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.

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.

With the rapid urbanization taking place around the globe it can be difficult to preserve our vision of nature. Few of us have the opportunity to live in areas that have rich wildlife and scenic landscapes. One of the easiest ways to satisfy your desire to experience the wilderness or countryside is through artwork.

As citizens from rural communities continue to migrate to cities, it can be therapeutic to maintain a connection with the country. Country wall art is an easy way to quench your nostalgic thirst for home. Art is no longer limited to simple paintings; you can find a variety of exquisite pieces, everything from metal wall hangings to lamp shades.

My neighbor, who lives across the street, is the king of porch and yard decor. Since we first moved in, he has had at least 20 windchimes adorning his porch, metal signs decorating the front of this house, and hand carved wooden ornaments in his yard. I thought it was a little much at first, but then I realized that my neighbor just takes pride in his home and enjoys finding and making new pieces of decor. His holiday displays, especially his fleet of lighted reindeer for Christmas, are especially impressive.

My husband and I decided to add some tasteful metal yard art to our front yard, since we felt ours looked a little plan compared to our neighbor’s yard. We found a nice wrought-iron decoration that featured a few butterflies fluttering on the end of a 4-foot-tall stake. We inserted the stake into our front yard, amongst some plants in a front flower bed, and immediately loved how it looked. Our neighbor noticed it right away and came over that same day to tell us how great it was. If I’m not mistaken, I even think he might have been a little jealous!

It’s a blessing to me to hear that there are still areas in North America that allow the wild herds of Buffalo to roam freely in the same way they have for centuries.  One of the areas is in and near the Yellowstone National Park.  Each year the Buffalo roam the range areas surrounding Yellowstone and must be rounded up and placed back into the park’s protective reserve.  The purpose of the roundup is to prevent burcellosis and other diseases carried by bison that could affect the health of range cattle, and then spreading out of control among domestic cattle herds. 

Cowboys from ranches in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming all join in the spring roundup in order to protect their investments by guarding their cattle herds.  The article written by Jim Overstreet, with photos by Mark MacLeod, is published in the Western Horseman magazine, May 2009, pages 22-28.

Rustic metal looks great on the exterior of a log cabin or wooden fence. If you’ve finished building your dream cabin hideaway but the outside looks a little too plain, consider outdoor metal wall art to complete the look. Hanging a welcome sign is a classic way to warm up a home, making it appealing to both residents and visitors, but signs made of laser-cut steel also offer the beauty of intricate designs. Mr. Ed’s Wild Frontier offers laser-cut welcome signs that will weather naturally when hung outside, so they become even more beautiful over time.

The “welcome” message can be the main attraction in beautiful cursive script, with chickadees or a hummingbird accompanying it to add a touch of wildlife. Or nature can dominate the design, featuring pine cones along with a moose, bear or fish and the “welcome” message. Yet another design includes the image of a cozy cabin tucked away in the woods, with smoke spiraling out of the chimney. Add this rustic touch to your hideaway, and you’ll never want to leave.

For a diverse garden with lasting appeal, it’s important to incorporate all the elements. This includes the central elements of earth, wood, and water, as well as the less often integrated elements of stone, fire, and metal. While the vegetation in the garden takes care of the earth and wood, it’s also important to integrate water. This could include something like a fountain, or a garden pond. In terms of stone, a few assorted statuettes is an excellent idea, or a full stone fountain can also work well in the garden. Fire and vegetation often don’t mix well, but well tended fire pit can make a garden much more beautiful in the twilight hours, and also provide warmth. The fire pit can also serve as metal garden art, but be sure to consider other metal garden art like wildlife silhouettes and signs.

With these elements incorporated in the garden, it will be all the more beautiful and is sure to become one of the favorite places in the home. Make sure the garden looks as you would want it, otherwise, it just becomes someone else’s sweet escape!

Being on a cattle drive was always a lot of hard work.  At least it was when I was a young man.  We de-horned the calves, earmarked and branded some, and on those bound some day for the slaughter house, we removed the family jewels.  By the time I was kicked in the ribs by a 300 to 400 pound steer, and bucked off a horse, I had experienced real western lifestyle on the ranch.  Country boys worked pretty hard, and I was ready to return to the soft city life.

On the other hand, if I could be a part of the Burk family cattle drive from Squaw Valley, California ranch into the Sequoia National Forest every year, I’d change my attitude real quick.   Just driving through this amazing sanctuary of giant trees brought me closer to the Creator each time.  The Burks have been moving cattle every year to summer range since 1941.

Read this article, “RIDING AMONG GIANTS,” by Darrell Dodds in the Western Horseman magazine, February 2009, pages 22-27.

The goodness of a garden brings blessings in many ways.  Healthy living is primarily the most important benefit.  When you share the bounty of the crops you raise, the giving process multiplies the gift.  Putting your hands and energy into an earth garden increases the human immunity system to disease.  In addition, it strengthens the body with exercise, by exposing the body to fresh air and sunshine.

The blessings continue with unlimited joys of outdoor images of nature’s gifts through birds, bees, and butterflies.  They all help in the pollination of flowers, fruits, and nuts.  And this is just the beginning of how a garden blesses our lives.  It influences relationships with friends, family, and neighbors.  Then, in the event of a clever artistic design of your gardens, when you place your home on the market for sale, having a productive garden raises the value of your home and  property.