Tag Archives: John S. Quarterman

Burning five acres 2026-01-06

Thanks to Max Barzallo and Mary Clement for helping burn five acres around the house. And of course thanks to Honeybun, Blondie, River, and Sky for helping.

Now if another fire gets loose, it won’t burn to the house.

[Burning five acres, Pine fire forest 2026-01-06, With neighbor help, and dogs]
Burning five acres, Pine fire forest 2026-01-06, With neighbor help, and dogs

Here’s some video:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1644259806439943/

https://youtu.be/l3fZ-Adr_3I

For those who are not familiar with prescribed burns, we live in a longleaf fire forest. Southern pine trees are fire resistant, so burns don’t affect them much, but the fire does cut back on vines and other undergrowth, as well as competing oaks, sweetgum, and other trees.

Wildlife benefits. Continue reading →

River, Sky, and Blondie 2025-12-27

River likes to clean her sister’s ear.

Sky seems to like it.

Blondie just looks away.

[River cleaning Sky's ear while Blondie looks away]
River cleaning Sky’s ear while Blondie looks away

All three are Carolina Dogs, a little-known landrace breed that was here before the settlers.

-jsq

Garter Snake 2025-12-13

This Eastern Garter Snake was just lying in the driveway.

[Garter snake]
Garter snake

I left that Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis there.

Next time I walked by, she had moved on.

Supposed to freeze tonight and tomorrow night. Probably won’t see many snakes the next couple of days.

-jsq

Canebrake Rattlesnake 2025-12-10

This canebrake rattlesnake wanted to be sure we knew he was there.

[Would be well-hidden but was loud]
Would be well-hidden but was loud

We being me and River the Carolina Dog (that’s a breed).

River wanted to investigate further, but came back when I called.

A Crotalus horridus is nothing for a 73-pound dog to mess with.

Here’s a video:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1370351284593043

https://youtu.be/539pJgw1yNg Continue reading →

Tis but a scratch 2025-11-26

Whilst mowing up some privet that had grown up since Hurricane Helene, the 18-inch Ego electric chainsaw fell under the tractor mower.

[In a bucket]
In a bucket

Turns out if you shatter a lithium battery, the pieces get very hot.

After I put out the several grass fires, in the bucket is what we collected.

I think the black knight said it best:

“Tis but a scratch.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmInkxbvlCs Continue reading →