Nice day, for a duck!

While local growers are pleased by the heavy rains we received over the weekend, the duck hunters are downright ecstatic! One of our hunting “clients” stopped by last night to chat and check out how quickly the water level on the lake was rising after eight-plus inches of rainfall. He was pleased by what he saw; ditches, gullies and tributaries leading into the 660-acre waterfowl haven all were gushing with runoff.

With fall approaching, it’s a good development for a popular duck-stop along the Midwestern migratory flyway. The large puddle that chills our breezes and gives us breathtaking sunsets is a popular playground for hundreds of ducks, geese, egrets, herons and pelicans all making their way to warmer climes before winter. Of course, their stop-over is nicely timed to the Minnesota firearms season, making Four Cedars Farms a less-than ideal place to be in October if you like to sleep late.

Shooting begins one half hour before sunrise and can last until sunset; but with waterfowl numbers high, it never takes that long for a hunter to bag his limit. With the drought this year, things might have been different. Waterfowl populations have been dropping and by mid-July, I worried the little lake might simply disappear from the landscape. As a consequence to a falling lake level, it’s been quiet near the water; I admit I have missed the duck chatter that used to greet me whenever I’d stroll over to the shoreline.

In that regard, I too am pleased for ample rain. It’s been good for the farmers, good for the hunters and good for the ducks. Quack!