Early Morning Risers
"Always alert"
The morning frost covered the tall switch grass as the silhouettes moved silently through the cover. I was camera ready, perched 16 feet above the field that funneled the deer past my stand. The wind was gently blowing from the North, straight in my face. A mother doe and her two yearlings appeared at the woods edge, nervously looking around and behind them. It's amazing to be out there in their world, watching the interaction between them as they feed, and play. Quickly, they knew something wasn't right and slowly fed out of sight back down a ridge that led to the adjacent property. I was fully covered in Mossy Oak clothing, blending in with the tree and leaves, but still the deer couldn't pick me out. Obviously my scent had alerted them and their instincts did the rest. The sun was now rising over the horizon, bringing the new day to life. The morning fog arose off of the neighbors pond, drifting with the North wind. It was thick, and hard to see anything through it, but suddenly, a deer emerged out of the thick cover. With the sun behind it, only the silhouette could be made out. A beautiful sight to see as the deer walked back into the fog to disappear as quickly as it had appeared.
"The feild comes alive"
As the morning sun rose, the field became a living world. Chipmunks and mice would do their daily errands of gathering supplies for their dens, getting ready for the tough winter months ahead. The leaves would move and the ruffling sounds of the small rodents could be heard faintly. It was fun and entertaining to watch them do their thing, knowing they didn't have a clue that I was perched above their world. A huge gray squirrel slowly climbed the tree adjacent to my stand. Finally at eye level, he noticed the weird stranger 5 feet away. His tail started twitching back and forth, his movements became quicker, and then the barking started. He was alerting every creature in ear shot, and I knew the deer would probably never show themselves now. I finally threw my hands up and scared him down his tree, and watched him go down the same ridge as the doe and her two yearlings had previously retreated too.
"Glad to be out there"
Many of us love to be out there in the woods, enjoying the wildlife, watching their movements and interactions with each other. We enjoy hunting and managing the wildlife, and being out there with nature. It's a joy just to be out there.....being with your thoughts, and God....the bonus is when that big buck steps out when you least expect him too. Get out in the woods....you'll be better for it, and you can enjoy the beauty that is out there, even if it's just with a camera and zoom lens. Always leave the trail as you found it, or better yet, clean it up....Enjoy the outdoors, and the animals that call it their home.....Good hunting to all....
