Tags filled quickly on Big Blue Ranch By Larry Myhre
Reprinted from the Sioux City Journal
These two jakes came running into our hen calls at the Big Blue Ranch and Lodge near
Burchard, Neb. (Journal photo by Larry Myhre)
BURCHARD, Neb. — Like so many times before, it was a gobble that first alerted us that a tom turkey was coming in.
Gary Howey motioned that the bird was downhill in front of us just in case I hadn’t heard.
I had the video camera running and began looking for the bird.
The first indication was the tip of his tail, spread in full strut, and slowly rocking back and forth as the bird stepped forward.
Then he was there, all puffed up and drumming. It was a glorious sight and one that sets a turkey hunter’s heart to pounding.
He was 15 yards out when Gary “putted” sharply on his diaphragm call to make the bird come out of strut and stick up his head.
Just like that it was over.
Less than two hours into our hunt on the Big Blue Ranch and Lodge south of Burchard, we had both filled turkey tags.
Gary, from Hartington, Neb., and I were guests of Scott Bodie and his wife Billie Kay. Their 2,000-acre working cattle ranch is the backdrop for a retreat for hunters, fishermen, horse enthusiasts, bird watchers or anyone just seeking relaxation.
Their cedar log lodge sits above a 25-acre, spring-fed pond stocked with largemouth bass, crappies, bluegills and northerns.… Continue reading
On the trail of owls in the far north By Larry Myhre
This female snowy owl was photographed at Oak
Hammock Marsh Management Area just west of
Selkirk, Manitoba. (Journal photo by Larry Myhre)
Reprinted from the Sioux City Journal.
SELKIRK, Manitoba — The big female snowy owl was perched at the top of an electrical pole as I eased the 300 mm lens out of the truck window.
The regal owl ignored us, seemingly studying the snow covered field to our right.
I pursed my lips and squeaked.
The big head swiveled to look and I pressed the shutter.
We had arrived at Stu McKay’s Cats on the Red Resort at the Lockport Dam on the Red River early that afternoon.
Stu, an avid bird and landscape photographer, suggested Fran and I head out to nearby Oak Hammock Marsh to look for snowy owls.… Continue reading
Some tips for better photographs by Larry Myhre
Low camera angle improved this photograph.
Also the deer was cleaned up, no blood, no wound showing.
Reprinted from the Sioux City Journal
It seems everyone is taking pictures these days.
Digital photography has taken a lot of the mystery out of photography and today’s point and shoot cameras are so simple to operate that they should not be intimidating to any one.
Although practically no one worries much about f stops or shutter speeds nowadays, getting a good photograph still depends upon who is pushing the button.
Since I’ve been running reader photos on these pages, it’s been longer than six years, believe it or not, I get to see a lot of efforts from amateur photographers.
Some of their “look at my fish” or “look at my deer” are pretty good, but others are not what they should be.
So, I’m going to offer some suggestions here for you to get better photos of your fish and game.… Continue reading