PORCH SITTING; REVIVING AN OLD TRADITION
When I was growing up long before cell phones came and stole away our solitude, sitting on the porch, especially in late afternoon, was something I came to expect. I can still see my dad in our old rocking chair; mama in the swing, us kids sitting on the steps enjoying being there as a day came to a close.
Instead of staring at the screen in our hands, lightning bugs were our entertainment. We had a jar mom kept on the porch for my brother, sister and me to see how many lightning bugs we could catch to put in the jar. This was our glowing, flickering entertainment until mom said it was time to unscrew the lid and let the little bugs fly and flash freely.
Where have those special times gone? We’re inside watching the mostly depressing daily news or Seinfeld or re-runs of Andy Griffith instead of sitting outside.
Over the past few weeks, my wife and I have decided to relive the old porch sitting tradition. Our back porch is perfectly suited for sitting. My lounge chair, footstool, and Kay’s rocker seem to be especially comfortable to sit and relax during the last hour of the day.
Our backyard is surrounded by trees, both tall pines and a thicket of smaller saplings that are attractive to the birds that call our home place their home. I suspect many of them spend their nights roosting in the thicket. A bird feeder sitting just off the porch we keep filled with bird seed is the focal point for birds that like to grab a snack before heading to the thicket to bed down for the night.
Keeping up with the variety of birds that visit the feeder is an enjoyable exercise all its own. The most prevalent species that sometimes fuss over space on the feeder are cardinals, blue jays, tufted titmice, Carolina wrens, mourning doves, red-bellied woodpeckers, and chickadees, with occasional visits from nuthatches and chipping sparrows.
We have had a pair this summer we haven’t seen before. Red-headed woodpeckers, all decked out with brilliant red heads, black backs, and white wing patches, are just flat-out beautiful birds, and we can expect to see the pair every afternoon. Woodpeckers are more designed to scoot up tree trunks than try to hang on the side of our feeder to feed but somehow they manage to get it done.
Just before the sun slides behind the brush to bid the day adieu, we’ll watch as lightning bugs turn on their tail lights, and hear the rapid staccato call of our pileated woodpecker. Then there is the recognized call of the yellow-billed cuckoo, or one most folks know as the rain crow.
There is another bird that we never see that tunes up its vocal chords to produce some of the sweetest music this side of Heaven. As sunlight fades, the twilight song of the wood thrush from somewhere back behind the yard has to be heard to be appreciated.
Back porch sitting; when is the last time you enjoyed the quiet and relaxing chance to just sit outside to watch and listen as daylight fades? You don’t have to live in the country like we do to enjoy these special moments of quiet solitude but admittedly, rural settings are best suited.
If you live in town, go ahead and put up a bird feeder. It might surprise you to see how many different species of birds live in town and you might find porch sitting at day’s end to be more rewarding than sitting in front of the news on television to end up being depressed.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass are around the grass early and hitting topwaters. Later they’re around deep drops and channels. Soft plastics and cranks baits and the new Fuzzy Dice baits are working best. Crappie are around the deeper tops and are hitting jigs and shiners. Bream are on shallow beds and hitting small spinners, crickets and worms with some really big ones being caught. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Crappie are around brush hitting shiners or jigs. Some big bass are being caught by flipping the trees and lily pads with oversized soft plastics along with Dice Baits including the Sea Urchin. Bream are still on the shallow beds and hitting crickets and worms. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – Water level is rising because of heavy rains and fishing is improving. Crappie have improved in the river lakes. Bass hitting crank baits in the cuts. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are best on topwaters early and crank baits and soft plastics later on secondary points. The lake is rising because of heavy rains creating off colored water with more current than normal. Crappie are in the channel and channel edges in 12-14 foot water hitting jigs and shiners. The bream are on the beds and biting crickets and small spinners. Lots of catfish are being caught on red wigglers and night crawlers just off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie are around deep brush with jigs and shiners working best. Bass are in the shallows early hitting topwaters and in deeper water around around the channel edges later. Soft plastics and crank baits are picking up some. Night fishing is starting to improve. Bream are on the shallow beds and hitting worms and crickets. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water level is at a standstill and should start falling early next week. Catfish are being caught on trotlines and buffalo caught in nets. Crappie and bass have not started to hit but barfish are starting to bite. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.