Steve Sanford
Well-known member
All~
One of my thoroughly enjoyable Spring activities is leading local bird walks - often in support of not-for-profits. One smaller walk was with a couple - and we found a nesting Least Flycatcher - right near one of my favorite gunning spots.
Most impressive this year, though, was the prevalence of bird ID "apps" on smartphones among the attendees. I do not use one myself, but I have been amazed at how well they pick up and identify bird sounds. Happily, they they thus far only confirmed my Old School (unaided ears) IDs - but I think they are a wonderful learning tool. Most use the Merlin app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Another NDR activity was watching our farmers (friends and neighbors) harvest their small grains. They are using a circa 1942 McCormick combine - for which I sewed new canvas conveyor belts last year.
The mechanisms are fascinating to watch - in a Rube Goldberg sort of way.
The brothers work in perfect synchrony - and are "hitting their numbers" on the oats, wheat, rye and barley - all grown organically for human consumption.
Next Saturday I will be demonstrating carving at the American Museum of Flyfishing in Manchester, VT - about 45 minutes from here. I will be gathering up a bunch of finished birds and also showing in-progress work. I carved the Greenwings for my patents back in the '80s.
I've got lots of "customer gunners" around for repair and rehab.
I've re-painted the head and restored the keels on this nice corker (maker unknown). It is one of 7 or 8 - and all need the Wiley cork re-burned. The Mallard needs a new bill - but my job is to make the repair invisible with minimal new paint.
This nice Brant was carved by an old friend - Jim Marran. He passed away years ago - so I'll be finishing it for its new owner.
These Helmuth Rich (from Patchoguer, LI) Shelldrake have been mostly filled - then will be painted for my own rig (most likely).
Stay tuned,
SJS
One of my thoroughly enjoyable Spring activities is leading local bird walks - often in support of not-for-profits. One smaller walk was with a couple - and we found a nesting Least Flycatcher - right near one of my favorite gunning spots.
Most impressive this year, though, was the prevalence of bird ID "apps" on smartphones among the attendees. I do not use one myself, but I have been amazed at how well they pick up and identify bird sounds. Happily, they they thus far only confirmed my Old School (unaided ears) IDs - but I think they are a wonderful learning tool. Most use the Merlin app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Another NDR activity was watching our farmers (friends and neighbors) harvest their small grains. They are using a circa 1942 McCormick combine - for which I sewed new canvas conveyor belts last year.
The mechanisms are fascinating to watch - in a Rube Goldberg sort of way.
The brothers work in perfect synchrony - and are "hitting their numbers" on the oats, wheat, rye and barley - all grown organically for human consumption.
Next Saturday I will be demonstrating carving at the American Museum of Flyfishing in Manchester, VT - about 45 minutes from here. I will be gathering up a bunch of finished birds and also showing in-progress work. I carved the Greenwings for my patents back in the '80s.
I've got lots of "customer gunners" around for repair and rehab.
I've re-painted the head and restored the keels on this nice corker (maker unknown). It is one of 7 or 8 - and all need the Wiley cork re-burned. The Mallard needs a new bill - but my job is to make the repair invisible with minimal new paint.
This nice Brant was carved by an old friend - Jim Marran. He passed away years ago - so I'll be finishing it for its new owner.
These Helmuth Rich (from Patchoguer, LI) Shelldrake have been mostly filled - then will be painted for my own rig (most likely).
Stay tuned,
SJS