Wednesday, January 7, 2009

A few days in the Owen's Valley

Well, the 4 days in the White Mountains were a wonderful time. I set up my trailer on a knoll along the Highway 168 (Westgard Pass) and woke each morning to a breathtaking view of the valley and the wintery Sierras. Montana is a beautiful place but the Sierras are just a lovely.

Like all of this season (and last season for that matter) the bird populations were pretty thin. That is something of a blessing though: I have done more prospecting than usual this year, locating at least a half dozen pieces of very good habitat that should hold birds when mother nature again decides to drop some rain at the right times. On this trip I found some VERY nice chukar territory that is out-of-the-way and should not get much pressure. Did not find an empty hull the whole time (except for in one "local hot spot").

I always enjoy the late season hunts, walking the cold mountains. The dogs do well in the cool breeze and I enjoy the walks and the vistas. I did get a special treat on this hunt though. As Rosie and I worked up a wide canyon she hit a stylish point. She held staunch as I approached; I killed one bird in front of her and a second as it circled around down the canyon. Both birds were stone dead and easily found. I'll remember that perfect slow-season vignet for many months.

We were camping in a small trailer and the heated "home" was welcome each night. The temperature hit single digits as I drove over Westgard Pass the last morning but the sun was out and the walking was pleasant. The dogs did enjoy the soft blankets.

Happy New Year to all - look forward to seeing you in the field next year (and hopefully once or twice before then).

Take care,

Pete.

5 comments:

mdmnm said...

Great way to wrap up your season and great photos and account. Single digits are definitely "two dog nights".

Mike Spies said...

Pete

Thanks for the report and excellent photos.

Sounds like you had a good time despite the lack of birds. Dogs are looking great!

Andrew Campbell said...

Pete:

That's gorgeous territory. Ever hike up the Onion Valley into the mountains? The Gorge has some great rock-climbing, too. And Amigos restaurant in Bishop was rather tasty, at least as I remember it.

Thanks for some nice blue-sky pictures for those of us in the grey, damp NE.

Andrew

Jon Roth said...

Wonderful photos and a great story. Thanks.

Shawn K. Wayment, DVM said...

Sounds like you found a potential honey hole!

Thanks for sharing you trip!

Shawn