Saturday I was sitting around the house, it was miserable outside, temps in the 20's with a 25 mph north wind, not the type of day I want to sit in a stand.  Finally I couldn't take it anymore, and around 1030 I told my wife I was going for a walk in the woods, my intentions being to do a little still hunting and scouting at the same time.  To my suprise Hunter chimed in and said he wanted to go.  (He loves turkey hunting because of the action, but doesn't like deer hunting because of the inaction).  He said he wanted to hunt squirrels with his bow, I jumped on the chance to get him in the woods.  We went to a nearby farm that he and I have been on before, once there he tells me he wants to go to the beaver pond, which is about 3/4 of a mile into the property, so off we go.  We get there and find that the beavers have been busy, as seen here........



There were numerous trees  in the area like this that the beavers had attacked, just a year ago I walked acroos the pond, (which was waste high grass with a small stream then), behind Hunter to get to a hidden apple orchard on the far ridge, now access is effectively blocked by the beavers.

After looking around the area, we started back to the truck through the woods with the wind in our face, finding decent deer sign but seeing no animals at all.  We were able to shoot a few arrows though to keep things interesting, then we came across this tree........



I have no idea what caused this, anyone here know?  

We continued our walk to the truck, and ended it with some flight shooting in the field where we park the truck.  All in all it was a great day, made better by the hot chocolate we stopped for on the way home.


David

Sounds like a great day after all!    
You made the best of it instead of moping around complaining about the weather.  My bet is that both of you will remember the day fondly for a long time to come.

Very cool David. Hunter is looking good. You need to bring him up one of these times.

David, very cool my friend! Shawn

Sounds like a great day in  the woods. I am looking forward to such walks in a few more years. Thanks for Sharing.
As for that one pic.....could that be some type of mushroom leftovers?

A nice day spent together in the woods, you can't beat that.

What a great way to spend the day. Thanks for sharing.

A day spent afield with your son is a beautiful thing. And you know how to share it with all of us. Thank You David!

... mike ...     ...

Very cool David!  I can't wait to see you two at the bunny hunt!

Sounds like a great day in the woods! It looks like a tree fungus or disease.

Nice Dave...you bringing him to the Bunny Hunt?
We need more Drivers!!  Besides...your son is the same height as Ciccone....this will give Mikey someone to relate too!!

Nah Joe, I think he is taller than Mike already....and yes, he is planning on coming to the Bunny Hunt.....

I hate to bring this up but my son Joe grew some over the summer, he might be taller than Mike now. Thats going to be hard on the little fellow  

Very Cool My Friend!!!!!

Glad to hear that Hunter is coming to the Bunny Hunt this year,Kevin is looking forward to seeing him again!!!!!

Now that's a great day in the woods!  

This year's Bunny Hunt is looking better by the day, isn't it?  :D

Sounds like you had a good day in the woods!    

David,

I don't know what the black stuff is.  It would help if you told us what it tasted like (don't say chicken).

Looking forward to meeting your boy.

So the bunny hunt fever begins....and the shots at Mikey.  

David,

Looks like a great time was had by all. The tree looks like it is infected with a fungal disease called black knot.

Sean

Sean,

I tdoes look like a fungus of some king, it looks like it grew from the inside and then kind of blossomed out like flower petals......

Keith, I tried to get Hunter to taste it but he was having nothing of it...    

David