We hit the jackpot on interesting articles this issue...You're going to love it!
Letter from the Publisher
June/July Happenings
June
1st
Book Sale - Stone County Library 9:30am - 1pm lots of fiction, romance, mystery 4th
Contra Dance - 7pm - Court Stage 8th
2nd Saturday Song Writers Circle
Arkansas Craft School … 2pm ~
John Prine Tribute Concert
Ozark Folk Center 7pm
16th
Father’s Day
20th
First Day of Summer
July
4th, 5th & 6th
Mountain View 4th of July Celebration 6th
Book Sale - Stone County Library 9:30am - 1pm lots of fiction, romance, mystery 13th
2nd Saturday Song Writers Circle
Arkansas Craft School … 2pm 27th
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
Ozark Folk Center ~ 7pm
Stone County
Farmers Market
Stone Bank Pavilion ~ every week ~ Saturdays from 8am - noon and Tuesday from 3pm - 6pm
“Couldn’t find a better or more beautiful location for the market anywhere!”
I love Daylilies and find them very meditative…each bloom lasts only a day and picking the spent blossoms off and dropping them down for compost feels just right. Some would say throw them away, but I’ve always done this with no repercussions except more blossoms year after year…the forest floor teaches us to leave mulch down for healthy, happy gardening. Just my opinion and advise!!
Sage Holland has joined us this issue with an adorable story of Puff on page 21. And Aaron’s pictorial “Damsels and Dragons” really conjures up all sorts of images in the mind…maybe it’s because I’ve been listening to the soundtrack from ‘Game of Thrones’ this week.
Judy Bishop’s “Clippity Clop” and Marie & Bruce’s “Kidding Around” make you want to nuzzle up to something soft and hairy…. Oh, and don’t miss the little darlings on the back page.
We’re so glad to have Ed Alexander back with another amazing pictorial…I’m going to be ordering some hiking shoes… really want to see the ‘not to difficult’ to get to waterfalls.
Karen Avey has hit it with her perception of what is country & how it so relevantly ties in with volunteering.
Many thanks to all you contributors….. everyone appreciates the time & effort it takes each of you.
Aaron Gschwandegger, Ed Alexander, Judy Bishop, Karen Avey, Marie & Bruce, Sage Holland
Publisher & Editor Joy Harp
We’d love to hear from you…suggestions, advertising, recipes, ideas, writers who want to join this happy group in our adventure, whatever…we’d love to hear from you.
Ozark Waterfalls ~ wild beautiful music to the soul
by Ed Alexander
Be it stream, river, or lake, the Ozarks are blessed with an abundance of water. Flowing in, around, and over the hills that comprise the Ozarks, water plays an integral part of the natural beauty that surrounds us. As water dances across the land on its journey to the sea, it achieves its most dramatic moments when suspended in space. Waterfalls of all types speak to us in many ways. So, let me guide you to just a few of the waterfalls that surround us. First, let’s find a few easy ones. And even though they’re easy to see, their beauty is not diminished.
Falling Water Falls, in the Richland Creek area, can be seen from your car.
Blanchard Springs is a short walk on a paved pathway.
Mirror Lake Falls can be found down a short stairway.
Twin Falls is found at the end of a short, level trail. Although it’s named Twin Falls, it displays three plumes during rainy periods.
Blanchard Springs
Falling Water Falls
Mirror Lake Falls
Twin Falls
Almost as accessible are the waterfalls that require a moderate hike; nothing long or strenuous, and worth the extra effort.
In the Leatherwood Wilderness Area, Dewey Canyon Falls is less than a mile from the highway, and drops 75 feet to the canyon floor.
Right next door is Bumpers Falls adding its water to the same canyon.
Eden Falls is found in Lost Valley. With its graceful curves, it greets us after a two mile hike on flat terrain.
Stack Rock Homestead Falls is nestled next to an old home site, two gentle miles along the Ozark Highlands Trails.
In addition to shows, Ed’s work can be seen in Mountain View, AR at the: Arkansas Craft Guild & Gallery & the Arkansas Craft School, where he is also an instructor of photography.
Bumpers Falls
Dewey Canyon Falls
Eden Falls
Stack Rock Homestead Falls
Next come the Epic waterfalls. All are at the end of difficult hikes, in rugged terrain. None of these are for the faint of heart and should be taken seriously. Still, for those experienced hikers, the reward is nothing short of magical.
Twin Falls is deep in the Richland Creek Wilderness Area. The trip is over three miles (one way), with two river crossings. The reward is the view of two separate streams that fall into one pool.
Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls is at the bottom of a canyon accessed by a 2.5 mile trail (one way) that is extremely steep and rocky.
At the bottom is the tallest waterfall between the Appalachians and the Rockies, dropping 209 feet. Almost mystical in its appearance is Eye of the Needle Falls. It requires a dangerous 5 mile (one way) bushwhack up Indian Creek in the Ponca Wilderness.
Those that do venture out will find a waterfall that has carved its way through the bluffs, leaving an opening in the shape of a needle’s eye.
Hemmed-In Hollow Falls
Twin Falls Richland
Indian Creek
Eye of the Needle Falls
Last, are those we’ll just call Hidden. They are the true gems of Ozark waterfalls. They don’t always have a name, and aren’t on any map. They don’t appear year round, but might pop up during heavy rains. They’re just off the road, or right by its side. You might catch a glimpse through the trees, or be drawn by their sound. Someone may tell you where to find one, or take you there. They’re truly Ozark gems.
Falls
Switchback Falls, Maidenhair Falls, High Twin Falls, and Roadside 1 are along West Twin Creeks, just off Highway 9.
Roadside 4
Roadside 3 Richland
Roadside 2, Roadside 3 and Roadside 4 are along Falling Water Road in the Richland Creek area.
These are, perhaps, the most rewarding of all. A hidden gem, a secret between you and the Ozark wilds.
Ed Alexander
Switchback
Maidenhair Falls
High Twin Falls
Waterfall Key
• Falling Water Falls ~ Falling Water Road, Richland Creek area, near Ben Hur
• Mirror Lake Falls ~ Blanchard Springs Recreation area
• Blanchard Springs
• Twin Falls ~ Camp Orr Boy Scout Camp, Buffalo River
• Stack Rock Falls ~ Ozark Highlands Trail near Woolum, Buffalo River
• Twin Falls ~ Richland Creek Wilderness, Long Devil’s Creek and Big Devil’s Creek
• Hemmed-In Hollow Falls ~ Ponca Wilderness, Buffalo River
• Eye of the Needle Falls ~ Indian Creek, Ponca Wilderness
• Switchback Falls, Maidenhair Falls, High Twin ~ West Twin Creek, Hwy 9, Izard County
• Roadside 2, 3, 4 ~ Falling Water Road, Richland Creek area, near Ben Hur
870-269-5455 870-214-8253
Email: thefarmersdaughter2020@gmail.com
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
— Leonardo da Vinci
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci
‘Jonesing’ was the word that mystified me in this edition…..never heard or saw it written in my life…. so I looked it up….completely convinced that no one else would know it, I called my 2 sons…. bingo, they both knew it & the full definition. WOW! Called 2 contemporaries, 1 man & 1 woman….neither had a clue what it was. Internet dictionary: “have a fixation on; be addicted to”…. you can look it up and read all the particulars….. I’m going to leave it that…I’m perfectly happy not knowing this word!!
Marie & Bruce
Kidding Around — the Joy of Goats—
For Mariah Gayler, owner of Galaxy Ridge Farms, the path to goat Nirvana has been an interesting one. She has been fortunate to discover her career passions early and in a fairly linear way.
A California native, Mariah, in her university years, became interested, and quite involved in food activism. That is helping to break down barriers and insure food stability for all different groups and ethnicities.
At some point Mariah became aware of the concept of a “sharedgoat”. Yes, at that time it was legal to have a goat in your backyard within city limits in urban southern California, so Mariah and friends joined together to share a goat.
Let’s face it - goats are adorable, they prance, they hop and spring and they supply meat, milk and cheese. And they always bring a smile to your face.
Next an opportunity arose to work on a goat dairy farm for show goats. Adding exponentially to her knowledge about goats and care for goats Mariah was hooked; she loved it!! And after a few months at the farm she purchased two babies for her backyard while continuing to work with the dairy show goats.
Then came a hop to Washington State where Mariah was able to provide goat care services for other people.
A desire to move closer to family in Mountain View, Arkansas began pulling and with it an idea began to germinate about homesteading (goats, of course).
So, with a full tank of gas and 8 goats in the back of the SUV came the drive from the west coast to The Ozarks!
Mariah specializes in what she has dubbed “Goldilocks Goats” —not too large and not too small but just right. Small dwarf Nubians that are crossed with Kinders, a larger dairy, meat breed. They are easier to handle.
Currently she has about 50 goats by herself (a number that astounds me as I am currently struggling with four kittens).
Some of the goats are for dairy and a steady request for goat milk has developed.
Goat milk is easier to digest than cow's milk and a select group prefer this due to taste, which is slightly sweet, and avoids allergies such as lactose intolerance. Goat milk is also low in saturated fat and cholesterol, rich in vitamins, calcium, probiotics and low sodium.
Some of the goats are for meat. These goats average out at 30 pounds when dressed out.
Goat meat is easier to digest than most others due to its naturally anti-inflammatory properties. It strengthens bone structure because of the high calcium. It is excellent for heart health due to double the amount of positive fatty acids which reduces cholesterol, and potential blood clots. The meat is generally free from toxins because goats are generally raised in cleaner farming conditions and not given growth hormones like meat cows.
Then there is goat cheese which she makes for personal use as it is not allowed to be sold by farmers in the State of Arkansas.
Finally, some of the goats are sold to loving homes. If you want one of Mariah's goats prepare to be vetted…..these babies will not be allowed to go to just anyone who is jonesing for a goat.
Stone County Farmers Market
Three years ago came the rebirth of the Stone County Farmers Market….. a daunting task getting all the local vendors, truck farmers, artisans, vegetable growers to come together in some semblance of a coalition —- it is almost like herding cats (or goats). The market would not have succeeded without all Mariah's hard work. Her love of food activism was merely lying dormant, a positive for the folks of Mountain View.
This is how I met Mariah and have been so impressed with her passion, get up and go, and goal of continuing to get good food to all.
The revival of the Farmers Market is now as stated, in its third year. The Stone Bank has graciously allowed their stunning pavilion behind the bank to be our new location. It is great and customers and vendors alike are very impressed with the amenities. Be sure to come out and see what is offered.
Stone County Farmers Market Stone Bank Pavilion
Saturdays from 8 - 12 and Tuesday afternoons from 3 - 6. You will be delighted with the offerings.
It is still a little early for the local veggies such as tomatoes, peppers, blueberries, etc. to be ready but be patient.
Remember: BUY LOCAL
My last question to Mariah was why the name Galaxy Ridge Farms….. It’s quite simple; her homestead is on one of the higher points in Stone County and some nights she can see The Milky Way… that is so wonderful, a dream come true.
Aaron Gschwandegger
Damsels and Dragons
Summertime in our area provides a wide variety of creatures for us to admire. Besides the birds and butterflies, there are also colorful dragonflies and damselflies. They have a wide range of sizes and colors and can be seen all over the state. According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, there are 102 different kinds of Dragonflies and Damselflies living in Arkansas. They can be seen flying in the air over bodies of water, fields, yards, and even parking lots. Generally the hotter and sunnier it is, the more active they will be. This is a small sampling of them that I have found in our area.
Below: This small but vibrant male Eastern Amberwing is one of my personal favorite dragonflies. The striking amber orange color makes it very eye-catching. It is said to mimic the appearance of wasps which helps keep predators away.
Left & below: The Eastern Pondhawk Dragonfly is the most widespread dragonfly in Arkansas.. The female is seen here in vibrant green. She may be common, but she is uncommonly beautiful. Her mate pictured next in blue, is also pretty attractive. The males are a chalky blue with a green head. The male pictured here has some of the green splotching on its side and is likely fairly young. Eventually he will have a chalky blue body with only green on his head. Adults range from just over 1.5 inches to 1.75 inches.
Right: The female is less vibrant but has fantastic patterning on her wings. She is pictured resting on a blade of grass. These little dragonflies never even reach 1 inch in size.
Right: Measuring in at nearly 3 inches to 3.7 inches,The Swamp Darner is on the other end of the spectrum. It is one of the largest dragonflies found in North America. I have only seen this giant one time, but it was spectacular. Fortunately, I was able to get a picture. While probably not the most common dragonfly in our part of Arkansas, keep your eyes open and you might be able to see one!
Right: The male Slaty Skimmer is so dark blue it appears almost navy. Their size can be as large as 2 inches as an adult. This one is perched on top of a twig on the water’s edge and almost looks like a cutout.
Left: The male Red Saddlebags dragonfly is very eye catching with its bright red coloring. These measure up to 2 inches long in size. The bright red coloring of the males is responsible for their name. When flying, the red of its wings in motion make it appear to be carrying red saddlebags.
Above & right: Widow Skimmers aren’t very colorful but their unique patterns make them very striking. They also have an interesting name that comes from the brown markings on their wings. It is said to resemble mourning garbs. Adults can reach up to 2 inches in length. Mature males have the chalky blue body and additional white patches on their wings. The females have brown tips on their wings and a yellowish stripe down their brown body.
Right: At first glance, you might mistake this male Blue Dasher for the male Eastern Pondhawk. However, after looking closely, you can see that the dasher has a white face and contrasting striping on its sides. Blue Dashers get up to 1.5 inches and are usually a bit smaller than the Pondhawk.
Left: This beauty is called a Halloween Pennant Dragonfly. Its orangish-yellow and dark stripes inspired the name. These dragonflies are about 1.5 inches in length. They have a great pattern to go along with the beautiful coloring.
There are some differences between dragonflies and damselflies that can help you distinguish between them. Damselfly bodies are more slender and there is a visible separation between their eyes. By contrast, a dragonfly’s head has no separation between its eyes and their body is wider. Also, while at rest, the dragonfly wings stick out to the sides of their bodies. A damselfly’s wings will fold up and back and almost appear as one flat wing.
Below: Pictured here are the male and female American Rubyspot Damselflies
The male is colored red and has the ruby red spots on its wings. This female is more green and earth tone, but in my opinion, just as beautiful. While slender and dainty, they can reach anywhere from 1.5 inches to 1.8 inches.
Below: The Ebony Jewelwing is one of my favorite damselflies. The males have an irridescent quality to their coloring and look blueish-green to turquoise in the light. This coloring contrasts beautifully with their black wings. In the first picture you can see him rested with his wings closed. The second picture of the male shows him with his wings still in motion. The final image is of the female Ebony Jewelwing. Like all Damselflies, these have a more slender body. However they are up to 3 inches in length.
Adult dragonflies and damselflies are carnivorous at all stages of life. You can often see them near water because this is where all species lay their eggs. While still in the water dwelling nymph stage of their lifecycle, they prey on things such as mosquito larvae. Larger nymphs can also prey on things as large as tadpoles and even small fish. As adults, they prey mostly on other insects.
Dragonflies are considered one of the most successful predators in nature. A 2012 Harvard study found their success rate in catching their prey to be up to 95%.
According to the Smithsonian, the fastest dragonflies have clocked at speeds up to 35 miles per hour. Thankfully humans are too big to be on the menu!
Karen Avey
Country is Walkin’ in the Moonlight After an Honest Days Work
Country is sittin' on the back porch
Listen to the whippoorwills late in the day
Country is mindin' your business
Helpin' a stranger if he comes your way
Country is livin' in the city
Knowin' your people knowin' your kind
Country is what you make it
Country is all in your mind
Country is workin' for a living
Thinkin' your own thoughts lovin' your town
Country is teachin' your children
Find out what's right and stand your ground
Country is a havin' the good times
Listen to the music singing your part
Country is walkin' in the moonlight
Country is all in your heart
Tom T. Hall, legendary hall of fame songwriter, wrote “Country Is.”
The song evokes a pleasing reminder “Country is all in your heart.” The time spent in service to community may well define family life, respect for neighbors, as “Country is all in your mind.”
The song, finds me on my front porch, inviting others to listen to the whippoorwills, as we mind our business, helping others in a community way.
After moving to enjoy a rural life, it may become apparent that limited funding and volunteers present complex challenges. What follows are new opportunities to “give back” to the country that secures our freedoms. If you look for opportunities to serve community at large, you are often welcomed with open arms. Soon after agreeing to serve, you may find yourself wearing many hats.
Here are a few questions to consider before volunteering:
• What are current volunteer opportunities, and who do I contact?
• What interests drive my decision to volunteer?
• How do I present ideas that have long range plans?
• How to handle “push back” to a new service project?
• How to unify individual community groups in an all-inclusive project?
If only we could wave a magic wand and have answers to these questions! It is a learning experience derived out of love for community, beauty, and peaceful coexistence, (emphasis placed on peaceful coexistence) which is sometimes in short supply in the world. Majority rule may not always be the best course of action, but hard work and perseverance by an individual may rule the day. Community service has at its core “kindness and hard work” at every phase of a project. If you have volunteer aspirations, stay the course, measure your success, and never be defined by a small number of critics!
If beautification and gardening happen to be of interest, please take note of Mountain View’s experience during the school year 2023-2024. The Mountain View High School’s freshmen class of over one hundred students and teachers came out in November 2023 to plant fall bulbs and prepare garden sites for Spring 2024. The buses arrived, and students and teachers worked for several hours. It was a beautiful day; the students were amazing in working the garden areas.
In March 2024, a project plan was initiated and “buses rolled again.” Students worked at various sites including city parks and the Stone County Courthouse. The students met a volunteer coordinator at each site who helped set plans in action. Working for a couple of hours, students and teachers cleaned our city parks mulching and preparing spring gardening sites. It was so thrilling to see how much was accomplished, and we look forward to the group’s participation during the 2024-2025 school year!
Volunteerism is very much alive and well in rural Ozark life. Many individuals, businesses, city, state and local organizations contribute funding and resources for community service projects. We are blessed to be living in a place where innovation, planning, and hard work may be measured in smiles by all ages!
Casual Country
Judy Bishop
Clippity Clop at OK Trading Post
The daughter of two school teachers, Denisa Malott grew up in Columbus, Indiana. Neither parent was interested in horses, but she often went down the road to spend time with a neighbor’s horse. She was smitten. She got a job babysitting making fifty cents an hour and saved her money.
“I bought my first little pony from a neighbor,” Denisa said. “Her name was Wendy.”
“All I knew about horses then was what I read in books or saw on TV,” Denisa said. “After I had Wendy for a while, my folks bought 30 acres for her.” They didn’t know it, but she started adding to the herd. Hearing about an unwanted horse in danger of being sent to an auction or a kill pen, Denisa would give it a home in her family’s pasture. “Imagine my mom’s surprise when I was gone and she went to the pasture to feed Wendy, and this herd came running up to the fence!”
At 14, Denisa had what was called a “hardship” license to drive. About this time, someone asked if she gave pony rides, so she started loading her pony into the back of her Mustang and taking it to birthday parties. Later, a friend gave her a ‘pony wheel”, which would take six horses. “I bought an El Camino and a trailer and was in business,” she said. “I would also clean stables,” she said. That led to her learning about English riding and jumping, and she began to teach riding.
Later, she was hired to handle trail riding at the state parks of Indiana, including a six-year stint in beautiful Brown County. “At Brown County, I did twice as much as anyone had done before,” she said. “After a year, I added two other state parks. At one time, I had three state parks, three private trail rides, and six sets of pony wheels. Sometimes, I just slept on the front seat of my truck.”
Denisa and her husband brought five children with them including their new baby daughter, Autumn. They had moved one load of their belongings from Indiana and canceled their homeowners insurance. While they were gone, their home in Indiana and everything still in it was burned. “We lost everything and had to start over again,” she said.
They moved into the old abandoned Pogue house, which was overgrown with vines and bushes. “We hauled out 67 loads of stuff,” she said. “The house was built in the 1800’s. I took up seven layers of linoleum and carpet from the floors. When I got to the bottom, there were holes in the floor. I laid the wood floors you see myself.”
They started the business right away, with 12 horses. “We used the old fireplace to heat the place. We had bedrolls. We’d get them out at night and sleep in the store. In the morning, we’d fold up the bedrolls and open up for business.” They slept in the store for four years.
There was no indoor plumbing for years. They had an outhouse, which is still in use for the public. Denisa’s daughter, Autumn, remembers that they would go down to Sylamore Creek to bathe in the summertime. The rest of the time, they used water hauled in a big tank from the White River. “We got running water when we got our spring,” she said.
After four years, Denisa bought a camper for herself, her older daughter, Amanda, and Autumn. They boys had a bunkhouse, which is now the kitchen. “We girls lived in the camper for eight years,” Autumn remembers. Then after 12 years here, the house was built around the old store.
To supplement the family’s income, Denisa started loading a trailer and selling merchandise at expos all over the country. Autumn would often go along. “Mom would try to turn the trips into an educational experience,” she said. “I remember stopping by to see the Grand Canyon after we’d done an expo at Vegas...and after New Jersey, going to see the Statue of Liberty.”
Denisa also had a surrey business in Mountain View. That stopped after she was rear-ended during a ride. She was alone in the surrey, but she was seriously injured, as was her horse, who later had to be euthanized.
Four
Generations
“We built a big barn for the horses before we built ourselves a house,” Autumn said. “The horses always came first. We couldn’t eat until they had been fed and watered because they were our livelihood,” She added, “That barn is the most peaceful place in the world to me.”
For years, the kitchen was a lean-to on the side of the store. Denisa recalls that when you opened the lower cabinet door, you could see through the cracks in the outside wall. “One day I reached down to get a big pan and a rattlesnake was curled up inside it. I threw it as hard as I could,” she said, chuckling.
Pictured right: are of Denisa, her older daughter Amanda, Amanda's daughter, and her daughter's son…..( 4 generations)
Today the Trading Post is rustic and real, with an inviting porch and busy chickens in the shady yard. Sleek horses stand saddled and ready for the trails. The store,
Denisa intentionally keeps her fees low. “I remember what it was like to want to ride a horse when I was young,” she said. “I want families to be able to come here and have a good experience without it being a financial burden. I’m not in this for the money.”
Denisa continued, “I love people. I want them to know what it’s like to have a horse nuzzling them, to have one breathing on their cheek, and to hear them chomping hay in the barn.” Daughter Autumn added, “What we do here is more than a job. It’s a lifestyle.”
Now the grandmother of 21, Denisa already has nine great grandchildren. Her daughter, Autumn, who “cut her teeth on a saddle horn” and is now her mother’s “right hand” has a daughter who says that she wants to run the place some day. Hopefully, she will.
OK TRADING POST
Scenic Mountain Trail Rides & More 11595 Hwy 14 ~ Mountain View, AR 72560 (870) 585-2217
who have cerebral palsy, and severe Autism. “We’ve had
Their newest offering is an overnight horseback ride on the south side of Sylamore Creek !
Left: Pictured here is Autumn, Denisa’s daughter & her “right hand”.
Puff’s Adventure By Sage Holland
This story began in the aftermath of a severe storm in the heart of summer. It had poured cats and dogs all night and into the morning. High winds had shaken every tree. Branches and limbs where all over the ground. Once the downpour ceased we took a walk down the driveway towards the county road. My partner and I always go to see how high the creek crossing had reached after a deluge. As we walked we had to watch the ground as to avoid deep puddles. Our attention was sparked when we saw something odd on the ground. A huge pink mouth opening as wide as possible in a frantic frenzy of movement just ahead of our feet. It was something with a birds mouth but the rest of it was completely unrecognizable as anything in particular. I looked closer and picked up the soggy frail mass with strange looking fringe and big blue feet. The desperate sound coming from the mouth screamed “feed me NOW!!”
Tom said, “Now Sage, this is natures way. This bird fell out of the nest. Let nature take its course.” I thought about it for a fraction of a second. Toms advice in this case didn’t resonate in the least with my inner bird mom. I immediately picked up the pitiful creature and ran up to the house with it. First I wrapped it with a towel and put a hot water bottle under it for warmth. The poor critter was freezing and starving but not afraid. That calmed it down so it could rest a little while I studied up on what could be considered bird food in an emergency. The bird was nearly just a hatchling, so soaked and mashed cat food was the most appropriate and readily available in our house. Soaking the cat food in a jar lid became a daily task for the next 10 ½ weeks, eventually we introduced grubs and mealy worms into the cat food, a gross conglomerate of wiggling goo. At this time we where also getting our next years fire wood and inside the hickory was fresh grubs. Our personal schedule was not very full in terms of leaving the homestead. This allowed us to feed the fella 5 or more times a day.
Early on we named the odd looking being “Puff” having no idea what kind of bird it could be. We live in the deep woods near water on a creek so there are most likely 100's of species of birds that it could be. We suspected it might be a Cuckoo, because of the beak. We had recently become aware of Yellow or Black billed Cuckoo's because of the mysterious noises that we had heard that had made us curious. These calls sound like a dove that was on a drunken bender. We even saw a mature one outside our living room window as he hunted for caterpillars in the trees. We decided Puff was a Yellow Billed Cuckoo.
Puffs first few nights where spent in a deep box with leaves on a twig for some hint of the woods outside. The box was convenient because Puff was too small to get out allowing me to keep him safe. But just a few days later Puff was able to climb out. We gave him a large, deep round tub with places to poop on. After about 4 days he jumped and hopped to the edge of the porch before we noticed. Since this all was happening on the high porch otherwise known as the flying porch, he got his first taste of heights as he found himself on the ground 16 feet down. Fortunately we found Puff perched with newfound strength on the edge of an old wheel barrel. Many more days in this constrained freedom were necessary along with regular feeding..
After about 10 days we started giving Puff the entire porch, our only screened in porch. The main part Puff was interested in was the window where Tom mounted branches in a tenuous Arky way. Puff was so frustrated by being inside we started to take Puff out on our chores with us. Puff would stay in a bush or tree nearby while wood was being chopped or weeds being weeded. Puff would stretch his wings and show us how far the feathers had developed.
Sometimes Puff would jump up to a branch out of reach of us and stay there until hunger set in. But it isn't so easy for an immature Cuckoo to come down than it is to go up. Puff would be starving with mouth open wide and flapping wings but out of reach. Tall ladders to climb up to Puff became necessary. Sometimes Puff would jump from the limb to one of our fingers as a perch while we climbed down the ladder to the ground.
Since Puff wasn’t old enough to feed on his own, yet wanted to try out his wings, Puff would end up out in the woods but not independent yet. These where the most challenging stages of the process. The summer went faster than usual because our lives, already busy as pioneer off grid on solar, glass artists, we also committed to raising a wild bird.
By September Puff was much bigger and sleekly equipped with full fledged plumes, not pin feathers. His feet were bluish and much bigger, with feathers even on the thigh.
Everyday Puff flew a little more and got so high in our very highest trees, with the wind now whipping. Still though about 5 times a day Puff would find the way to cry in the “Im Hungry” way causing us to wrench our necks looking straight up and screaming ourselves “come down here. We can’t reach you up there!” No Ladder would reach. It sometimes took 40 minutes to coax him down to a branch near enough to our reach, and sometimes Puff would glide over our heads and land near quickly and without the need for cheerleading. We sincerely hoped though that our source for the feeding would be less everyday and very soon Puff would take on the journey of his life to South America to overwinter.
By mid October we saw a mature Cuckoo next to Puff. This bird seemed to be communicating with puff, even showed his talents at catching wild caterpillars. I have a feeling that new buddy of Puffs was his mom or dad and together they must have gone on their migration flight. What a good ending the summer of 2023 had for our homestead. It had been an honor and a bit of a miracle. We might see Puff again this year. I envision Puff flying to our garden and with the sounds of a totally mature Cuckoo Puff will say to us…
“you haven’t learned to fly yet?”
cocyzus erythropthalmu The time from egg laying to fledging is 17 days and is among the shortest for any bird. At 6 days old, nestlings look like little porcupines with long pointed feather sheaths (a thin tube of keratin that surrounds and protects a developing feather). When they are ready to leave the nest their feathers pop out of the sheaths like popcorn, turning the spiky nestling into a fully feathered bird.
Sage moved to Stone County in 1993 after living on the west coast. She was lured here by her husband, Tom Holland, who was already a resident at the time at Rocky Bayou east of Mountain View. They met at a conference in Washington DC among other places around the country. They are both known as pioneers of the American contemporary glass bead making movement. Together Sage and Tom have travelled the nation and internationally teaching their art form over the last 36 years. They live and work off grid on solar energy in the deep woods. Sage is a nature lover and avid gardener. They are both artists on the Off The Beaten Path Studio Tour which takes place this year on September 13, 14 and 15.
These adorable twins were born last week and reside wherever mama puts them at the edge of the grass…..it’s like John Muir says…..”In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
