Steve Sanford
Well-known member
Happy Thanksgiving, All!
I took these photos a few days ago - on Great South Bay. The season opens this morning - just one per day because of falling winter counts - but I am up in dairy country, wishing good hunts for all of my Long Island gunning brethren. I am providing these photos especially for those of you who do not get to enjoy this remarkable species. I had about 300 Atlantic Brant around me - and my camera handy Tuesday morning. They flew and fed all around me and so I got to watch their wonderful flight patterns - especially the flying abreast whilst uttering the low, rolling calls and clucks. And, although the near future looks unpromising, I was very happy to see lots of juveniles in the flock. The young-of-the-year have pale edgings on their back feathers. So, with a scope and some patience, one can count adults and juveniles in a feeding flock. Back in the day, we would survey a few thousand Brant each November to get a sense of productivity.
Whether you are hunting today, putting away the season's gear, preparing for an opener - or just gathering with family and friends, I wish you all the best,
SJS
I took these photos a few days ago - on Great South Bay. The season opens this morning - just one per day because of falling winter counts - but I am up in dairy country, wishing good hunts for all of my Long Island gunning brethren. I am providing these photos especially for those of you who do not get to enjoy this remarkable species. I had about 300 Atlantic Brant around me - and my camera handy Tuesday morning. They flew and fed all around me and so I got to watch their wonderful flight patterns - especially the flying abreast whilst uttering the low, rolling calls and clucks. And, although the near future looks unpromising, I was very happy to see lots of juveniles in the flock. The young-of-the-year have pale edgings on their back feathers. So, with a scope and some patience, one can count adults and juveniles in a feeding flock. Back in the day, we would survey a few thousand Brant each November to get a sense of productivity.
Whether you are hunting today, putting away the season's gear, preparing for an opener - or just gathering with family and friends, I wish you all the best,
SJS