The first weekend in September is traditionally the opening of dove season in Arkansas. I haven't hunted the past couple of years and the last time I did it was right here at our house. This year my husband, his brother, and I decided to drive over to the Mississippi River Delta to hunt. Legal shooting begins a half hour before sunrise, so we began our journey in the dark.
As we drove through the night, I gazed up at Orion (my favorite constellation) thinking how glad I am that I live in the country. I don't believe I could be happy again in town where the lights dim the stars. The faintest hint of daylight was appearing just as we reached my favorite part of the drive... where the Delta begins. It's a noticeable change in topography as the forest gives way to flat farmland.
I was glad I had the sense to take a long-sleeved shirt as there was a definite nip in the air. Perhaps Fall isn't far off! Overall, it was a fun morning. We've definitely had better hunts, but still got enough for a few meals. I'll be honest... as much as I enjoy hunting, I'm getting pretty soft-hearted in my old age. There were moments when I was torn between shooting with my gun or with my camera. Here are a few offerings from the latter. Click on them for a larger view. Don't worry, no dove pictures.
As we drove through the night, I gazed up at Orion (my favorite constellation) thinking how glad I am that I live in the country. I don't believe I could be happy again in town where the lights dim the stars. The faintest hint of daylight was appearing just as we reached my favorite part of the drive... where the Delta begins. It's a noticeable change in topography as the forest gives way to flat farmland.
I was glad I had the sense to take a long-sleeved shirt as there was a definite nip in the air. Perhaps Fall isn't far off! Overall, it was a fun morning. We've definitely had better hunts, but still got enough for a few meals. I'll be honest... as much as I enjoy hunting, I'm getting pretty soft-hearted in my old age. There were moments when I was torn between shooting with my gun or with my camera. Here are a few offerings from the latter. Click on them for a larger view. Don't worry, no dove pictures.
One of several nests I saw.
The sun had not broken the horizon at this point.
The sun rose quickly behind the grain bins.
While watching for dove I photographed some of the farm equipment.
A massive track hoe!
We have loads of dragonflies around our house, but the ones in the Delta put ours to shame! Veritable B-52 Bombers!!
Theirs may be larger, but ours are prettier.
Isn't this beautiful rice?!
The sun had not broken the horizon at this point.
The sun rose quickly behind the grain bins.
While watching for dove I photographed some of the farm equipment.
A massive track hoe!
We have loads of dragonflies around our house, but the ones in the Delta put ours to shame! Veritable B-52 Bombers!!
Theirs may be larger, but ours are prettier.
Isn't this beautiful rice?!
12 comments:
Wyoming kept talking about operating a track hoe. Now I know what it looks like.
Oh, I am glad you also brought your camera.
And I am absolutely sure our dragonflies are much larger than when I was a child. Funny, because everything else seems to be smaller today. We probably import them from Mississippi nowadays ;D
Jen - My husband loves to use equipment like that. Maybe it's a guy thing?
Dorte - Perhaps your dragonflies have "mutated" into something bigger. That could add a horror element to one of your crime stories! (but only if they were involved in the murder)
DRAGONFLY! What a BIG dragonfly. Makes me want to go dragonfly hunting up north. LOL! I love your photos. Ray and I are still hoping to make a drip to the "Shack Up Inn" near Oxford before the years end and I'll get to experience North Mississippi again.
Doesn't everyone know that Dragonflies used to have 3 feet wide wingspans in prehistoric times? Yes, our dragonflies are teeny-tiny compared to the Stone Age ones.
We got a taste of cool air this morning, too. It was blissful! Love & Blessings!!
Love the photos!!! Sad for the little doves. Good thing I didn't read this while on the patio where my own doves munch! LOL!
Rice! It's quite evident we live in different parts of the ag world! Here it is corn and soybeans. Love the dragonfly photo...bautiful creatures!
I don't know about you shooting any doves but you certainly shot some wonderful photos (yes I know, I groaned at my obvious pun as well) - I especially loved the third one down with all that farm equipment, it somehow reminded me of a film set in the future when all such things are redundant.
As a kid I thought that Orion/O'Ryan was named after an Irishperson.
When I was working in landscaping I could sweep pennies with the bucket of what you call a back-hoe. And I'm not bullshitting, I can sculpt with that thing.
Lovely photos ... and such a different way of life from what I'm used to. Nice to learn more about your life in the country! (And thanks for no dove photos!)
Marion - I ALWAYS think of you when I see a dragonfly!
Pamel - You might cringe at shooting dove, but I don't hear any complaints when it's ducks (and you get some to eat!).
WhiteStone - We do grow soybeans and corn, too, along with cotton. All depends on the type soil, etc. Our corn is harvested as grain, not still on the cob. How all that reaping equipment works just amazes me!
Tracy - That did have kind of an eerie quality to it which is why I was drawn to photograph it.
Vince - I don't doubt you at all. There's a real art to using one of those things.
Jenners - You're welcome on the dove photos.
:)
Great narrative and photos! Lots of familiar looking icons!
Love your pics. Especially the tractor hoe. And the dragonfly that looks like a bird. Or a bomber!
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