I don’t have very many regrets. One that I do have is not being able to share videos with you in the newspaper. Mr. Hogg and I have never discussed that issue, and it MIGHT be possible to include a video in the e-edition of the Great Bend Tribune. That would be a gift. I will check it out.

Mike Blair is the king of wildlife video in our part of this world. His experience in managing the equipment is excelled only by his knowledge of the huge and small parts of the natural world in which we live. The secret lives of bugs, birds, reptiles and practically everything that lives around us in Kansas are part of his life that he shares frequently on Facebook and other social media outlets. I am dumbfounded by the expanse of his knowledge and information and look forward to every “Kansas Outdoors” that he shares. Check him out—you will be amazed!

My lament is not related to the academic and intellectual part of our world. I would love to show you some of the sunsets, sunrises, surprises, and just simply amazing things that I see in my frequent outings to the Bottoms and Quivira. Here are a few of the photographs that I am posting as small examples of the beautiful stuff I see. Use your imagination and to see what I saw before and after taking these images. Sometimes that 30 minutes involved in seeing these events is overwhelming.

I love watching the geese and cranes gliding into the morning or night. Hearing their calls during their travels is a peaceful reminder of the goodness and joy of our place here in Kansas. The thousands of ducks and geese and gulls and cranes provide us with such beautiful scenes. Have you seen the Blackbirds? Check out the millions of blackbirds that make artistic forms when they do their “murmuration” where groups of birds fly in perfect formation and make sharp turns in unison. I think Starlings are the birds that perform this magic. Each bird appears to be connected to the one next to it.

It is a spectacular tight formation. When they are traveling (to or from their beds in the Bottoms) in straight lines they separate themselves to confuse predators—there are so many birds the raptors have trouble deciding who to attack.  

I have been gifted recently with a fishing trip and a huge duck/goose hunting trip with some very proficient young men that take better care of me than I ever deserve. Putting the best food on the table is a serious passion with them. Stripers, ducks, geese – all carefully cleaned and processed in preparation for the next fish fry or cookout are in the freezer. Incredible jerky created by years of trial and error to get the best flavor and texture is one of their specialty items. They work really hard and when they hunt or fish it is with purpose and intensely precise. I admire their parents for raising such gifted children – they came by it honestly.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving. Love your family and friends. Eat good food and drink appropriate amounts of good spirits. Remember our heroes and think about ways to make the next generation better in every way. I am grateful to all of you who make us what we are!

Doc

Doctor Dan Witt is a retired physician and nature enthusiast. He can be reached at danwitt01@gmail.com.