Waldo news

tomgseymour@gmail.com

338-9746

Town dirt roads have become not just dry, but parched. That causes huge clouds of dust to follow vehicles as they travel, the larger the vehicle, the bigger the dust cloud.

I drove down East Waldo Road just as a big pickup truck with huge tires went the other way. The truck raised such a storm of dust that I wondered if I should put my high beams on. But as with all things good and bad, this soon passed and the threat was dissipated.

The dust, though, has become all-conquering, filling in every crack and seam in my Chevy Trax. Washing my car is an exercise in futility, since the first time out it becomes covered with dust again.

I pity those who live next to the road, since what happens to my SUV also happens to houses. My place sits well off the road, back in the woods where the dust cannot venture.

As we approach late summer and early fall, the rainy season, the dust problem should end. That is until winter, when cold, dry weather causes the same effect.

Under the feeder

Songbirds are out in full force. Yellow-throated warblers, goldfinches, hummingbirds and phoebes predominate around my place. Some birds, notably grackles, have already developed a flock mentality. Before too long, our avian friends will take flight for warmer climes. But not quite yet, thankfully.

Perchin’ prediction

This week should see an improvement in angler fortunes. Conditions point to an upsurge in feeding activity.

Don’t forget that Aug. 15 marks the last day that we can use bait for trout in brooks, rivers and streams. Also, the five-fish limit on brooks and streams ends, and beginning on the 16th, the law requires artificial lures only, and a one-fish daily bag limit.

Weekly quote

“The wasting moth ne’er spoiled my best array; the cause was this, I wore it every day.” — Alexander Pope