[Don Kaas]

Weather, the inconstant mistress of waterfowling. I expect big things in Maryland this week. My boys have been killing lots of ducks along the Chester River and the geese have been regular visitors to the fields. On my creek here, the frigid weather has moved the mallards to the deeper pools that remain open. Down along my drive where it meets the town road, a two pairs of mallards began to gather just after Christmas in a spot safe from hunters. I started, as I often have, to stop and toss out some corn into the icy riffles above the pool. 4 birds grew into a dozen in a few days. This morning I took the dogs for a early walk. It was 19 degrees. As we neared the drive's gravelled end, first 5, then 10 and finally a whole mass of ducks flushed from the hickory guarded pool. As they gathered and circled above the trees, I lost count at 32...a few blackies but almost all mallards in sparkling winter hue. Even the hens looked grand in the bright sunshine. The cocker and setter gazed skyward, the little scottie tugged as the last of the tamer stragglers sprang up to join the others. We turned around and made it the half mile home. I put the dogs in the house and took 10 pounds of whole corn down to the pool. They'll be back...