Aldo Leopold on duck hunting

[goblueM]

"To arrive too early in the marsh is an adventure in pure listening; the ear roams at will among the noises of the night, without let or hindrance from hand or eye. When you hear a mallard being audibly enthusiastic about his soup, you are free to picture a score guzzling among the duckweeds. When one widgeon squeals, you may postulate a squadron without fear of visual contradiction. When a flock of bluebills, pitching pondward, tears the dark silk of heaven in one long rending nose-dive, you catch your breath at the sound, but there is nothing to see except stars. This same performance, in daytime, would have to be looked at, shot at, missed, and then hurriedly fitted with an alibi. Nor could daylight add anything to your mind's eye picture of quivering wings, ripping the firmament neatly into halves. The hour of listening ends when the fowl depart on muted wings for wider safer waters, each flock a blur against the graying east. Like many another treaty of restraint, the pre-dawn pact lasts only as long as darkness humbles the arrogant."

I think Aldo and I would have gotten on famously.

[creepworm]

One of the greatest conservationists ever to live. I wish everyone had to read "A Sand County Almanac" before they could hunt.

[fishersofmen]

Does that come in english??

Good stuff!!