Paul Kirtley's blog..........
 

Spring is a time of great change, of significant transformation in the landscape. The pace starts off slow, with subtle signs here and there, available to the attentive nature watcher. Then, as the days grow longer, there is acceleration. Life seems to burst into the previously dormant world. It’s a wonderful time of the year to be exploring nature and the more you are out, the more you’ll witness. After the short days of winter, it’s a good time of year to dust of your bushcraft knowledge, sharpen your skills and sample the best that springtime has to offer!

Spring is a time when dormant shrubs and trees come back to life. Catkins and blossoms are one of the first signs of this resurgence of activity in the hedgerows and in the woods. Catkins are spikes of small flowers. Catkins are most closely associated with hazel, alder and willows. Blossoms are closely associated with fruit trees in particular. In the early spring we can expect to see the blossom of blackthorn, otherwise known as sloe, as well as the cherry plum, or myrobalan plum, both of which have very similar and very pretty and flowers which appear before the trees come into leaf. It’s quite a transformation when these species come into flower, from a very dark skeletal hedgerow or understorey in the woods, to an explosion of white or very light pink blossom and a spray of brightness and colour.

Get this down..it's the #1 basic skill you need, next to finding a water source.

Thanks so much for the tip Kittygrrl.....:hangloose:

But in spring what if there's not a lot of leaves laying about? Would perhaps bushcrafting with a good friend be beneficial as you'd have body heat if not much else to keep you's warm?

I enjoyed this video but you know that was A LOT of work, after that no doubt anyone would sleep like a log, no pun intended!

...
the work calms you...give's you something constructive to concentrate on, instead of freaking out and getting more lost..it doesn't have to be quite that labor intensive...this is why practicing a few different styles in the fall, really helps

A don't for bushcrafting for beginners....
 

.http://homesteading-guide.com/


Buying cammo/earthy colored supplies: Being decked out in army surplus and leather might look cool, but is also blends into the woods. As such, it is harder to find/easier to lose. Also, if you get into trouble it’s nice to have bright colors that make it easier to find you.

So don't worry if that bright orange makes your butt look a bit bigger, in an emergency it can save your ass and that's all that really counts!

Dear Folk; I just want to jump in here and say the Ticks are back! Start the Frontline flea treatments for your pets, wear a hat or bandana, long-sleeve shirts, underwear, socks, pants, and always put your pants in your socks in the bush.

More tips from allaboutbirds.org
 

Spring is a prime season for bird watching. Many birds are easier to identify in their brightly colored breeding plumage. Males sing with increasing frequency as they approach their breeding grounds. And bird flocks become quite concentrated during migration, with large numbers of each species passing through in the brief space of a few weeks. But that doesn’t mean bird watching is easy in spring. Most migrants don’t visit backyard bird feeders. Finding those jewels of migration, such as Blackburnian Warblers, Cape May Warblers, and Townsend’s Warblers, usually requires getting out and birding in the field. There are several ways to improve your chances of striking warbler gold this spring.

Watch the weather: Picking the right day, with the right weather conditions, can make all the difference in what you see. In the spring, warblers move on winds blowing from the south. South winds help push migrants toward their northern breeding grounds, which allows the birds to expend less energy. But for a bird watcher, sustained south winds may cause birds to fly right over without stopping in your neighborhood. Watch your local forecasts for storms that force migrating birds out of the air and down to patches of habitat. The largest concentrations of birds and fallouts generally occur when south winds are met by some change in the weather—rain, snow, or a quick shift in wind direction. Even a passing line of local thunderstorms can leave an astonishing array of avian gems in your local park. Check quickly, though, because the birds will often depart the next night.

Under underestimate the importance of a compass..
 

one of minehttps://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/5GAAA...LT/s-l1600.jpg

WOW very impressive Miss Kittygrrl...

From today's Seattle Times Sunday paper....
 

Hiking in the wilderness means accepting some amount of risk. But with these best practices from folks versed in search and rescue operations and trail advocacy, you can stay safe and enjoy the Pacific Northwest's wild places.

Tell someone where you’re going, Research the trail and check conditions before you go, Pack the essentials, Don’t be afraid to turn back, Educate yourself.

If worse comes to worst
Sometimes, no matter how much research you’ve done and how careful you are, things go wrong anyway. This is where the gear you packed and the preparation you made before hitting the trail just might save your life. But first things first:

Stay calm. Both Adams and Ramos emphasize the importance of staying calm in a crisis. This will allow you to assess the situation and intelligently deploy the gear you need and the skills you’ve developed to keep yourself safe.

Get to a safe place and stay there. If you are already in a safe place, stay there. If you’re lost, wandering is likely to take you further away from the known trail and make you harder to find. If you’re injured, trying to move around may lead to further injury. If you are not in a safe place, find the nearest safe location and stay there.

Remember your gear. Use your gear to stay warm, hydrated, fed and as visible as possible. If you opted for that locator beacon, activate it. If you brought that whistle, use it. The information you left with a friend or family member will make it easier for Search and Rescue to find you.

Tell someone where you’re going

Especially if you’re hiking alone, it is important to make sure someone knows exactly where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Snohomish County Search and Rescue, and Everett Mountain Rescue have a handy “Trip Plan” on their websites you can fill out and leave with a friend or family member.

More from the Seattle's Time article.......
 

Peeing outside?
KR “Recently I’ve taken up using a pee rag, which has been great … It’s basically a bandanna so that you don’t have to deal with toilet paper if you’re not a drip-dry gal.”

Boob sweat?
MV: “Stay away from the uniboob bras … Bra companies are leveling up and making really good bras for people with some boobage.” Recommendations: Use a natural deodorant or tea-tree oil if you get itching (it’s an antifungal)
Get fitted for a good sports bra. Good brands for larger breasts: Elomi, Glamorise, Superfit Hero, Moving Comfort.

Thigh burn/chafing?
ER: “[I’ve found] a pair of Under Armour Men’s Mesh Boxerjocks to be the best thing. They’re long cut and you can pull them down the thighs, so I have protection down to midthigh, because they’re made for cis-dudes and there’s an airflow in that situation that you don’t experience with women’s underwear.”

Need a better or new knife this year?
 

Then check out the Bremerton Gun & Knife Show


Sat, Apr 13, 9 AM –5 PM Sun, Apr 14, 9 AM 4 PM Kitsap County Fairgrounds & Events Center 1200 Fairgrounds Rd NW, Bremerton, WA

https://cdn.jamieoliver.com/recipe-d...1421150692.jpg



Cooking over an open fire, I can't wait to try it....