New arrivals at BdA NWR

Al Hansen

Al Hansen

Well-known member
Time does not stand still down here. Over the course of the last couple of days thousands of light geese have shown up. From what I observed today where ever these birds go to raise youngsters, they sure look like they had a bumper crop. Lots of gray birds in the area now.

The sandhill cranes continue to increase their numbers, also. Along with that there are tons of pintails and more widgeons seem to be showing up, too. Bev and I had a great time today.
Al



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Al, do you use your camera in manual mode or in auto? The lighting and exposure always look so great in your photos
 
Thank you, Paul. I have been terribly spoiled ever since moving down here. We are only 8 miles from the north boundary of the refuge. The staff at Bosque del Apache is doing a great job.
Al

I had just come home from a hunt and had taken my sled out of the Mule. This pup took advantage of the shade.



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Sure glad you liked them, Tom. It is always a challenge when taking pictures but it sure is a satisfying hobby.
Al

I have forgotten the name that duck hunters in the southeast call this gadwall with a white ring around his neck. I have only seen 2 of them in my lifetime. Might you know it, Tom?



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Hi Ben,
Good question. It took me years to figure it out but I much prefer to take shots using the manual mode. Don't forget how easy it is to push delete. I do that a lot.
Al

Do you remember when I took you down to the Honey Hole at the ranch? I hunted there on Monday and took a hen Mexican duck. I thought it was a drake and pulled on it when I had some mallards come in.

I was using 10 decoys and will use the same amount tomorrow morning when I go hunting. They said we might get some rain. If it is raining I will gladly stay home and wait for the severe clear to come back. This is the highest the water will ever get since the retaining wall was washed out this summer. I don't mind because there always seems to be a duck or two that will swing by and at least give the place a look. The rancher told me that when it dries up next summer, which it normally does, he will fix the gaping hole in the wall..

That picture of Chip I took just to show you that he sat there for 3 hours. The only time he moved was to get the hen Mexican duck. He is a very patient dog when inside the blind.




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Nice photos! About 4 years ago I shot a Gadwall with a white ring and its outer most 2 or 3 primaries were snow white as well. I assumed it was a hybrid of some kind. I have it mounted on the wall along with a regular colored drake Gadwall. I'd sure like to know what I got as well.
 
Cool looking gaddy!
Not sure what they are called, we've never killed on in AL.
Maybe Eric knows?

Most likely a mallardxgadwall cross
 
Afternoon Al,

You are a very bad person showing me that sweet looking pup. Looks like you and Bev are having fun at the Bosque.
Hope the rest of the season goes well for you and that you get some water in the ditches and river.

Dennis S.
Rio Rancho, NM
 
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