) coyotes, 2) the rest of the deer, 3) will Scout bring any more home. I saw the general area where Scout found the 1st tasty piece which was halfway down to the OP in a cluster of fallen trees - ideal coyote cache. The first Google was the NY Wildlife site to see if there are any particular steps for the disposal of carcasses or do the Fish & Game people want to examine deer eaten by coyotes. For those of you who may encounter this situation (you never know...I didn't) the answer is: 1) don't call us unless it is rabid (but it's dead); 2)  shovel it into a big bag, 3) put that big bag in another big bag, 4) dig a hole 2 feet deep, 5) throw it in, 6) cover it up, 7) don't forget to wash your hands (what about my memory!).    
I took Scout to puppy play time because I didn't want to test the kibble vs. wild meat again. She's a good pup, not a stupid pup.

Remember, there is a possible pack of coyotes lingering about looking for the rest of their lunch or something fresher. I was really a little worried. I remember what it was like going for that last slice - not proud but I have to live with that dark side. The equipment was chosen to be functional and survivalist:

 

Cache area in background 

1. A big stick to beat back the coyotes 
2. Gloves...and I would still wash my hands
3. Tape measure...these things could be big and I wanted to measure 2 feet
4. Big bags
5. Shovel
6. Pocket knife in case I had to cut my arm off to survive      

With heart pounding (it is really easy to build this up) and equipment in hand, I headed down the hill and started poking around the dragon's lair. Listening...Looking over my shoulder...Damn squirrel! Nothing! A little disappointed...only a little. Now back to Kathie Lee and Hota and I used the word "cache."    

On Opperman's Pond : 14: Happy New Year from OP!

On Opperman's Pond : 14: Happy New Year from OP!:     Must be magic! Yesterday I sank, today I walk on water!  Spooky fog looking through the woods  2017 Goals for OP: Keep it c...

14: Happy New Year from OP!

   

Must be magic! Yesterday I sank,
today I walk on water! 

Spooky fog looking through the woods 

2017 Goals for OP:

Keep it clean(er)
Build path 2
Use the kayak

 

1st hockey of Winter 2017!
More pucks to be found in Spring 2017!  

This heron is always there. It is now my heron

On Opperman's Pond : 13: Beat the Polar Vortex

On Opperman's Pond : 13: Beat the Polar Vortex: I've paid a few visits to OP since the last post and usually these have been with Scout. She's a great fan of the pond but it is not...

13: Beat the Polar Vortex

I've paid a few visits to OP since the last post and usually these have been with Scout. She's a great fan of the pond but it is not easy to clean-up a pond and a pup. So that day the focus was on Scout. This morning Al Roker said a Polar Vortex is on its way and I trust Al...so today was the day to get at it!

Me and Al...comparing vortexes

Ice is forming...Bintanic!

 Upon arrival at OP I was met with the recycle bin thrown into the pond. This is the 2nd time and is as mystifying as the first time. It takes a lot of work to throw a big bin several feet into the pond and I'm sure the pleasure is fleeting - lift, throw, splash ... Yippeee! Yawn. Let's go to Starbucks but first let's sip out of my water bottle...

...oh sorry...I recycled it

Sure...cat people

Safety first

 Picked up some trash in the usual walk about the pond. Ice was forming around the edge. Pond Keeper doesn't let a little thin ice stop him - safety precautions were all around and the water was ankle deep. The recycling bin rescue was accomplished with very little fuss - which is surprising because there was opportunity for fuss. As the vortex approaches the pond will get even more use as the ice skaters and hockey games begin. Opperman's Pond remains a little local treasure.
   

Maybe next time!

Mission accomplished

On Opperman's Pond : Post 13 - Nov. 10, 2016

On Opperman's Pond : Post 13 - Nov. 10, 2016: Scout and I paid a visit to OP because it was a beautiful autumn day and it was after Halloween so we wanted to check if any mayhem ensued. ...