Random Photos From An Odd Winter

[Mistwalker]

Just some random odd photos from recent outings.

The view from the gate at the experimental poplar, where one of the outings started off.

Some of the gear for the day, TOPS DART on the shoulder strap and a modded ESEE-4 on my belt. Really digging the new sheath from Godspeed Tactical, love the way it wears on a belt. Also loving the new handle scales from The-Knife-Connection.

Some shots from around a marsh and pond I wondered into. I'll definitely be back later looking for muscadines.

Various fungi, first time I recall seeing fungi growing on a poison ivy vine.

More coyote sign

Another experimental tree area, fir trees I think. Highly flammable sap.

Plenty of our vicious briers, always fun running into these in the dark.

A little trickling stream with some insect life.

Then another little pond with more exposed frog eggs, looks like lots of frogs won't make it this year.

.

 

[pitdog]

Always enjoy your pics Mist buddy !

I feel like we have dodged Winter this year, looks pretty similar where you are eh !

How are you liking that TOPS Dart ? Talking of TOPS Knives have you tried the Exfiltrator 5 yet, I'm really liking the look of that one !

 

[TheGame]

Great pics Mist. Definitely has been a crazy winter. I haven't seen or heard frogs yet, but there have been quite a few days where I thought I would have. I'm going to head to the woods tomorrow and see if I can find any eggs near the pond in the woods behind my house. :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

Always enjoy your pics Mist buddy !

I feel like we have dodged Winter this year, looks pretty similar where you are eh !

How are you liking that TOPS Dart ? Talking of TOPS Knives have you tried the Exfiltrator 5 yet, I'm really liking the look of that one !

Thanks bro, glad you liked them. I know what you mean, but damn if this is the winter I am starting to dread seeing what's in store for us this summer!

The DART is my favorite of my TOPS knives, it functions like a large knife but without such a large footprint and still handles very well too.

Exfiltrator-5? This one? http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical-knives/exfiltrator-5—two-knives-in-one/

Yeah, I played with one for several months Then gifted it to a very close, long time friend on his Birthday.

Great pics Mist. Definitely has been a crazy winter. I haven't seen or heard frogs yet, but there have been quite a few days where I thought I would have. I'm going to head to the woods tomorrow and see if I can find any eggs near the pond in the woods behind my house. :thumbup:

Crazy winter here for sure. I've found a lot of frog eggs on the last outing, luckily a lot of them have been still under the water.

 

[maleaco]

Thanks bro, glad you liked them. I know what you mean, but damn if this is the winter I am starting to dread seeing what's in store for us this summer!

The DART is my favorite of my TOPS knives, it functions like a large knife but without such a large footprint and still handles very well too.

Exfiltrator-5? This one? http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical-knives/exfiltrator-5—two-knives-in-one/

Yeah, I played with one for several months

Then gifted it to a very close, long time friend on his Birthday.


Crazy winter here for sure. I've found a lot of frog eggs on the last outing, luckily a lot of them have been still under the water.

I havn't even got to go snowboarding with my son yet much, it's crazy. If people dont notice the crazy weather, then they'res something wrong

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Another Great Post Mist

Dig those ESEE Scales

Look like G-10

 

[geargeek]

Nice pics, thank you, always enjoy your posts. Yes we didn't really have winter at all here this year in the northeast; climate change is happening....

 

[Mistwalker]

Another Great Post Mist

Dig those ESEE Scales

Look like G-10

Thanks Bill. Yep, loving the scales, and yes they are G10.

Nice pics, thank you, always enjoy your posts. Yes we didn't really have winter at all here this year in the northeast; climate change is happening....

Thank you, glad you enjoy them. Definitely seems like some sort of a change, but as I understand it the climate on this planet has changed many times over all the years.

 

[Murphnuge]

Mistwalker, you never fail to deliver great pix. I'm jealous of the time out.

 

[Mistwalker]

Mistwalker, you never fail to deliver great pix. I'm jealous of the time out.

Thanks man, glad you enjoy them. Yes, one thing about the work I do, it gives me plenty of time in the field and I don't complain

 

[kgd]

Nice stuff buddy - almost makes me regret trading off my ESEE-4....Hey do those grips work with the ESEE-3??? Good to see that you are out and about. Keep an eye on those eggs...I want to see if they hatch out or not after being frozen. Some frog species can do so.....

 

[Arathol]

Those are domestic dog tracks mostly. I see what may be a couple older coyote tracks in there though. Coyote tracks are egg shaped, dog tracks are generally round. Too small for any sort of wolf.

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice stuff buddy - almost makes me regret trading off my ESEE-4....Hey do those grips work with the ESEE-3??? Good to see that you are out and about. Keep an eye on those eggs...I want to see if they hatch out or not after being frozen. Some frog species can do so.....

Yeah, I went through a period like that too after I gave my old one that I beat the crap out of to my brother. That's how I ended up with this one. Then it stayed in a kit for the most part because carrying it on a belt in the factory sheath is not all that great for me. Then looking over some threads on another forum I noticed a sheath a liked and then saw the scales and really liked them too. I got both and have been carrying the 4 a lot more lately. The scales I have won't, but these will http://www.the-knife-connection.com/esee-3-series-custom-sporting-field-handle-kits.html

I'm planning on watching the eggs just to see what happens with them, I am photographing them every other day or so.

Those are domestic dog tracks mostly. I see what may be a couple older coyote tracks in there though. Coyote tracks are egg shaped, dog tracks are generally round. Too small for any sort of wolf.

Yeah, I've noticed the different shapes in the tracks. I'm never surprised when I find them along with human prints. I have seen those tracks and another larger set (about 4.5" long) of similar tracks a lot in that particular area. I think maybe they are what was supposed to be domestic dogs but aren't necessarily domestic. I often find those tracks inter mingled with the coyote tracks but the only human tracks in the vicinity will be my own. If they are domesticated dogs I would love to see them because they definitely are not afraid of the coyotes and have survived wandering around among them for over a year now. I have found those wider tracks like that seven miles beyond the point where vehicle traffic is blocked by a gate and looking everywhere for them I find no human prints anywhere in the area only those and the coyote tracks. Also the only scat I ever find near those tracks is from omnivores and has fur in it.

 

[Arathol]

Its possible that there is a pack of feral dogs out there. These are far more dangerous than coyotes or wolves as they have no fear of humans.
Where were these picture taken? Its possible that the large tracks are wolf depending on where you are. 4.5 inches is real large for a typical domestic dog. You might be surprised at where its possible to find a wolf.

 

[Mistwalker]

Its possible that there is a pack of feral dogs out there. These are far more dangerous than coyotes or wolves as they have no fear of humans.
Where were these picture taken? Its possible that the large tracks are wolf depending on where you are. 4.5 inches is real large for a typical domestic dog. You might be surprised at where its possible to find a wolf.

It has been a developing puzzle for me for the last couple of years. These photos were taken at Prentice Cooper WMA. There are only 27,000 acres of the WMA but lots more woods that join up with it. I know they released red wolves in a reintroduction in Cade's Cove some years back and that's only 80 miles away. But seems if they were here someone would have seen them and mentioned them by now. Then again I have spent hours out there and found lots of coyote tracks and scat, and have been close enough to hear them moving and yipping in the brush but have only seen one at a distance out there. I've seen them several times in the urban areas around houses and stores at night, but there is no driving allowed on the gravel roads out there at night. I am beginning to think I am going to have to set up a stand and bait them into an area for photography if I can.

 

[Arathol]

I'd try a trail camera before going out there and setting bait. A pack of wild dogs may decide that you are on the menu, unlike coyote or wolf.
The red wolf has for years been rumored to be in that area in growing numbers. Of course, these things are supposed to be a secret. Many states that have done predator reintroduction programs continue to deny that the animals are there despite clear evidence to the contrary, either to protect the animals or to keep the local residents from panicking.
Its possible that those are wolf tracks. If you have seen tracks regularly, put up a game camera and see what happens.

 

[Mistwalker]

I'd try a trail camera before going out there and setting bait. A pack of wild dogs may decide that you are on the menu, unlike coyote or wolf.
The red wolf has for years been rumored to be in that area in growing numbers. Of course, these things are supposed to be a secret. Many states that have done predator reintroduction programs continue to deny that the animals are there despite clear evidence to the contrary, either to protect the animals or to keep the local residents from panicking.
Its possible that those are wolf tracks. If you have seen tracks regularly, put up a game camera and see what happens.

I've been considering a trail cam too, but there is something to be said for actually being there and observing it personally so either way I'll end up wanting that at some point. If I do the stand I'll be up high enough to avoid harm (I have friend who has a deer stand I could recline and sleep in if needs be and I got stuck up there for a while), and I'd have means of self defense though would only use as a last resort...reason for being higher than they could reach. I have seen those large tracks for a few years now but assumed a large domestic dog at first until I started noticing little details that hint at maybe not, my curiosity is really up at this point.

 

[JV3]

nice pics, man! i did notice the bugs are starting to come out in my neck of the woods too. i guess that's it for winter (if you can call our lack of snow here winter). what does "experimental poplar" mean? they're trying new tree species in an enclosed area first to see if it'll thrive before spreading it all over the area?

 

[Mistwalker]

nice pics, man! i did notice the bugs are starting to come out in my neck of the woods too. i guess that's it for winter (if you can call our lack of snow here winter). what does "experimental poplar" mean? they're trying new tree species in an enclosed area first to see if it'll thrive before spreading it all over the area?

Yeah, I was watching mosquitoes lay their eggs in puddle today.

The sign near the gate labels that spot as a "Tree Improvement Area". They are doing studies in strains looking for strengths and weaknesses trying to promote the stronger strains for seed stock and remove the weaker ones. I like that area because other than the people who work there occasionally going to maintain the fire brakes vehicles aren't allowed there. Because of that few people ever go there so there is about 1000 acres or so between two dirt roads that hardly ever sees people.

 

[fujita yuji]

Thanks for sharing nice shots and nice findings!
Particularly I love those amphibians eggs (am I wrong?).

To be added sorry for long absense. I'm still alive