Blog Archive
Steve’s Blog
Old Lodge at Rainbow Springs
Upstream about 2 miles from River of Life Farm, enters Rainbow (aka, Double Springs). The old lodge is still visible with the old plank bridge to get to the lodge (private). As you can see from this picture the spring branch flows both north and south from the bridge. The north flow enters about 1/8 mile downstream from North Fork Spring (on the opposite bank), and the south flowing portion enters about 3/4 downstream on the west back of the North Fork of the White River. Picture taken with permission in July 2008. Click to enlarge.
Birding at ROLF; go where the birds are !!!
Click to enlarge
I have spent 25 years struggling to see warblers, vireos, gnatcatchers, tanagers, and all birds that tend to stay in the tree canopy. Finally, after my first visit to River of Life Farm’s Mountain Log Lookout, I realized that if you want to really see these birds you need to go where they are; into the tree canopy.
On my first stay in the Log Lookout, in mid May 2004, I saw more warblers, vireos, gnatcatchers and flycatchers, than I had seen in my whole life from the ground.
Every bird lover needs to try one of the tree-houses at ROLF for a few days; you will not be disappointed. In addition, their are plenty of back-roads and river trails to walk with your camera or binoculars.
When you decide to watch from your front deck; there are a few simple rules to follow for success;
1. If it is warm enough walk in your stocking feet.
2. Do not wear light colored clothing. Green, black, or brown seem to work well.
3. Wear a hat if you have long of grey or white colored hair; blowing hair really spooks the canopy birds.
4. Especially watch for feeding a tree seed heads early in the year; they exude a sap which attracts insects, which attracts the birds.
5. Move slowly and deliberately.
If you are staying in one of the tree-houses near the river, watch for waterbirds and raptors.
Have a great Bird Watching trip !!!
https://www.missouribirdwatching.com/
https://www.birding.com/wheretobird/missouri.asp
https://www.birdingguide.com/clubs/missouri.html
https://www.missouri-vacations.com/missouri-birding-birdwatching/
https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com
https://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/chekbird/r3/29.htm
https://www.stlouisaudubon.org/
https://epsc.wustl.edu/~rlk/wgnss/birding.html
https://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/birds/
https://www.missouribirds.com/
Taken from Log Mountain Lookout in 2004
Click to enlarge
Birding or Bird watching from a treehouse
This American redstart (a warbler) spent a lot of time around the Mountain Log Lookout early in May 2004 (that was a late spring). This was my first visit this cabin. The cabin is built with a level entry front and a steep drop in back (on a hillside). The back part of the cabin is at least 20′ or more in places up into the tree canopy.
This male redstart made at least 50 visits in 3 days to see me. Every time I came out of the door, he had to see what I was doing. On the 3rd days I saw his mate on several occasions too. I made a “psshing” sound and they came. I did not get a good picture of the female.
This was an easy shot (about 15′) with a 4MP SLR camera (actually got about 50 of him); and is still one of my best shots and would NOT be possible from the ground. This shows what a good vantage point and a fair camera can accomplish !!
Also posted is a Pine Warbler. This picture was taken last year from the Treetop Hideaway; where there are lots of pines, oaks, and hickories mixed (not a great picture).
See write up below about tree houses in the canopy.
H L Leonard 7′ – 2 ounce “Letort” Fly Rod
Click on image to enlarge
Made not long after the Leonard Rod Company factory re-opened from the 1964 devastating fire, the Letort is one of the nicest and rarest of the post fire Leonard rods. This one works best with a DT2 line in late summer at low levels using very small dry flies and 7X or 8X tippets. From my collection.
