I said I would.....

I thought you were supposed to use oars on a canoe???

North Carolina.

Beagle.... oars are for row boats,   paddles are for canoes.... or in my case MinnKota's.

It's not a big lake but large enough for some liquid fun.   Buck Horn  is closer and larger.  Then there's Wiggins Mill Lake with some feeder streams....

I'll be checking them out now that I have a motor that will propel me faster then I could paddle for more then a minute or two....

Really nice scenery.

I love messing about on the water.

Bristol_Jonesey


Talking of which - isn't it time for your annual bath Jon?

I've only just taken it. 

Back in February, my birthday month...

Nice views and a nice dog. I watched your "dog shower" video as well. I wish our dog would allow being washed voluntarily!!

You mentioning "those flies" made me remember I've been interested to know if you have lots of elk flies (or louse flies) in the US, or is it only a plague of Europe and Russia? I know you have them, but do the nature lovers there consider them as a big nuisance?

It's that flat, brown fly, about 1/4 inches long, that may remain in your body hair for hours or days and sucks blood. There can be tens of thousands of them on an elk or deer. You can not slap it to death, but you need to pick it between your nails. You can not get it from your hair by shaking your head.

They spread to Finland in the 80's from the east and are simply disgusting. Many of my friends stop going into the woods after july  and don't go mushroom picking anymore, because they find those insect so revolting. It isn't nice to sit in the sauna and see these little buggers crawl out from your intimate parts.

Kalle Rantaaho


Nice views and a nice dog. I watched your "dog shower" video as well. I wish our dog would allow being washed voluntarily!!

You mentioning "those flies" made me remember I've been interested to know if you have lots of elk flies (or louse flies) in the US, or is it only a plague of Europe and Russia? I know you have them, but do the nature lovers there consider them as a big nuisance?

It's that flat, brown fly, about 1/4 inches long, that may remain in your body hair for hours or days and sucks blood. There can be tens of thousands of them on an elk or deer. You can not slap it to death, but you need to pick it between your nails. You can not get it from your hair by shaking your head.

They spread to Finland in the 80's from the east and are simply disgusting. Many of my friends stop going into the woods after july  and don't go mushroom picking anymore, because they find those insect so revolting. It isn't nice to sit in the sauna and see these little buggers crawl out from your intimate parts.

remind me again why I don't want to visit Europe and Russia....   We have all sorts of blood sucking things over here.... but I will stay focused on insects and not politicians for this reply.... 


I found a baby pigeon one time in an attic where I was working. I took it home in a box since the other workers on the job had replaced the broken boards where the momma bird was getting in & out to feed it. When I got it home I used some poultry dust since I know birds often have lice. A short time later flies, like you described started coming out of it's feathers.  So I guess we do have the American cousins to the ones you have. But, for the most part, they leave people alone. We have a number of biting flies of all sorts, mosquitoes, and gnats. The gnats don't bite, they just fly around your face and land on you seeking moisture..... in your ears, nose and eyes.... Where I live they are so bad we have actually considered holding the "Sims Annual Gnat Festival" to celebrate all things irritating. 


In  the woods... ticks and mosquitoes are the problems. Depends on the time of year as well.