Saw this nice news story online about Ivan Miller's colony in northwest Missouri. Ivan is Amish. He has an annual open house at the colony.
http://www.newspressnow.com/sports/outd ... 140a5.html
News story about Ivan Miller colony in Missouri
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Show-Me-Mike
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Wed May 17, 2006 10:08 pm
- Location: MO/Carrollton
John,
Thank you for posting the nice article about Ivan Ray Miller's colony in Jamesport, MO. Jamesport is located in NW Missouri about 50 miles from our home in Carrollton. My wife and I always enjoy going to his "Purple Martin Open House and Tour" the first Saturday in June each year.
Last year's open house was spectacular. The weather was perfect and the martins were in rare form. Ivan Ray's son gave the "martin tours" and we had the privilege of meeting several of his martins up close and personal. He also demonstrated the art of banding and identifying the martins which was very interesting indeed.
For those who have not seen his martin shop where he makes the houses we all love and enjoy, it is a sight to behold. He is truly a craftsman!
One characteristic of his colony, which is a super colony, is that it's located just a few steps from the road. Yes the road which goes in front of his house! I was surprised when I first saw it, but the martins don't seem to mind. I just never expected to see so many martin houses so close to a road.
One other observation. You'll notice from the picture in the article that Ivan Ray has his houses not fully raised to their highest position, almost half mast so to speak. In fact, most of the Amish in the area do the same. At first you think it's a mistake of some sort. I asked Ivan Ray about it and he simply said they do it that way because the weight of the houses sway less in the wind. When you stand under his houses, they can't be more than perhaps 9-10 feet from the ground. But again, the martins don't seem to mind. They are obviously accustomed to the lower height and the quality of their accommodations make up for anything else!
See you all at Ivan Ray Millers place in Jamesport, Missouri on Saturday, June 7.
Best wishes to all for a successful martin season!
Michael DeLany
Thank you for posting the nice article about Ivan Ray Miller's colony in Jamesport, MO. Jamesport is located in NW Missouri about 50 miles from our home in Carrollton. My wife and I always enjoy going to his "Purple Martin Open House and Tour" the first Saturday in June each year.
Last year's open house was spectacular. The weather was perfect and the martins were in rare form. Ivan Ray's son gave the "martin tours" and we had the privilege of meeting several of his martins up close and personal. He also demonstrated the art of banding and identifying the martins which was very interesting indeed.
For those who have not seen his martin shop where he makes the houses we all love and enjoy, it is a sight to behold. He is truly a craftsman!
One characteristic of his colony, which is a super colony, is that it's located just a few steps from the road. Yes the road which goes in front of his house! I was surprised when I first saw it, but the martins don't seem to mind. I just never expected to see so many martin houses so close to a road.
One other observation. You'll notice from the picture in the article that Ivan Ray has his houses not fully raised to their highest position, almost half mast so to speak. In fact, most of the Amish in the area do the same. At first you think it's a mistake of some sort. I asked Ivan Ray about it and he simply said they do it that way because the weight of the houses sway less in the wind. When you stand under his houses, they can't be more than perhaps 9-10 feet from the ground. But again, the martins don't seem to mind. They are obviously accustomed to the lower height and the quality of their accommodations make up for anything else!
See you all at Ivan Ray Millers place in Jamesport, Missouri on Saturday, June 7.
Best wishes to all for a successful martin season!
Michael DeLany
Michael DeLany
"I'm from Missouri, you got to show me the martins!"
"I'm from Missouri, you got to show me the martins!"
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M.Stephens
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:14 pm
- Location: Texas/Texarkana
Cool article John.
Malcolm
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
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PMCA Member
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
____________
PMCA Member