Wildlife Wall Decor

Its an amazing part of nature to watch the cycle of migrating birds each year.  I have a premonition . . . that even if humans had all the facts about weather and natural disasters like plagues, droughts, floods, the phase of the moon, and now global warming . . . that the birds really don’t care, nor do they understand!  They still nest and raise their brood.  They still fly and make magnificent wildlife silhouettes across the North American skies.

“The Amazing Journey” is an informative article in the Ducks Unlimited magazine, May/June 2008, pages 34-39.  Scott Stephens, Ph. D. is the writer and director of conservation planning at DU’s Great Plains office in Bismarck, North Dakota.  Dr. Stephens gives the reader a better understanding of migratory flights of ducks.

Hunters depending on the rut of Whitetail Deer are usually disappointed . . . says Doug Howlett.  Doug is author of an article, “Rut Reset,” in the magazine Outdoor Life, November 2009, pages 61-68.  I understand from this article that there are just too many variables to use the Rut Season to determine when and how to hunt the elusive Whitetail Deer.

However, according to Doug Howlett, there are three “Rut Stands that Work” #1 . . . The Seeking-phase Setups. (Does are running from the bucks.)  #2 . . . The Chasing-phase Setups.  (Does are coming into estrus, and the bucks shadow the does.) and #3 . . . The Breeding-phase Setups.  (Both animals tend to lay up in thick areas of cover.)

The author suggests “Hot Zones” and “Best Stand Locations.”  Should I be a hunter again, I would check this out.  Since I’m not a hunter, I depend on displaying my wildlife trophies in beautiful metal pieces of outdoor wall art.

The origins of much of the wildlife wall art produced in the United States raises concerns of both hunters and politicians in all of the continent of North America.  Most migratory birds find food, water, and nesting areas from Mexico, all the way into the protective wetlands of the United States and Canada.

Here is an article with beautiful photography about the migration of Mallard and Pintail ducks published in the magazine, Ducks Unlimited, November/December 2009, pages 48-55, interestingly and informatively written by Mike Anderson, PH.D.

The article is “Conservation in Canada,” but the focus is on the harvesting of ducks in the States . . . of a natural product, waterfowl . . . that find their origins in the bountiful water marshes, lakes and natural resources of Canada.  Good reading!

Each year we bring out and display Christmas decorations stored in our trunks, attics, garages, and basements.  We celebrate holy holidays with indoor and outdoor wildlife wall decor . . . to be festive! . . . maintaining special memories of celebrations gone by.  Trees, lights, wreaths, table settings, and outdoor welcome signs are dusted off to please each other and our families, friends and neighbors.  In America we can worship God openly with religious, free expressions.

With all the poverty, hatred, bitterness, and unforgiveness that’s in the world today, let this holiday be the beginnings for peace, love, and forgiveness.  This holiday can generate true joy that brings about happiness for every hurting and lonely soul.  Let there be a launching of love and laughter in our lifetime!  Now!  Come build a special memory that starts growth towards newer and more lasting relationships between everyone, every race, and in every country . . . for the good of all.  

The urgency of this call is great because thousands perish daily because of greed, ignorance, and stupidity!  Desire for power and fame is a strong force sweeping generations from the face of the earth.  A waste of human life . . . and for what?

Wildlife Wall Decor might be the answer for the hunter who lives by the myths of hunting and never brings home the deer.  I never even knew there were myths in hunting, until I read this article by Andrew McKean in one of the outdoor magazines on hunting white-tail deer.  The magazine article is titled, HUNTING, and is sub-titled, “Myth Busters,” November 2009, pages 23-25.

Here is a list of Andrew McKean’s ten hunting myths: 1)  The rut is constant; 2)  Rut-dumb Deer; 3)  Scrapes mean Trophies; 4)  Only Big Boys breed; 5)  Hunt early and late; 6)  Find Does - Find Bucks;  7)  Rattling Rules;  The Second rut is best; 9)  The moon matters; 10)  Rutting Bucks stink.  After each myth, Andrew writes his REALITY checkup.

It seems that creative technology has become the modern day hunter’s edge over the survival instincts of wildlife.  The big game hunter has become crafty in developing clever instruments that call the wild game out of their safety zone and into the line of fire.  The killed animal meets its destiny to become still life trophies as wildlife wall art in someone’s cabin, as a focal point over a beautifully designed rock-faced fire place.

“Calls of the Wild,” is an entertaining article written by John B. Snow and Andrew McKean, published in the Outdoor Life magazine, pages 73-79.  This article describes some of these calls of unique technology used in hunting wild game.

During high school I participated in many sports, and was dedicated to every team I was on. While I would train year-round for athletics, my parents were often more avid about the athletic competitions than I was. Our house has always adorned with a variety of school memorabilia.

As our mascot was the Wolves, we naturally had a fair amount of wolf art throughout the house. My sister, who is an artist, even created a mural-sized portrait that takes up most of the living room wall. Although I appreciated there support, even I felt that my family went a little bit over the top.

Growing up in a small mountain town, I became accustomed to people being friendly and out-going. Everyone in my community knew everyone else, and there were always welcome signs on people’s porches. In recent years, I have grown to learn that this sentiment towards your neighbors is not the norm around the country.

When I moved to Los Angeles to go to college, I had a quick reality check. My neighbors there were not sociable, and even exhibited skepticism for one another. While there are many benefits to a bigger city, I still enjoy the familiarity of the small town.

Many people spend thousands of dollars and countless hours designing and decorating their homes. Picking out the right paint, carpet and lighting can be a painstaking process. Most furniture designs, however, are a dime-a-dozen; the freedom you have in most furniture choices is reduced to the color of the varnish. When decorating a living room or any other interior space it can be difficult to find furniture that reflects your personality.

Etched glass is a great way to add a personal, artistic element to your furniture. An etched glass end table or coffee table can reflect you personality and interests in an innovative way. Any piece of glass is a blank template for an etched design, and the possibilities are endless. You can find a variety of professionally done pieces or purchase etching tools and try it yourself.

One of the most memorable vacation trips my wife and I made formed a circle in the great outdoors.   The trip included the 4 Corners of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and the panhandle of Texas.  The National Parks that we visited were the Mesa Verde, in northeastern New Mexico, Bryce Canyon and Zion in southern Utah, and the Grand Canyon in North Arizona.  These beautiful red rock formations and canyons not only broadened the historical appreciation of our American history, but also expanded our vision of the awesome scenery provided by our North American National Parks.

Reciently, I picked up the Highways magazine, May 2009, and read pages 32-36.  There in print was an article about the National Parks that we visited on our Red Rock Vacation.