Actually it was a pileated woodpecker, not a duck. It swooped into the feeder right next to the window and caused this old man to nearly expire. I thought for sure a pteradactyl had been raised from the ashes of some long forgotten tar pit. It had a wingspan comparable to a 747 with eyes that would frighten a lesser man. They glowed fire red and he stared at me for a moment as if trying to decide if I was fit fare for his dinner menu. Scarey critter.
Deer are in abundance and deer hunters outnumber them by at least 3 to 1. Nearly every tree in the back forty has a deer stand in it and I can see from here that the deer are already making new trails in the woods so that they can stay hidden from their blood thirsty foes.
At one time, I was prone to such adventure. Each fall, my neck would swell in anticipation of the hunt. Now it has all changed. I sit in the nice warm house drinking coffee and eating liverwurst sandwiches. As soon as the hunters leave for the day, I go out and feed my pals the deer. I open the barn door open each morning and like lemmings, they all arrive back in single file to hide inside for the day. They lounge around in their jammies all day and at sunset, I go and let them out again. Hope the neighbors don't find out.
Fall fishing has been producing some nice catches. The big walleyes go on feeding binges that even exceed my own. At the bait shop, they have a notice posted of what colors baits are catching fish. On one summer trip to the lake, I had an amazing revelation of their high intelligence. As I swam along, looking at the bottom of the lake, I noticed a sign driven into the mud. I took a deep breath and swam down to read it. Yup! It was the very same notice I saw in the bait shop. I guess ya gotta get up early to fool them.
My writing has been going well with another book nearing completion. I wish they'd sell with the same speed as I write them.
Well, time to head to the barn. If I don't let the deer out, they kick up a heck of a racket.
And so from the land of tall pines and tall tales, I wish you well.
Ron
www.ronshepherd.com