[mobirdhunter]

Thanks for the comments. We have pretty poor internet connections, so I'm slow to post.

We finished up week one of our trip with some of the most beautiful weather we've had in years. Our first days here were 40+ degrees warmer than last year's snowy-cold deep freeze. Bird numbers are good. Checking my notes, we had a flush rate of about 3.5 birds/hour. When you consider that we spent time searching out new coverts (which just as often turned out to be poor), the flush rates don't quite reveal a clear picture of the bird numbers. Teasing out the good cover coverts results in a flush rate of over 7 birds/hour. When you consider that we walk in on a trail and then walk it back out, it makes the rate even higher if you don't count the cover you just hunted. In any event, I'm happy with 3.5 flushes/hour.

This coming week promises at least one day of rain, and shifting temperatures. We took one day off last week to try to limber up my bad back -- I'm channeling Ed Norman, I guess -- and sore legs, and will look forward to a "rain day" this coming week. The trip is about all of the experiences, and I've come to appreciate the time in the Cabin with the dogs and our excursions into the local towns as much as the actual hunting (well, almost as much).

A new gun will start the week -- need I say it will be a Parker -- and we have plans to revisit some coverts we've not seen in a while. There has been a great deal of new clearcutting in the area, a good sign for the future. Elaine and I are pondering if we'll be still able to tramp the bush when those new cuts are prime. I'm planning on it, but I never take our trips for granted and try to treat each day as the jewel it is, here with Elaine and the dogs in Cabin #6.

I hope everyone's season is starting off well.

Key to the photos:

1. One of the many marvelous things about rural America is the chance to see what her citizens are up to away from urban sprawl and clutter. We often stumble upon "country artists" far from the nearest gallery. We were fortunate enough to catch the artist here as he picked up his mail. We had a nice chat with the retired welder who lives back in the woods, enjoying life. We discussed the deer herd, the weather, out-of-state hunters...but not politics(!). Sometimes I feel like we've engaged in a civil war -- urban v. rural -- for many years. Those of us who are able to live in the country have a different point of view often times, and you seldom see it portrayed in popular media.

2. There's a lake just up from the Cabin that holds some special appeal to swans, and this year we have seen more than ever before. What you see here is only about a fifth of what the lake held this day. Quite a sight.

3. Our last hunt on Saturday was on a trail we'd not visited in many years. It is usually occupied by duck hunters, as it ends at a lake with good shore access. We did not flush many birds, but did have a great point by Aspen from which the DH did its job. When we got to the lake, we found a duck shack replete with all the trimmings -- boats, decoys, etc. I'm standing here at the hunters' landing. It kind of makes a person want to be a duck hunter to be able to hunt a place like this.

4. There's a Gordon Setter on point here, if you can see him. This bird flushed too far out and offered no shot. The birds have really learned to run as I'm sure all grouse hunters know, and getting to them in the thick cover is difficult. Just as it should be.

5. There's a magical moment after a hard frost when the Aspen drop their golden leaves. Soon they will turn brown, but for a short time, the streets of heaven, at least heaven for grouse hunters, are paved with gold.