I shot a photo of geese on the Izembek Lagoon in the Fall. My comment at that time was, "There are many times more geese on the water than in the air!" Gee, what an understatement! In addition to the ones in the air, the spots on the water are geese!

HUNTERS NIGHTMARE

One day that October of 1970, I was invited to hunt geese with a few of the other men stationed at the Site. I had never been on a goose hunt, so I decided to go with the group just as an observer. We hopped into one of the pickups and drove toward town on the main road. Soon the truck stopped, and we all jumped out. Those doing the hunting grabbed their shotguns from the bed and we were soon walking through the tundra. Where we were headed, I didn't know. Before long, one of the hunters started talking loudly to anyone who would listen. The fact that he wouldn't be silent irritated me. I knew by then that these geese reacted to even the slightest sound. Then, after throwing his shotgun over his shoulder, this noisy guy started turning back and forth as he talked... with the barrel swinging one way and then another right at the rest of us. I had enough, told them I was not staying, and walked back to the truck. There, I sat and patiently awaited their return. Fortunately, when they returned no one was hurt. Nevertheless, my fear of being shot was real that day!