"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
--Harold R. McAlindon
Whenever I hear this quote, I think of the Waterfowl Brigade. Last year, 2012, was the first battalion of this Brigade. The genius behind it, Tyson Hart, along with several other waterfowl experts, went where nobody had gone before. There were other Brigades, Rolling Plains and South Texas Bobwhite, North Texas and South Texas Buckskin, and Bass Brigade, about bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer, and fish, respectively and the now extinct Feathered Forces, about turkey, but nobody had stepped up to create one for waterfowl and wetland conservation.
In many ways, this camp is different from the others. For one, it is far more laid back than Rolling Plains Bobwhite, most likely the hardest one. We get a little bit of "free" time, where cadets are supposed to work on their projects, but they can take a nap or do whatever they please. The instructors aren't quite as hard on us as the RPBB ones can be. Don't get me wrong, I love both camps (in fact, I love RPBB better), but with the frantic pace information is thrown at kids in a short time, its nice to at least have a little time to unwind. For another, instead of focusing on one species and its habitat, we have many species of waterfowl and a few habitats which we have to learn. At RPBB, most of the instructors are older, but here almost all are much younger, yet another difference.
This year, I was an Assistant Flock Leader; last year, I'd been a cadet, or first-year, and after I went home, I went on to do 23 projects, such as giving presentations and creating a waterfowl plant book, to return to camp for this position. I was there to mentor my group or flock of cadets, the Northern Pintails, and help them win top flock. Unfortunately, we lost by 6 points, but as I told them, I still thought they were amazing. They were an outstanding group of 2 gals and 3 guys, with different talents and strong points. One girl painted the best duck decoy, and overall, we won top duck calling, and other honors.
Since I haven't gotten the photos from this year's camp, I wanted to share some from last year.
--Harold R. McAlindon
Whenever I hear this quote, I think of the Waterfowl Brigade. Last year, 2012, was the first battalion of this Brigade. The genius behind it, Tyson Hart, along with several other waterfowl experts, went where nobody had gone before. There were other Brigades, Rolling Plains and South Texas Bobwhite, North Texas and South Texas Buckskin, and Bass Brigade, about bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer, and fish, respectively and the now extinct Feathered Forces, about turkey, but nobody had stepped up to create one for waterfowl and wetland conservation.
In many ways, this camp is different from the others. For one, it is far more laid back than Rolling Plains Bobwhite, most likely the hardest one. We get a little bit of "free" time, where cadets are supposed to work on their projects, but they can take a nap or do whatever they please. The instructors aren't quite as hard on us as the RPBB ones can be. Don't get me wrong, I love both camps (in fact, I love RPBB better), but with the frantic pace information is thrown at kids in a short time, its nice to at least have a little time to unwind. For another, instead of focusing on one species and its habitat, we have many species of waterfowl and a few habitats which we have to learn. At RPBB, most of the instructors are older, but here almost all are much younger, yet another difference.
This year, I was an Assistant Flock Leader; last year, I'd been a cadet, or first-year, and after I went home, I went on to do 23 projects, such as giving presentations and creating a waterfowl plant book, to return to camp for this position. I was there to mentor my group or flock of cadets, the Northern Pintails, and help them win top flock. Unfortunately, we lost by 6 points, but as I told them, I still thought they were amazing. They were an outstanding group of 2 gals and 3 guys, with different talents and strong points. One girl painted the best duck decoy, and overall, we won top duck calling, and other honors.
Since I haven't gotten the photos from this year's camp, I wanted to share some from last year.
This is the property where we stayed, near Palestine, Texas. The owner, Dr. Robert McFarlane (Doc) , has a beautiful place and is definitely dedicated to waterfowl conservation.
Learning about feathers and how to ID duck wings
Launching the rocket-guided net used to capture birds for banding
Folding the net
Ducks in a swim-in trap, that we were trying to get into a carrier cage to band. Last year, my flock couldn't get the ducks even after trying for 15 or 20 minutes, but this year, my flock got them in there in about 3 minutes.
Banding a duck
Learning how to use radio telemetry to track birds
Collecting plants
Looking at aquatic invertebrates
Painting duck decoys; last year's was a Green-winged Teal; this year, I chose to do a Harlequin Duck.
My flock last year, the Green-winged Teals.
Eating a raw persimmon...ain't ever gonna do that again! That experience belongs expressly to last year; nobody was daring (or stupid enough to this year.
This year, on practically every outside fan, and in a bunch of other places, there was a Barn Swallow nest. They were all relatively big nestlings but still so cute!
What a big mouth you have!
A flock of Canada Geese hangs around Doc's property year 'round; the biggest joke in the Pintail flock was that since we were in Texas, wouldn't they be called "Texas Geese"?
Some beautiful trumpet flowers...bringing up a lot of memories
Arrowhead plant flowers
The BigWoods Lake
Quack!
I'd like to thank all of the instructors, cooks, student workers, and Doc for everything they do for this wonderful camp. It was an amazing five days and I enjoyed it a lot for the most part.
Don't be shy to ask me questions! You can read about some of my RPBB experiences here. If you're interested in attending one of these camps, you can go to www.texasbrigades.org. I want you to attend one!
Don't be shy to ask me questions! You can read about some of my RPBB experiences here. If you're interested in attending one of these camps, you can go to www.texasbrigades.org. I want you to attend one!