Flying by the Seat of Our Plans

A student researcher that I have been working with was invited to speak at the Flyway Council meeting in Alabama and I also attended to learn about the Council.  When I saw that we'd be in Orange Beach, my gears started turning about fishing.  I watched some insightful videos from Bama Beach Bum  and geared up.  I decided that I didn't want to go all-in on the beach fishing in case we had no luck (or skill), so also brought the trusty ol' Clipper canoe. We had a long, stressful drive, but our luck turned when the hotel informed us that they had oversold street-view rooms and would have to move us to a top-floor ocean-view room.  Darn! Before each day's meetings began or after they adjourned, I sneaked out for an hour or so of fishing.  It was great just to be on the seashore again! The view from the balcony was helpful for reading the sandbars and troughs off the beach and picking out a good spot to fish. That great blue her

This post is going to be more of a photo album than a storybook.  We have been doing weekly hikes in the Shawnee to get in hiking shape and learn the local woods in advance of turkey season.  We have not seen a turkey yet (we didn't expect to), but have been noticing we are getting in better hiking shape and are finding lots of cool spots along the way.  Here is a massive pile of photos from late January until late February...