Yes, I am fortunate. I HAVE a job. Not only that, it is a job with many opportunities to shine, to have contact with many wonderful people, and to see the outdoors every day. It also reminds me daily that I am not in the woods this year. I am usually gone for three weeks, returning in late November smelling of woodsmoke and full of images of foggy mountain mornings, snow, and fleeting glimpses of a life long ago and in-your-face real.
Yesterday was a case in point. I had Tuesday and Wednesday off, but with the leaves so dry, and the WMA full of holiday smokepolers, this groundhunter decided to stay home instead of hunting. Wednesday was overcast and cool, but the leaves were so crunchy...I took some shafts and two fletching jigs and the dog over to the archery club. Leaves were about a foot deep between the parking lot and the clubhouse. As I fluffled through them, I couldn't even hear myself think over the racket. I saw white flickers out back of the practice butts as the resident deer fled from the frightful noise.
I quickly got the woodstove lit, and the red oak's fragrant smoke began to calm my nerves as the coffee brewed. I was soon lost in the measuring and cutting of fletches, running beadlines and making sure that the clamps laid the quills smooth to the shafts. I worked slowly, enjoying the fact that much unlike a day at work, I could take my time and fuss over the little details without worrying about evaluated hours or beating the rush hour home.
It was almost dark when I got done finishing off the newly burned fletches, the drops of glue fore and aft drying as I aired out the clubroom. I realized that I had not shot any of my own arrows that I had brought along, so I took some out with my bow, leaving the dog in the clubhouse.
As I made my way toward the broadhead targets, I heard the buck grunt, and squatted to watch. Dimly I saw them in the darkening woods. A misty rain was falling, and the shadowy forms of four deer walked slowly across the finger of ridge toward the draw. Oh well. I figured that they would be moving all day, and they did, and now with a cold dark and rainy night ahead, they were getting their yayas out while they could.
I shot six arrows, and headed back, mission accomplished. Gotta get home and get ready for work in the morning.
Killdeer
It had rained pretty good all night, and a fresh, cool, damp day greeted me. What a perfect day to hunt, I thought as I dumped my stuff into the truck and started off to work.
I made pretty good time, and got the mail up and pulled down, and headed out to deliver it. My route is pretty mundane now, as the developers have been taking real pretty places full of things to look at and replacing them with buildings and parking lots. The last section, though, I call my dessert. It is sweet, lots of trees and fields, and always something to see. And I saw plenty yesterday. You see, yesterday would have been just as terrific a hunting day as today was. And I saw more today. But, there I go getting ahead of myself.
Yesterday, I saw a cliché. I wager a few of you, well, more than a few of you have seen one too. They don't all look alike, but you know one when you see one.
Here's mine:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Deer/Cliche640.jpg)
Killdeer :rolleyes:
That is an incredible picture Killie and your writing always amazes me!
Gotta love it! :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
You got a way with words and images that always delights me. Thanks again
I was tooling down the one short stretch of gravel road that I deliver on, and caught a glimpse of deer in a field ahead. OBOY! I thought. Then from a cross street in this lonely backwater, came a utility truck and it turned onto the road ahead of me. The deer spooked, and the three guys and their truck parked in the cul-de-sac that I use as a turnaround. Fortunately, all was not lost as they took my gentle cue and stayed by their truck (they were pulling on coveralls) as I pulled up and took three pictures before the camera complained of feeling too full.
This was the tender scene that I was presented with, and it is just as trite as the one above. I would enjoy it as a painting, though, if I didn't have the nagging fear that someone, somewhere, is mass producing identical scenes on velvet.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Deer/th_ClicheEntirity.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Deer/ClicheEntirity.jpg)
Killdeer :eek:
Too cool.
All to common a scene. Perhaps the owner gives permission to folks who might go Postal, err, I mean Postal Employees.
Isn't she beautiful? He certainly thinks so! And so, I took one shot just of her, his reason for being.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Deer/RaisonDEtre.jpg)
But today, today was an even better day to hunt, with a misty rain persisting, temps comfortably in the fifties, and does leading merry chases all over creation. How do I know this? Well, today I saw more, and bigger bucks. While I was delivering the ferschluggenen mail. :mad:
I hope these people know exactly what I am sacrificing in order to bring them their Pottery Barn Babies catalogs!
So...I guess you want to see today's pics. I'd love to post them, but I gotta go to bed. I have to get up early, because tomorrow is SATURDAY!!!!
And I have to deliver the mail.
I will be done sometime in the afternoon, and will likely get to editing and uploading tomorrow evening.
Killdeer :banghead:
I feel for you,I'm doing a draw hunt were there
is more private land then public unless your
pockets run deep.
BILLY
:campfire:
David
Killdeer your words and pictures are amazing Thanks for posting
Glenn
That second picture with the two deer and fall colors is absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing! :thumbsup:
Killdeer your words and pictures are amazing Thanks for posting
Glenn
Thanks for the words...you make your job fun...
Nice pics Kathy, You are going out on Sun? :jumper: right
Very impressive! That is a sight to behold, and you caught it on film...er....pixels. Great job. Im sure you could sell either of those pictures. Truly amazing.
Now I know why my mailbox used to get hit. On the job frustrations. Nice pictures and story Killie.
Your words lead to deep thoughts. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and pictures.
Another enchanting story Kathy. You've taken a mundane day at work and turned it into an adventure! Thank you!
Killdeer - thanks for sharing the joys you found even though you were on the job. My heart goes out to you and I hope you find a few off days to spend in the woods. I was driving home from work yesterday afternoon thinking how nice it would be to "take a few weeks off and hunt just like Killdeer does every November". Sorry that it didn't come together for you this year.
Looking forward to more pics when you get a chance.
I'll be here... (http://i316.photobucket.com/albums/mm337/smonte_2008/DSC01300.jpg)
and here.. (http://i316.photobucket.com/albums/mm337/smonte_2008/DSC01298.jpg)
and here.. (http://i316.photobucket.com/albums/mm337/smonte_2008/DSC01306.jpg)
:bigsmyl:
Shawn...
Thank you Kathy; I was in the midst of a mini 'fit of frustration' just now and popped open your thread. The thoughts and pictured just took me away-the buck and the no hunting sign are particularly amusing.
Killie, Thank you so very much! You brightened such a dim and dreary day.
As always you made my thoughts and spirit soar! Thak you!
JAG/Johnny
Killie, You can make a cloudy day a sunny one just by your posts here on TradGang...I appreciate what you give us here and Thanks for sharing those pics ...God Bless, Keefers <")))><
Waiting to see todays mail journey. Killie very nice
Thanks for a great story and some pictures that define some of the frustration of living in modern times. Hope you can find a buck on the 'right' side of the fence in the future. :thumbsup:
Very nice way to start my day today. Thank you!
So did you give Bill Brockett a call to gain permission?
Nice photos, nature's beauty at its best!!! ron w
thanks for the pics! :wavey:
Great stories and pics! Thanks for sharin!! :campfire:
Killie....you've got no heavy brush down there that those smoke-polers won't go in? Nice writing and photos as usual.
hey Kathy thanks for the story. I really missed you in camp this year up at Rough Mountain. now hurry up and get that dang mail delivered, i need my cabela's catalog so i can christmas shop.... jk of course... get in the woods every chance you get.
ps.. from 1 photog to another awesome pics!
Killdeer I have said it before and will say it again, "you are my hero" I want to be just like you when I grow up. Beautiful story.
Killdeer, this one was on the right side of the fence this morning, but I have already filled my buck tag. Watched him chase does for about 40 minutes. A good morning!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/ceastes/P1010907.jpg)
allways a real treasure, your photos and writtings are like the mornings first cup of :coffee:
The larger pic with the buck and the doe is now my wallpaper....
Great pics and story!
its pic's and writtings like Killys that really inspire me, can't say enough about the talent on here. now if Killy and Gerorge Stout could team up on a photo/story book look out!! :readit: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Thanks Killie, always a treat to read your threads. Oh and thanks for the new desktop pics too,
AK.
Very cool shots and nice words.
How come you're not making your annual trek to the mountains?
Great stories and Pics. You've made my day. At least you are able see such wonders while on the job.
The best I have ever had was watching the deer come out into the soybean field, across the road from our construction site, during the middle of the summer.
bhfp
I love your photography and writing Killdeer.
KD -- So, you're a "fe-mailman." I did that for a year or so, right after the Marines. It was the only job I've ever quit in anger: no respect for the union or management. But that was then (1974) and there (SoCal), and if I'd stuck with it I could have retired years ago and gone hunting full-time. You sure are good with a camera. Call in sick. Go huntin'. D
No, not a fee-mailman, a mailma'am!
My old eyes are getting worse every year. Can you tell me what this is?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Deer/Img_0851Nov142008.jpg)
Evidently my camera was rather taken with the foreground, and so the branches nearby held its attention while the drab background got "posterized" and soft. Grabbing it about the neck and shaking vigorously, and no doubt accidentally taking the camera off of Macro mode in the process, I tried again.
Dang it, I started in the middle.
This is the day after taking the cliché pics I started out with. Sodden, cool, the kind of day that the office folks call dreary, but one that kindles joy in my heart. The cool moist air is refreshing on my face, the leaves silent to the step. The deer expect us to leave the woods to them alone, and they wander with a bit more abandon.
Makes me yearn for a fireplace at home, and a few weeks to hunt the deer! The window is open, binoculars and camera handy. The autumn breeze brings the rich smell of fallen, soaking leaves, nuts and soft mast rotting in their depths. There is a muskiness that reminds me of mushrooms, and the smells of pillbugs and earthworms. I can't wait for dessert...my quarter-mile stretch of gravel road. Finally! I'm here! And the utility truck is not!
And then I hit the stupid macro button by mistake when I pick up the camera. You guys were really hoping for a decent pic, weren't you? And I mess it up like that. Total bummer on this end, too.
These deer were about 250 yards off, across a field. I had to crop the pic severely. Sorry.
Killdeer :(
But I did get these...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Deer/Img_0855Nov142008.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Deer/Img_0854Nov142008.jpg)
I hadn't even noticed the bedded buck on the right, until my main focus started toward him and prompted him to rise.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Deer/th_Img_0856Nov142008.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Deer/Img_0856Nov142008.jpg)
But he was just a little guy, anyway. ;)
Killdeer
I'll have to wait till I get home to view the picture, the "Net Nanny" here at my job won't let them show... :(
As usual your writing helps to cheer a fellow when he is down...
Thanks Killdeer. :thumbsup:
Drive safe, Paul. You'll like these.
Killdeer :D
Being homebound this hunting season I really enjoy reading about everyone's adventures. Thanks for sharing Killdeer, your pics and prose always brighten my day.
Thanks Killdeer for the photos and words.
I was going hunting with friends in LBL KY (Thurs p.m to Mon a.m.)but deciced to get the flu instead. Gave it to my wife too.
Makes me feel a little guilty.
You didn't give it to her, she stole it from you. Feel better?
Killdeer :biglaugh:
Thanks,
I needed that!!
Killie it's a lil off topic forgive me but what kinda camera are you using?
I have a pretty nice point and shoot style but it focuses on foreground at inopportune times like yours did. And the more I zoom the blurry-er it gets.
For those beautiful pics you took did you have an SLR? Do you use a tripod? My camera is pretty decent but your best photos could be in a magazine.
You gots a PM, Pygmalion.
Killdeer
as always killie awesome!!!!
Ahhhhhh! They are some kinda nice pics.You really know how to enjoy what youve got before you.I have a hard time leaving the house without a bow or gun this time of year except for work but I guess I would if I thought I could shoot something like that with the Kodak.
Izzy
The drag is much lighter that way!
Killdeer ;)
Hey Killdeer.. What type of camera are you using. That depth of field in your first picture is awesome. Thanks for sharing. Jeff
Great depth of field would be having the branches and the deer both in focus. As the deer is about 250 yards away, i don't think that will happen any time soon.
I am wowed by the camera, though. It is a Canon G9, and has way more features than I am smart enough to learn. I really want to get a DSLR, but keep putting it off. Right now I could buy one, but the money is earmarked for a Centaur in May. Gotta keep my priorities straight!
Killdeer :goldtooth:
Thanks Killy.. My priority is a 3-pc Schafer longbow due in May. But, my wife wants to hunt with a camera. So, I'm in the market for a Xmas present. Circuit City may have the (Going out of buisness) answer. :thumbsup: Jeff
Thanks Killdeer...
I think you should spend some time compiling your writings and pictures and put them into a book or two for all the world to see and enjoy as we do here. You are a treasure to all of us. You can take what we might see as ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary. I picture a person in a comfy chair, in front of cozy fire, in a mountain cabin, with a misty rain falling outside the picture window, a cup of hot cocoa on a stand beside the chair and your book of nature scenes and fertile writings in the hand of a person in a pensive mood.
The really good part is I picture you living off the proceeds while you are in the "field" gathering material for your next book.
"The Nutty Pine"
I think that a collection of Killdeers' musings would be a great thing to have around...
BTW, Great pictures and prose as usual... :thumbsup:
Killdeer, So many people have already said what a treasure to all of us. Just add me to the list. John AKA Brokenwing
Great photos Killie. I also love the way you tell of the experience. :thumbsup: :campfire:
Wow! It is just calming to look at those photos.
Wonderful job.
Chris
Thanks Killdeer for the stories and pics, and of course the mail. The highlight of my mother in laws day is when someone like you shows up!
Killie, you get to see so much up close that I only see from the interstate at 60+.....
It would make me jealous, except that; you are so willing and capable of sharing.
I'd tell you how grateful we all are to have you amongst us, if they hadn't already swelled your head. ;)
Thank You and do at least, consider a compilation.