Last week, I had the great pleasure to spend two days in the spring woods walking and wading a brook trout and salmon stream where we hope to be doing some habitat work later this summer. Partridge were drumming everywhere, and we were spooking brook trout out of every pool.
On the second day, I overslept and did not have time to pack a proper lunch. So I tossed an apple in my bag and grabbed a convenience store sandwich to go with it--turkey and swiss on a stale roll. I knew it was a mistake, but I wasn't going to make it all day in the woods an an apple. About 45 minutes after lunch, I was VERY sure it was a mistake, and I left the rest of the crew to find a quiet spot in the woods. Probably most members of this forum have had to do their business in the woods while wearing waders. For those who have not--it's complicated. There are a lot of things to get down past your knees and out of the way before you let fly.
I sidled up to a nice mossy log at just the right height to "hang two", slide down the waders, pants, and drawers, made sure the suspenders were out of the way, and settled back. As my cheeks hit the moss, something exploded under my thighs--a hen partridge flushed between my knees, touching both legs with her wing tips. Down below me, centered at ground zero, was her nest with 12 eggs. I managed to hold things together while I duck walked to another spot for relief. I sure hope she doesn't abandon that nest. I am totally kicking myself for leaving my phone and camera on the riverbank in my pack.
On the second day, I overslept and did not have time to pack a proper lunch. So I tossed an apple in my bag and grabbed a convenience store sandwich to go with it--turkey and swiss on a stale roll. I knew it was a mistake, but I wasn't going to make it all day in the woods an an apple. About 45 minutes after lunch, I was VERY sure it was a mistake, and I left the rest of the crew to find a quiet spot in the woods. Probably most members of this forum have had to do their business in the woods while wearing waders. For those who have not--it's complicated. There are a lot of things to get down past your knees and out of the way before you let fly.
I sidled up to a nice mossy log at just the right height to "hang two", slide down the waders, pants, and drawers, made sure the suspenders were out of the way, and settled back. As my cheeks hit the moss, something exploded under my thighs--a hen partridge flushed between my knees, touching both legs with her wing tips. Down below me, centered at ground zero, was her nest with 12 eggs. I managed to hold things together while I duck walked to another spot for relief. I sure hope she doesn't abandon that nest. I am totally kicking myself for leaving my phone and camera on the riverbank in my pack.
