Fencelines is a weekly column I write for a couple local papers. Normally includes bird sightings and tidbits of information. This one is from last week and the next one will be completed in a few days.

"Out and about this past week one could notice the phlox in the abandoned farmsteads were in full bloom. Nannyberries, elderberries and honeysuckle were also colorful and fragrant this past week around the dooryards and fencelines across the countryside. The ever-present dandelions have entered their ugly stage whereby if the lawn isn’t mowed every other day, it looks like it should be.

Bird watching took me into several counties in my travels this past week. Canada goose goslings were seen in and around several ponds. Baby robins are starting to show up around the lawns. Wild turkeys stopped traffic outside Owatonna as they trotted across the road in front of those of us who waited for them to cross. At home, a couple indigo buntings added variety to the goldfinches at the thistle feeders. And finally, perhaps some of the work on habitat and limiting undesirable species has paid off. While whistling at the orioles to get them stirred up, I was answered by a small bird that came and landed on the wire above me. It had some blue on it so was wondering if it might be a female indigo bunting. Upon looking in the field guide and listening to the song on a couple websites, it was definitely a female bluebird. Long time, no see and welcome back.

Been awhile since we’ve seen a spring as ornery as this one when it comes to allowing us to get fieldwork done. Growing up on the farm in the ‘70’s, it seemed like we had a lot of those types of springs. We didn’t have near the tile drainage we have nowadays and ended up planting soybeans more often than not in early June. One year in particular I can recall my younger brother working around a wet spot as close as he could with the narrow front E-3 and Kovar quack digger. Dad had told us to stay away from the holes. Having to tell him you were stuck in one of them after you’d been warned wasn’t high on the list of fun things to do.

Sure enough, from where I was working with the 656, it appeared he’d stopped and it looked like the tractor was stuck. Upon driving over to take a closer look, he’d managed to get it in far enough so that the rear wheel on the outside of the wet spot was actually about a foot off the ground! Can’t remember exactly what we did to get it unhooked from the digger but do recall we had to be careful pulling the tractor out so as not to tip it over. Don’t think we ever told Dad about the incident although like most siblings, I might’ve saved it up for when the “proper opportunity” presented itself.

See you next week…real good then."

Good read.....here is a fenceline pic...the blue in the background is standing water in the field.

Aw, thanks hobbydog. That's really a great pic, with them sitting on the barbed wire and all! Barn swallows are some of my favorites, a true sign that spring has arrived and summer is on the way. While some might grumble about their messy little mud nests, I'll put up with that given all the bugs they eat while skimming along just above the ground. Watching them and the tree swallows raise their families raises a smile. When they line the electrical wires before saying good-bye in the fall, it always makes me a little sad. Part of growing up and living on a farm.

"The hit and miss showers from this past week made the scurs edgy as they dipped into their stockpile of mosquito repellent. Yup they’re out in force. Rainfall amounts were variable but most of the Bugtussle area received amounts in the .1” - .2” range. More warm temps though for the upcoming week but more chances of rain too Highs should remain seasonal through next week between 75 & 80. Lows around 60 in that timeframe. Chances of rain every day through Monday but should be clearing out for the early part of the week. If the mosquitoes keep biting the scurs may suggest clearing out to see where the fish are biting instead.

The Twinkies had a pretty good week, taking 2 of 3 from the Tribe and their old nemesis, the Yankees. The White Sox stubbed their toes and allowed the hometown boys to inch closer in the standings. For a team that’s been so hot, it’s interesting to note they’re only 3 ½ games ahead at this writing.

The crop made progress and most actually managed to dodge the showers and complete their soybean planting. Post-emerge spraying was commonplace on corn by weeks end and soybean aphids were reported in SE MN. The second wave of soybeans planted has begun to emerge with some problems here and there. Hay was harvested including the wonderful crop of dandelions that competed with the alfalfa after the early May frost. Hard to expect perfection from less than perfect conditions.

The garden here at the ranch neared completion with a few bedding plants remaining to be planted. No sense putting them out if the weather was just going to beat them to a pulp right away. Always a big relief to have it planted but now the real work comes: Worrying about how many times we’ll lose the zucchini crop while sitting at the elevator watching the markets. Sound familiar?

Was a noise fest of magnanimous proportions this past weekend as we weaned the lambs off most of the ewes and turned the ewes out on pasture. That’s where sheep belong: Outside rather than lounging around burning up hay and creating enough organic fertilizer for to supply the free world.

Bird watching was special this past week. Not only did I see a bluebird the week before, the pair chose a bluebird house behind the old granary Last I checked, there were 3 cream colored eggs in it. Heard my first dickcissel of the season in some Aurora Twp. CRP I was adjacent to. Identified a bird I’ve rarely been able to see but have heard it for years. After listening to the song and searching it out on the internet, found it was that of a warbling vireo. Upon reading about the bird’s habits, it fit. They like to hide in the leaves of shade trees making them difficult to see. The males are even known to sing while on the nest. Still a pair of teal on the pond yet. Keep waiting to see ducklings but have not as of yet. Saw their old nemesis, Mr. Raccoon, squashed on the road near the house the other day. Strange, he seems to be getting bigger...

Some have asked how do I think of things to write? It’s actually pretty easy. When doing menial tasks as is my wont, the brain is always engaged in other pursuits. Somehow, I still have all my fingers and toes. Better yet, I have a panel of experts at the Mall for Men, some of whom don’t have all their digits! They ponder the same life’s mysteries I do. Take the other day for instance: Were you aware that Marcia Cross (Bree on Desperate Housewives) did not play Mulva on Seinfeld? What’s more, we now know whom she did play. These are the kinds of important items we hash over on an almost daily basis, even though we’re supposed to be busy in the field. It is through a process like this that nuclear fusion will someday be harnessed as the definitive energy source.

And finally, a great big Fencelines “Thank You” to LaVonne for putting up with me lo these many years. Little did I know when I wrote the first column, there would be a request for another, then another, and then become a weekly feature. We’re now read in 2 southern MN newspapers and via e-mail by many readers. Even though my agent is a tough negotiator, bargaining for that last dollar, she apparently thought it was worth it. After all, you get what you pay for! A note to Jim: Nice to meet you. My agent knows where you work. He’ll be in touch soon. We’re talking doubling my 6-figure salary and an increase in vacation time. Bet LaVonne didn’t tell you about that part of my contract!

See you next week…real good then."

Once again Hobbydog, very nice picture!! I always look forward to seeing pictures and yours are amongst the best if not the best.

Sounds like a contest to me! In this corner we've got HOBBYDOG a fantastic photagrapher able to catch swallows in an uncommon state of loitering on a fence. In the other corner we have BUZZ The master of the digital avieary pict. The captcherer of Hummers & BUGs! At the sound of the bell Photograph!!!!!!!! Ding

I'm not sure I can keep up with Hobby. I only have a two MB Fuji Fine Pix thats four years old, I think he's got the camera National Geopraphic people use all over the world! Seriously, I could never get those duck pictures in motion remotely close to the quality he can and has. I can get real close to alot of species however and do Okay that way. If I was casting a vote it would be for Hobby! I think the last post is funny!

I'm envious of both you guys! Ok, The article is pretty good too. I REALY love all your picts.! Please feel free to keep posting tips. and picts. and articles. I will get a digital... Someday, but I'll never be a writer. I do want to see a picture of an Indigo Bunting (male) though. Or, some old Squaws, or Harliquins. Realy guys, Thank you for the fantastic words and pictures.

Your request has been served up! However this picture was taken through a window on a dark rainy day.

I agree with Hobby on his point that you can take good still shots with lower megapixel camera's but if you want the far away shot or motion shot you need to pony up the greenbacks. I'm certain if I didn't already have a decent digital camera I would go out and get the one of the best available.... It would seem kind of excessive to have two digi camera's.
Keep those pictures coming!

Very Nice! How often does he visit your feeders? Is there more than one around? I've only noticed two in about 3 years. And they are always on the ground under the feeder.

That bird was seen by me and my neighbor on and off for a period of 4 days! Then he was on his way up north I assume. When they come through we have to be quick with the camera, unfortunately it was during a very gloomy rainy period and taking a good picture was tough.

From this week's episode:

"Welcome to another week of Fencelines where we attempt to prove life does actually exist south of Otisco, albeit at times in primitive form.

More hit and miss showers were the hallmark of this past week. The scurs are getting really good at covering themselves. If you predict it’s going to rain often enough, eventually you’ll be right. Sunday was about as nice as nice gets though. Just enough breeze to keep the bugs away. The upcoming week should see a break in the pattern of dodging raindrops we’ve become used to. We should see highs in the 70’s and lows in the mid 50’s for Wednesday and Thursday as the rain moves out. Then get ready for a stretch of what promises to be great weather. Highs in the low 80’s and lows in the low 60’s, about normal for this time of year. The scurs may get to wear their new Speedos yet!

The Full Moon this month will be on June 23rd. It is referred to as the Full Strawberry Moon as the Algonquin tribes were commonly harvesting the wild variation of the delectable June fruit we know today. As a kid, there were tasty wild strawberries growing in the south fenceline and we’d sometimes go pick a few. Probably took along a cap pistol to protect ourselves from the Indians while we were at it.

The Mall for Men was into thinking up new TV shows for farmers this week. A reader mentioned from his place, the moon appears to rise over Matawan so “Moon Over Matawan” is a lock. Most popular on our list was “Freeborn Co. Sprayers” after Orange Co. Choppers. Can just hear Larry barking, “Those sprayers aren’t going to plumb themselves!”

Twinkies played .500 ball on their road trip, not good enough to keep pace with the Chisox, who went 5 - 1. Money can buy a lot of things but wouldn’t suggest the Pale Hose start polishing their World Series rings just yet. A lot of season to play.

Pollination on the apple trees apparently wasn’t hurt much by the frost here as the trees in the yard are loaded. There are so many apples they’ve already sloughed off some of the excess but after looking at the trees, one can understand why. The cherry tree hasn’t fared so well. It didn’t look good last fall and was surprised it even made an attempt to leaf out this spring. If it doesn’t make it, will replace it with a Honeycrisp apple tree. After eating a few of those, it’s a “must have.”

Out and about this past week, ran across some old friends. Noted in Freeborn Co. along a drainage ditch were several bank swallows. Hadn’t seen that many since fishing along the banks of Deer Creek west of Spring Valley many moons ago. The killdeer babies that caused the mothers to feign injury to lure me away from the nest a few weeks ago are now slightly smaller versions of their parents. The bluebirds continue to set on a clutch of 4 eggs out back. Significant because we haven’t had a bluebird nest here since ’96 when a bad storm took down a dozen trees and our barn. In downtown Bugtussle the chimney swifts fly above the buildings. They used to nest in the chimney at our old office and once in awhile one would crawl through the damper vent and fly by your nose. Great little bug eaters so just let ‘em outside to do their thing.

This was a good week to observe insects around the area. Dragonflies were on the wing near the pond where their lifecycle likely started. Monarchs were common too along roadsides as they were searching for milkweed plants to lay their eggs on. Around the yard the bumblebees were busily working over the blossoms on the spirea & sweetclover. These are some of natures premier pollinators. Visiting a greenhouse specializing in tomatoes, was interested to note once inside all the little boxes strategically placed on the ends of the benches. They contained the bumblebees that pollinated their primary source of income. 1st soybean aphids found locally on the 13th. Let the games begin! The deer flies are also out as evidenced by those of us with thinning pates being bitten. It’s wear a cap and get chewed for having “cap-head” or get chewed by the deer flies. What a choice!

See you next week...real good then."

6-21 edition...

"The scurs suspect the weather has shifted gears somewhat. Not at all unlike what they predicted earlier in the year as our cool spring may become a warmer, drier summer. We’ve seen a change to a more typical summer weather pattern as of late. The chances of rain diminish somewhat as we approach July. When rainfall events happen however, the convective thunderstorms that result from the juicy air tend to dump large amounts in short periods of time. Following the early week rain, prepare for a lengthy, steamy stretch of weather. Highs mid-80’s, lows mid 60’s through next Tuesday. Slight chances of rain Wednesday through Friday. Uncomfortable weather for scurs but watch the corn and soybean growth take off like a rocket.

One positive aspect about a slow down in rainfall: Lawn mowing has also slowed down. The grass has become tougher too necessitating a blade sharpening to keep the mower from chewing the grass off. Not seeing the 5 o’clock shadow on the lawn caused by those pesky dandelions though.

Time to trim some of the evergreen shrubs, in particular the yews, arborvitae and junipers. By now their new growth should nearing completion. Trimming them now allows one to shape them and keep their size manageable.

The Summer Solstice occurs on or around June 21st. The word “solstice” is derived from two Latin words; “sol” for sun and “sistit” for stands, as the sun appears its noontime elevation in the sky does not change. . It is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer. This is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. It also marks the beginning of days becoming shorter not long afterwards. Slowly but surely the birds sing a little later every morning signaling Congress that it’s time to change back to Standard Time.

The garden has gotten off to a mediocre start, thanks to the striped gophers that insisted on digging up the vine crop seeds and seedlings. Very few cucumber beetles thus far although some (spotted cucumber beetles) were found in a recent alfalfa field scouting. Warmer temperatures may cause them to become more active so wise to stay on your toes. Noticed the bean leaf beetles have been chewing holes in the string bean leaves. Fortunately the first generation that over wintered should be nearing the completion of their life cycle and about ready to call it quits. However, look for their progeny to show up in late July to early August. Anticipate seeing that white bearded Cockshutt owner in my office wondering (in so many words) what’s wrong with his string beans.

Bird watching continues to satisfy. There is still an indigo bunting feeding on the thistle seed sock. The house finches and goldfinches are regular customers as is the oriole. His feeder gets full of flies quickly so have to change the sugar water mixture every few days. There are 4 nests of tree swallow hatchlings and the bluebird eggs appear to be close to hatching, judging by the behavior of the parents. Am keeping close watch over their house. On the pond, still appears there may be 1 nest of teal that made it. No ducklings yet but the drake watched me warily from shore where I’d seen the pair recently. The vegetation is thicker so predators will have a more difficult time finding them. I found another nest, this time a pheasant, which had been destroyed. Despite all our good intentions for increasing habitat, am convinced predator management is key if we want to see more waterfowl, upland game birds and non-game birds as well.

The flora around the pond includes Spiderwort, a native prairie plant with a cluster of purple flowers on top of a thin stalk, not unlike alliums or lily-type plants. Spiderwort flowers are short lived, lasting just one morning but they produce 20 or more flowers per stem. The petals disintegrate quickly after flowering. They do add color to what has been up until now a green prairie landscape. The name is derived from its reputed use as a cure for spider bites. The Cherokee used Spiderwort as part of a tea made for digestive upsets. It was also part of several preparations for kidney trouble and female problems (or was it problem females?). Hmmm…

See you next week…real good then."

More on the bluebirds and teal next week...

Hmmm...fishface seems bored. From this week's episode:

"The scurs sure hit last week sultry temps right, didn’t they? Bugtussle area rainfall varied from 1.5” – 2” for the week. Looks like some of the same for the upcoming week. Early week rains should give way to pleasant temperatures however and diminished chances of rain. Look for highs in the mid-80’s and lows in the mid-60’s through the weekend. The Mother Nature may provide some of her own fireworks on the 4th. Look for a refreshing cool down Monday and Tuesday with highs in the mid 70’s and lows in the mid-50’s. The scurs may need to keep their legal fireworks in a waterproof container until the big celebration.

The crops continue to thunder along. GDU accumulation at Waseca went above normal last week at Waseca and shows no sign of letting up this week. Soybeans are starting to flower and corn should be waist high on the 4th of July. The Canada thistle are blooming in the pasture meaning it’s time to hook up to the mower again. Crabgrass has reared its ugly head in the lawn too. Combined with dandelions and white clover, the resulting wet guck clinging under the mower deck is as close as it gets to artificial cow manure.

At the Mall for Men, we’re still vying for spots on the US Olympic Hiding and Napping Squad. My own position seems assured after some in IL witnessed my prowess two days in a row with a lawn chair in the goat barn after a good meal. One of my little fat buddies over the weekend (in the absence of his family) was able to sneak off to an ideal hiding spot, complete with cool breeze, chilled drinks and lawn chair. He also took one for the team. A nap that is.

Missed writing about the Twinkies last week and they went on a slide. Some positive signs came out of the Brewer series though. They started scoring runs again. And, the Sox lost 2 out of 3 to the Cubbies. Not superstitious or anything but maybe if I keep writing about the Twins, maybe they’ll play better (he said, wearing his rally cap and sticking pins in a little White Sox doll)

Great news this past week on the bird watching front. The blue-winged- teal I thought had a nest on the pond did indeed. 8 fuzzy yellow ducklings were spotted paddling behind their mom around the pond. The bluebirds hatched as well. Last check found the female with insects stuffed in her beak while the male stood watch should a house sparrow happen by. Found a group of cliff swallows near a field I was in. But we don’t have any cliffs in the area you say (Sorry, Cliff Tufte doesn’t count). Seems these birds have adapted well to humans and will often build nests on the vertical concrete surfaces under bridges. The nests are fascinating to look at, resembling some kind of an overgrown mud beehive. Fishing as a lad, cliff swallow nests were common on the limestone bluffs near streams such as Bear and Deer Creek.

Came home last Thursday evening and after doing chores, took a stroll towards the pond where I spotted the aforementioned ducklings. I also spied my neighbor David toiling in his garden across the fence. Only one thing to do: Went back up the hill to fetch a cold beverage to share during the ensuing visit along the fenceline. It was long overdue and while it didn’t help David’s weeding, the visit and beverages certainly hit the spot. Got an invite to the house for another one and who am I to turn that down? We visited about a wide gamut of things as we always do. He didn’t realize we’d been neighbors 20 years this fall and I didn’t realize how some we visited about were related to each other.

It was a great visit and hated to stop but another day of work was ahead so had to wrap it up. One thing we talked about stuck in my mind and reminded me of how the name for this column came to be: Used to be when farmers worked with horses, was a common practice for them to stop at the end of the field and visit across the fenceline. The horses needed a breather and since there wasn’t much electronic media to listen to, info was disseminated and real news was exchanged. My uncle Harvey who does the old farm scene silhouettes had one called “Back 40 Philosophers” documenting just such an occurrence. A copy hangs at the Mall for Men as a reminder that even though the times have changed, there’s still a place for visiting, with or without the horses.

See you next week…real good then."