Wild geese: Solstice season

It began in September, as the aspen began to turn golden, and the change of season pushed the elk toward the rut. It continued through October, with the early teal, and the deer. With November comes too many decisions, too much open: late rifle elk, pheasant, late ducks, rutting mule deer. Now we are down to the last season: wild Canada geese over the frozen lake on the shortest days of the year. Now it's time for insulated boots, a thermos of hot coffee, a shivering dog, and listening intently for the gabble of geese carrying far on the cold air.

It's as much about listening, and waiting, as it is hunting. The hardest part is finding a place the geese are using. We're fortunate; we have hunted this lake for years. Our father was an  original member, and the club has leased the hunting rights to a place the geese will come. The rest is setting up a few decoys, and staying warm. We call the geese, but it is more of a salute to their passing than an attempt to lure them.

Frank gets impatient with the waiting. At not yet two years old, he'd  rather go chase the birds over the uplands. With goose hunting, it's long hours of waiting, punctuated with fast action all at once.

There is time for a nap, or a book...

and there are always geese to watch.

A hot lunch tastes pretty good.

And it can be illuminating to spend time meditating on the tiny scenes that spend so much time before our eyes.

The still life of the blind.

And if we're lucky, at the end of the day there are more tangible rewards: the memory of a good shot,  a good retrieve, and, best of all, a gift from Nature to grace our holiday table. The days are short, and we relish the chance to get out and be part of them.