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Waterfowler's Morning

By JIM NIGRO

          For several minutes we sat in brushy overgrowth, listening to ducks calling in the distance and the whistling of wings as waterfowl passed overhead. With the crescent moon still in the eastern sky, the horizon below grew brighter. Soon Andy Webster, Aaron Green, John Lawrence and I were able to see myriad waterfowl passing overhead. Legal shooting time, however, was yet minutes away.

            When our watches read 7: 10 a.m. John and Aaron touched off the morning’s initial burst and three ducks fell from the sky.

John had placed us in a waterfowler’s dream. Our location couldn’t have been better. We were hunkered down on a narrow spit of land with open water to the north and south. The ducks, consisting mainly of northern shovelers and a few mallards, approached from all directions.

            As a small flock of geese came into view, John began calling. Moments later the flock flew off in disarray, minus one goose. 

          

 

           Despite what turned out to be a blue bird morning, the action never slowed down. As the sun climbed above the horizon, many made aerial maneuvers, tilting and veering as the shotguns discharged. Others seemed to make a sudden upward surge in an attempting to gain altitude. It was a tactic that worked for some, but not all.

          All too soon it was time to go. By then the ducks were no longer silhouettes. The sun was high enough to detail entire flocks of waterfowl, their breast feathers shining white against the blue morning sky.

 

Russ Stresing

Forgive my inattention: Is the John Lawrence mentioned in the post "The" John Lawrence? "The" John Lawrence who excelled as a youngster?

Oct 26, 2008, 4:16pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Russ, thank you for your comment. If you are referring to the John Lawrence who was a trap shooting All-American at the ages of 15 & 18, you're thinking of the right person.

Oct 26, 2008, 7:06pm Permalink
zeke kehlenbeck

field and stream quality is an understatement. great work jim. when are we gonna get out and expirience this together. keep up the good work. and see you soon

Oct 28, 2008, 12:00pm Permalink
Mike Jones

Great Story and Pictures Guy's!

Congrats on your success.

Aaron, hopefully you and the gang can come to the coast for a hunt.

Thanks

Mike

Oct 30, 2008, 11:09pm Permalink

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