Recent content by moss

  1. moss

    Documenting my hand-sewn eye process

    That looks excellent, thx for posting. For my Speedy Stitcher awl I have to grind down the shanks of my ball-tipped industrial sewing machine needles to fit the collet. The shoemaker awl collet opening looks big enough diameter to fit them. -AJ
  2. moss

    Life in the slow lane - screech owl nest box install

    He's been taloned enough by raptors to know how to avoid it but still, I'll bet he gives a little blood every year ;-) Yes he is a master of his craft. When he was a teenager he climbed to a red-tailed hawk nest in a dead tree, the tree failed. Norman has paid his dues for sure. -AJ
  3. moss

    Life in the slow lane - screech owl nest box install

    Just watched the film and I'm reminded once again about the depth of his knowledge. He's educated by his own persistent fieldwork and questioning previous natural history assumptions throughout his life. The film doesn't mention his innovations around putting tracking devices on snowy owls. One...
  4. moss

    Life in the slow lane - screech owl nest box install

    Norman Smith (featured in the vid) is a legend of legends in the New England and beyond raptor and nature education world. He’s still at it making a huge difference. I get to work with him sometimes, he gets a little cranky about my “modern” climbing technique, he’s always spiked trees to do...
  5. moss

    Life in the slow lane - screech owl nest box install

    Thx! Your assumption is correct, anything that wants to be in a tree cavity of that size will use it. A screech owl box opening is tight for a gray squirrel but they'll eventually widen it and get in. I had a flicker occupy one of my screech owl boxes and a gray squirrel move in to a kestrel...
  6. moss

    Life in the slow lane - screech owl nest box install

    Thanks! Later November can be bitter cold or mild, depends which direction the weather is blowing from.
  7. moss

    Life in the slow lane - screech owl nest box install

    It was just convenience, I had regular tree work earlier in the day. When I got there I set my line before dark and then did a walk-through with my customer about some trees they wanted me to look at. By the time we were done it was dark. Not a problem for a job like this. It was on the cold...
  8. moss

    Life in the slow lane - screech owl nest box install

    In the last couple months I've hung 3 squirrel boxes and 2 screech owl boxes. The squirrel boxes are for a customer's backyard entertainment in a semi-urban neighborhood. They put out a lot of quality food for "their squirrels" and wanted to complete the picture with free housing. The local...
  9. moss

    Who wins?

    Short-term distraction, petty revenge, and holding power in Washington, the slimy enablers Bondi, Vance, Rubio, Hesgeth et al jockeying for position to move in after he's gone. Yes yes yes they all say until it's no longer expedient. When the mediocre Trump reign is over some will have dramatic...
  10. moss

    Stihl gas and oil caps like or loath?

    I just replaced the OG oil fill cap on my MS261, it seems to be an updated design. Requires more force to lock in but it is secure. The twist locking action is different than the OG. Stihl has probably been hearing complaints for years and finally did something. -AJ
  11. moss

    There is no "industry"

    I enjoyed watching the squirrel nesting material being removed and showing the extent of the cavity. Good job verifying no young in a nest. Not common in winter but it happens. I'm curious to know how far above the cavity you released the top. Nicely done! -AJ
  12. moss

    There is no "industry"

    Totally. Everything used with context awareness. I never shock load my arm lanyard ;-) It's like taking an intentional swing, looks awesome in videos but... everything within a climber's self-determined limits and margin of safety aka comfort zone. -AJ
  13. moss

    There is no "industry"

    Academy award, and lifetime contribution to tree climbing! When one of my younger brothers was learning to become a mason he found out that watching a crew working on a stone wall might cause them to take a cigarette break until he stopped looking. The ways of their trade would not be given...
  14. moss

    45° limbs

    Excellent response. I used words that imply "wishy washy" if you don't take a stand. Did not mean it quite that way. If I had done a better job of thinking and writing my post it would be something like "Come up with your best plan, present it to the customer. Answer questions and educate along...
  15. moss

    45° limbs

    "Welcome", best comment. Funny, I feel like I've already looked at the photo that doesn't exist! Who needs Chatgpt? The imagination and a bit of experience paints the picture. Photos are helpful for sure. -AJ
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