sometimes, it just isn't about things falling from the sky---this morning, my gunning partner of thirty years and i toddled out to our spot at battery point, ostensibly to open the teal season---We did manage to see a few flocks--we got out about five minutes too late-you gotta understand, B V is about six months my senior, but not as physically fit---nuff said on that matter---
Anyway, we sat in the merkel bushes to the left and right of eden, whish needs a lot of repair from the may flood-saw three flocks of teal whizzing south across the marsh, apparently hastened by shooting from the state area to our north--
Now, for what makes a morning special---three or four flocks of abocets passed overhead--an immature bald eagle landed to our east, on a mud flat, rested for a while, then flapped away--we were finally entertained by at least six ospreys, who were intent upon culling the mullet population---one struck within fifteen feet of us-the splash of water was neat, and without missing a beat, he rose with a fish in talons, and shook the water from his feathers as he rose!! You may have seen this happen, but after twenty years on the same marsh, i can say that i never had the opportunity to see an osprey that CLOSE, nor did i know that they could shake water off themselves with such vigor.
Dogs had a good time exploring on the way in, and we gave at least a pint up to the myriad salt marsh mosquitoes--We know things change out there, and were already antsy about the real season, afterseeing sprig in their summer plumage cruising around, along with shovelers , mallards and blacks.
Man, i just LOVE getting out there-always something to see and do---when it cools a bit, we will be reboulding and grassing for the coming big duck time.
Off saturday to do a carving demo north of wilmingto at the blue barn.
Anyway, we sat in the merkel bushes to the left and right of eden, whish needs a lot of repair from the may flood-saw three flocks of teal whizzing south across the marsh, apparently hastened by shooting from the state area to our north--
Now, for what makes a morning special---three or four flocks of abocets passed overhead--an immature bald eagle landed to our east, on a mud flat, rested for a while, then flapped away--we were finally entertained by at least six ospreys, who were intent upon culling the mullet population---one struck within fifteen feet of us-the splash of water was neat, and without missing a beat, he rose with a fish in talons, and shook the water from his feathers as he rose!! You may have seen this happen, but after twenty years on the same marsh, i can say that i never had the opportunity to see an osprey that CLOSE, nor did i know that they could shake water off themselves with such vigor.
Dogs had a good time exploring on the way in, and we gave at least a pint up to the myriad salt marsh mosquitoes--We know things change out there, and were already antsy about the real season, afterseeing sprig in their summer plumage cruising around, along with shovelers , mallards and blacks.
Man, i just LOVE getting out there-always something to see and do---when it cools a bit, we will be reboulding and grassing for the coming big duck time.
Off saturday to do a carving demo north of wilmingto at the blue barn.
