I am just home (Saturday afternoon) from the hunting lease. All the animals are healthy and in good shape. The three of us never fired a shot. It was 26 Friday morning and 28 this morning. With no door on one blind and no top on another one, one must wear a lot of clothes and "rough it". So with an uneventful trip what is it worth? Every trip produces special experiences. This one was no different.
I was in the "green blind" with no door. The wind, or old age, took it off since the last trip. It was
mid afternoon and a bit warmer. Birds were active and that made it interesting for me. A Bewick's Wren flew over to the stand. He perched on the open window not three feet from my face. I froze completely still. After a moment he flew to the floor of this small blind and hopped about, one time actually walking on one of my boots. Then he flew back up to eye level. This time the poor wren realized he had been in the presence of an animal that could bring him harm(never!). He flew excitedly from the blind. What a treat! That sort of thing makes a trip worthwhile. This morning geese flew over low. They looked like greater canadas, with their necks stretched out and voices honking. Moments later a huge flock of sandhill cranes flew over, perhaps heading for the fields near Rockport. Then I saw a "flock" of Great Blue Herons.
I rarely see more than one or two together. There must have been fifteen! This is in the center of Texas near Brady and San Saba. Feeling secure all rattlers had found a hole I walked through the woods back to camp. It was a beautiful walk. The silence was shattered by a covey of quail that was almost under foot before they flew. Good heart check!
These experiences only happen when we leave the easy chair and get out and away from the people and vehicles and noise. On the way home I came through Fredericksburg. I didn't stop. Didn't want to. Couldn't have if I had tried. The sidewalks and stores were packed like I remember Saturdays in Fort Smith as a boy. I guess they were having fun, but I sure was glad I wasn't a part of it.
