If my memory is correct, that was/is the logo for the state of New Mexico. I remember thinking that “Land of Enchantment” would be appropriate for lots of places all over the world. I have been very fortunate to have been able to travel to a lot of them—and have some more on my bucket list. I never thought in my younger days that a wet spot in Kansas would be the poster child of my ideas about enchanted places.
This has been a very odd migration in my opinion. I didn’t see as many shore birds as I recall in previous years. I’m curious if that idea is shared by Mike Radar and Robert Penner. The Franklin gulls came through and we have had Whooping and Sandhill Cranes. Duck season has been replete with stories of fewer birds and species. I have seen lots of geese arriving and my buddies in Saskatchewan and Alberta say they are just now seeing large numbers of ducks and geese flying over them while they are bow hunting from tree stands. I suspect the warm weather has delayed some of the migration. I especially enjoy the ducks—a good duck picture is worth the trip.
The Egrets are numerous right now. The Cattle and Snowy guys have moved on, but the Great Egrets seem to be hanging for a while. If you look carefully, there is a green patch on their face indicating the breeding phase. This is the signature bird of the Audubon Society. It was nearly obliterated in the late 1800’s when the plumes were fashionable for ladies hats. They tend to breed in colonies, and were easy targets for hunters. They enjoy a protected status now, and are spreading elegant beauty across the nation. They tend to feed in the same area as the Great Blue Heron and both species are present in the Bottoms as we speak. You don’t get a lot of opportunities to see both these birds wading and feeding and just standing around waiting for a photographer or birder to show up like they are right now. Don’t miss this opportunity.
Pheasant season is open! We have more birds that in the past several years. I hope everyone got to go to one of the glorious breakfast feasts that herald opening day in most of the communities in the hunting areas. There are old and new friends at these events and it is very satisfying to take one more bite, get another cup of coffee and reminisce about previous years, great and bad shots, who is here, and who won’t be here ever again. It is often difficult to be skinny in Kansas, but it sure is happy.
Another stellar occurrence is the increase in quail population. It must be happening across the country. I read the monthly report from the Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife and they are celebrating the quail explosion. My cousins in west Texas have similar observations. Quail seem to cycle in 7 year rotations. I don’t know if that is folklore from my past or recent conversations at the Susank elevator. I’m very certain that both sources are perfectly reliable. Quail season opens next week, I think. Be sure and check before heading out—my game warden buddy is in his annual “no sleep and stay on the run” phase and gets “edgy” when it gets into the second or third week. The deer rut is on, and poachers tend to work harder in the dark of the rut. Night vision technology works both ways.
I was able to harvest a doe with my bow last week and have new jerky in the freezer. I haven’t collected any waterfowl yet—but it is on the agenda. This is a high-energy happy time in our great state!!!
Doc