Steve Sanford
Well-known member
All~
Well, I can finally put away the gear and give the guns their thorough Saturday Night bath....
From start to finish, there were few birds everywhere. Nevertheless, we enjoyed plenty of fine days afield. Here are a few photos from 3 January days on Long Island.
Two weeks ago, everything seemed to be just right up west. Brisk northwest wind, falling time, first light - even a few whisps of snow - but Old Mr. Black Duck had other ideas. We only saw a handful - where we had expected to see many hundreds. Fortunately, the sky and light were exceptional all morning.
Lots of work for a world of bewilderment.....
* * *
Earlier this week, we were out east. Ice was half-inch or less and hardly slowed the TDB + Yamaha 60.....
We found a spot where drifting ice would not foul our Oldsquaw rig.
Partner Mark Wesner had never shot at Oldsquaw - so a nice bull was our goal for the morning.
Earlier in the week, Craig Kessler had found that aggressive flagging worked best.
I was next to Mark in the boat (White-Wing - http://stevenjaysanford.com/white-wing-2-man-scooter/ ) when he crumpled his first-ever 'squaw - a fully-plumed, prime specimen.
We had a flat calm for the first 3 hours. Most birds flew wide but we had them all around us, calling all day.
* * *
I did not take any photos but we spent the afternoon in a goose pit. A serendipitous meeting over lunch led to an impromptu invitation. We came home with a couple of Canadas - and mud-covered vehicles from the rides in and out.
* * *
The next morning we rigged for Black Ducks. This shoreline still looks like all of Long Island did before dredges and development filled Saltmarsh and Red Maple Swamp all around our mainland.
The forecast all week was for a brisk WNW wind. Once again, though, the morning awoke to a flat calm.
This Hen Mallard called all the way in - around my end of the boat.
I finished my 2015-16 season with my only Shelldrake. I usually shoot only one Merg - either Common or Red-breasted - per season - and then only if it presents a challenging shot. This first year drake screamed across the outside of the rig with 2 others - and provided the opportunity for me to end on a satisfying note.
All the best,
SJS
Well, I can finally put away the gear and give the guns their thorough Saturday Night bath....
From start to finish, there were few birds everywhere. Nevertheless, we enjoyed plenty of fine days afield. Here are a few photos from 3 January days on Long Island.
Two weeks ago, everything seemed to be just right up west. Brisk northwest wind, falling time, first light - even a few whisps of snow - but Old Mr. Black Duck had other ideas. We only saw a handful - where we had expected to see many hundreds. Fortunately, the sky and light were exceptional all morning.
Lots of work for a world of bewilderment.....
* * *
Earlier this week, we were out east. Ice was half-inch or less and hardly slowed the TDB + Yamaha 60.....
We found a spot where drifting ice would not foul our Oldsquaw rig.
Partner Mark Wesner had never shot at Oldsquaw - so a nice bull was our goal for the morning.
Earlier in the week, Craig Kessler had found that aggressive flagging worked best.
I was next to Mark in the boat (White-Wing - http://stevenjaysanford.com/white-wing-2-man-scooter/ ) when he crumpled his first-ever 'squaw - a fully-plumed, prime specimen.
We had a flat calm for the first 3 hours. Most birds flew wide but we had them all around us, calling all day.
* * *
I did not take any photos but we spent the afternoon in a goose pit. A serendipitous meeting over lunch led to an impromptu invitation. We came home with a couple of Canadas - and mud-covered vehicles from the rides in and out.
* * *
The next morning we rigged for Black Ducks. This shoreline still looks like all of Long Island did before dredges and development filled Saltmarsh and Red Maple Swamp all around our mainland.
The forecast all week was for a brisk WNW wind. Once again, though, the morning awoke to a flat calm.
This Hen Mallard called all the way in - around my end of the boat.
I finished my 2015-16 season with my only Shelldrake. I usually shoot only one Merg - either Common or Red-breasted - per season - and then only if it presents a challenging shot. This first year drake screamed across the outside of the rig with 2 others - and provided the opportunity for me to end on a satisfying note.
All the best,
SJS
