It is one of those shots I feel captures what waterfowl hunting is like much of the time.
Here you see me with a slight smile looking at a beautiful green-winged teal drake with mud all over my hands, a few spots on my face and bags under my eyes.
That is because I was operating on about four hours sleep and had just help Steve push his boat over about 400 yards of mud flats that we got stuck in due to a ripping tide and stout north wind.
No one ever said duck hunting was glamorous but for those of us who engage in it as often is possible it is always rewarding.
Love it or hate it you certainly feel alive when walking through ankle deep mud and slipping into spots up to your knees.
You can’t get that on any video game, even the duck hunting ones.
(The author bundled in his Columbia Omni-Heat jacket examines a beautiful green-winged teal drake.)
(Photo by Steve Menard)