Some Days You Just Need To See Birds Fly

'Nuff said.

 

Bluebird Skies

Bluebird skies dawning at Silver Creek


Success for Bob and Adam Rutkowski of Team SILO despite the bluebird skies
Both limited out on scaup - giving the pups Nes and Piper their wish - ducks to retrieve!

The endless days of bluebird skies, high pressure systems, and failure of migratory waterfowl to have an early entrance to the Southern Zone has made for some tough waterfowl hunting in Southern Illinois so far this season. The conversation among waterfowlers seems to always begin with - "you even seeing birds yet?"
There have been small numbers taken, but nothing in comparision to what we will see soon.
Just this morning as I listened to the weather forecast, for snow, dropping temps, and reports of northern and western storms, I felt my heart sing - Bad weather is good for the ducks ! Bring on the cold drizzle, low lying clouds, and spits of snow and bring on the ducks!

My best pals and pit buddies Adam and Piper.

Adam coming back from chasing down a cripple that needed dispatched.

Adam and Piper - Ever vigilant Piper, a quivering mass of lab pup just waiting to hear "dead duck down!" her command to launch.

I've fallen behind!

Not even a week into this and already I have fallen behind with the daily posts. It seems my days are filled to the brim with photo opportunities and assignments. I begin before daylight and often am still shooting as the last rays of the sun set. No problem getting a photo accomplished each day.. just a little snafu here and there getting them posted daily!

Thursday January 8 had me yet once gain chasing waterfowl around the various lakes, river bottoms and potholes in Southern Illinois. This lovely Canada Goose seemed to pose for Thursday afternoon.. and I was tickled when I downloaded the image and realized that not only had I captured his smirky smile but that little drop of water from his bill bouncing into the lake!


The deer rut seems to be over, the big bruiser bucks are no longer chasing the does, and are staying hidden until just at sunset or after and are much more wary and back to hiding in the thickets. The does are feeling safer these days and coming out to the fields each evening just as sunset draws near. This group was spotted at the edge of the tree line in a field in Randolph County

Friday January 9 brought a long day in the field from before sun up until past sunset. I had several request from some of my customers for "ducks in the timber" . Water fowl hunting in Southern Illinois often takes place in flooded timber and river bottoms. So off I went at dawn.. in search of "ducks in timber".

The early morning sky above was once again a wonderous winter sight as I headed out on yet a migratory winter bird trip. I encountered a nice group of canvasbacks at the Union County Refuge .

While talking with the various duck hunters, goose hunters and waterfowl fans along the way I learned that Horsehoe Lake was holding good numbers of mallards in the timbers.. so onward I pressed.. still in search of "ducks in timber" . I was rewarded with some exceptionally beautiful vistas and yes! Ducks in the timber!