Date: 9/16 Sat
Time: morning
Location: SW of Welsh
Cloud Cover: clear
Wind Direction and Velocity: nil
Temperature: warm
Moon phase:Special Notes:Waterfowl Activity: Saw less of everything, large and small, moving than yesterday. Though our host's spot a half mile or so to our east had a couple pintails come by.
Waterfowl Responsiveness: This time we started where we ended up yesterday and were better positioned for what was in our area. But looking into the sun sucked once it was up and may have helped the birds see us, as most seemed to hit a wall at the edge of range. Might be I was giving them the "Run away, we have guns." call...
Hunters: 4, another of our host's friends, Ryan, joined Ed, Hudson and I. Turned out to be the father of one of my grandsons' buddies.
Guns:Malfunctions:Dog(s): Learned Ed's dog's name is Greta (not "Here!"), and, having taken the edge off yesterday, did a real nice job. Did wear an e-collar today, but don't think Ed ever used it. Nor did she need much of the whistle he also remembered.
Special Equipment: Brought both of my portable spinners, but can't say adding the little teal version mattered much. Did see improvement when I turned the big one toward the sun. Couldn't, however, say whether being more prominent improved its draw or simply helped it take some eyes off sunlit faces in the grass.
Curses: None from me.
Kudos: Passed a fine time in good company.
Birds By Species: 18 blue-wing teal (several hens in the mix)
Photo Ops: Our hero, Hudson:
002a.jpg
After taking the above, I finally got POed enough at my little P&S camera's failure to zoom as it should to figure out its alternate, manual method. So, we'll see about logging more future photos...
Lagniappe Not long after my arrival down here in '83, the late USFW Senior Enforcement Agent, Dave Hall, told me that the great thing about September teal was that "It gives the Cajuns a taste of teal that helps them lay off the big ducks until the regular season opens." Thought of that this morning when I declined our host's invitation to go again in the morning. Felt like I've had my taste of teal and didn't want to wear out the welcome I was most grateful for.
YOU MUST REGISTER TO VIEW THIS IMAGE.