Nature's AWE!

Right up front, I have to apologize. I did not get any eye candy for you to look at. I am sorry.

I sat on the middle seat of Rafe's Duck Boat as we motored across a huge, shallow lake. It was shortly after dawn and the water was glass flat. The fat, grey clouds acted as an impenetrable ceiling, but the waterfowl didn't care. As we motored across the lake, the birds lifted by the thousands. The surface of the lake shifted colors from brown to grey/blue. I noticed that I had a kid like grin on my face and no words to describe what I was looking at. I was in awe and then it got better. One whole corner of that lake was covered in Tundra Swans and they all took flight at the same time. For those of you that don't know, swans don't just leap into the air. They run on the surface of the water until they generate enough lift to take flight. Watching them sprint to take off was, again, awe inspiring, because there was, probably, 500 swans working in unison to paint an indescribable portrait of birds taking flight.

I am thankful to have seen this site. What's more is I have seen this sight several times. After I was set in my blind and I was hoping for a chance to kill one of those big, beautiful swans. If you don't understand why I want to kill a swan, Imagine this: Swans are called the turkey of the north because one bird will feed an entire family; to buy a swan to eat, from a swan farmer, will cost you about $1,000.00. ( I have 3 in my freezer); swans are very exciting to see and even more exciting to call and shoot.

The reason I have 3 swans in my freezer is because of freezer space. After a weekend of hunting, I contacted some elders I usually give game to and a single parent family I share meat with, and they have had the blessings of moose. Their freezers are full, so I will hang on to them until they are ready to eat one. I like to share as much natural protein as I can, because the spirits of the animals favor hunters who share. Then by default, my future hunts will be more productive.

CRAP! It's late! Remind me to share my near-death-by-ptarmigan story with you next time.

This is "Jerry The Magnificent"... OUT!