Late March, made a few Mallard nest tubes. Was able to set up one nest tube. Harder than I thought it would be. Had to hold off a day or so, before putting up 2 remaining tubes. Watch my Nest Tube Video at the link on the bottom of the page.
Sorry for the lack of attention for the blog, Just taking it easy and forgot how to do this. He-He. First let me thank all of you for viewing my blog, Viewers from all around the Earth, " Thanks!!! ".
First, I'd like to thank all my viewers, I believe the site has a view from every country on Earth. I'm surprised, never thought it would happen, so thanks again and please visit again .
Duck Hunt In Hell
Been a long winter here, record cold and snow, got 4 inches / 10 cm of snow on the "Blood Moon", this years first full moon of Spring, but let's go back to September of 2013.
Here's a duck hunt video filmed on the hottest September 10th in recorded history. 96 degrees is now the current record for this day. The temperature in the Bayous of Lasalle Fish and Wildlife Area had to be +100 with 100% humidity and no wind.
The ditch I had to canoe was a mile and a half mud hole, beaver dams and food stores blocked the ditch every 30 yards, forcing me to get out and drag the canoe across knee deep muck. When this ditch is at normal fall water levels I can canoe the mile+ to the Waterfowl Resting Area in 15 min, on this day it took every bit of 2 hours. One thing for sure, I love me some duck hunting.
This video is a little long, about 25 minutes, so grab a snack, your favorite beverage and a smoke( if its ok with mama), and get a laugh with this duck hunting fool on his "Duck Hunt In Hell".
All likes and comments will be truly appreciated. Don't forget to Subscribe to my channel, Thanks Garnie.
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September 1st is opening day of the early Indiana Goose season. I am seriously psyched and will do my best to giddy-up go. The weather forecast says a high temperature of 85 degrees, that's hot, but I think I can handle it. Good Luck and Happy Hunting!
Took a short hike at Ranger's Marsh on the Little Calumet River. Warm, windy day. The marsh is dry as a bone. Water only in the Dead Cottonwood grove. The flooded wood is holding a few ducks and boy are they spooky. The first group of ducks began to get in the wind when I was 100 yards away. Group after group followed. I saw about 300 ducks catch the strong south wind for the next step north.
Drake Mallard Duck
Hen Mallard Ducks
Mallards
Mallards
Gadwall Ducks
Blue-Wing Teal
Blue-Wing Teal in dead Cottonwood Grove
Blue-Wing Teal Drake
Mink carcass
How dry is the marsh? Well, here's a photo of Mink ( Neovison vison ) jerky. A sun dried carcass of the nocturnal American Mink. Years ago, this little guy would have been worth his weight in gold.
Dry Marsh
This photo shows the condition of the marsh this spring, bone dry. Typically, there would be two foot of water covering the cattail humps.
Author
Me after a the hike. I'd like to thank you for viewing my blog. Thanks!
Spring has sprung, like or not. Watched a few hundred Sand Hill Cranes fly over Ranger's Marsh yesterday. Heading north by northwest. Lots of migratory Canada geese and ducks using the marsh, also.
Sand Hill Cranes
The Sand Hill Cranes are migrating north to their breeding grounds in Canada and the northern US.
Sand Hill Cranes over Gary, Indiana, flying north by northwest.
After watching the spring migration, I went home. While walking from the car to the house, I saw a brown comet streak through the air just outside of my fence and I hear the leaves rustling in the lot north of me. It was a Cooper's Hawk on a dinner dive. I had heard one calling a couple days, this is the first one I've seen.
Cooper's Hawk, first this year
I put down my coffee cup and unlock and load my camera. The hawk flies up and into a tree with its lunch in its talons. Whatever it's caught has a wide tail, what could it be? No squeals, so not a rodent. I've seen them catch lots of snakes but the temperature is just above freezing, too cold for snakes.
Cooper's Hawk and unknown prey
After another short flight deeper into the canopy of the oaks. The hawk kills its prey. I'm still waiting to see what the hawk has taken.
Would not believe it if I did not see it myself
The Cooper Hawk had caught a Garter Snake. In the middle of the pic above, below the large tree limb that the hawk is perched on, you can see the blueish-gray belly of the snake hanging down and curling to the left. I am wrong again, it's not too cold for the Garter Snakes to be out and about. Spring Has Sprung!
A Mute Swan attacked a man in a kayak, causing it to capsize. Once the man was free of the kayak, the attack continued. Each time he would surface, the swan would force the man underwater. The swan did not stop until it was certain the poor guy was drowned.
Mute Swans cupped and landing.
This happened at a housing project water retention pond. The man was actually the swan's "caretaker". He was using the swans to attack any Canada Geese that approach the pond. The swan species involved here is the Mute Swan(Cygnus olor). An invasive species, native to Europe and Asia. Mute swans have been used as garden pond and mote guards for countless years.
Humped, orange and black bill.
Our 30 lb, native Trumpeter Swan(Cygnus buccinator) is the largest waterfowl and will avoid contact with people and populated areas. While the Mute Swan thrives from human contact in urban areas. Swans are fascinating to watch but if you are in small watercraft, keep your distant.
Trumpeter Swan, largest waterfowl, native to North America.
If you would like to see more, visit the following links:
March 6, 2012 finds me at the marsh again for a little fresh air and exercise. The deer trails lead me across the tall grass prairie, the dead grass and phragmities runners make it a tough walk. Every step is a potential trip and near fall. Conditions are ripe for a wildfire.
This marsh has been restored after being used for agriculture. Drainage ditches section the marsh at about half mile intervals. I set up at the second section of the marsh. Here the marsh is a shallow mud flat, that dries during the summer. A flock of Canada Geese fly over, looking for a place to land.
Migratory Canada Geese
Canada Geese about to land
The shallow mud flat provides food and a resting place for the migratory waterfowl during their spring and fall migration. At this time the waterfowl that are using the marsh are Mallard and Shoveler Ducks, Canada Geese and Merganser.
Cupping Mallard Duck
Behind me in the first section of the marsh, I can hear feeding chuckles and quacks of Mallard Ducks. Being careful not to trip and fall on my face, I creep as quietly as possible to get as close as I can to the sitting ducks. Slowly I creep through the tall dry grass, pausing often and picking my next step.
Mallard Ducks Landing
Not knowing how many ducks are in front of me or when they will spook, I have no choice but to shoot through the grass and hope for a decent photo or two.
Mallard Ducks Through the Grass
At about twenty feet from the waters edge I'm spotted. The first group flushes and takes to the wind.
Hen Mallard Duck
And then another group take to flight.
Mallard Ducks
Now I'm in awe of the number of ducks I've stumbled upon in this little corner of marsh.
Mallard Ducks, Full Moon and Phragmites Grass
Two Drake and a Hen Mallard
Mallards in the Wind
Mallards Behind the Phragmites
Once they got some air beneath them, the ducks formed a loose flock.
Ducks Grouping into a Flock
The flock is composed of Mallard and Shoveler Ducks.
Had no idea I would jump so many ducks at this time.
Mallard Pair and Full Moon
This was a good walk and it ended with wonderful Full Moon in the east and a dazzling Sunset in the west.
