| Summary: | Companionship, Swapping Tales and Great Memories By Patricia Stockdill It's the dog. It's the tranquility of a cattail marsh at sunrise; the dog quivering in anticipation as ducks, the marsh and surrounding world slowly awaken with a rising sun. A shorebird flits nearby. But it is distant cackle of a pheasant that temporarily distracts hunter and the quivering companion. It's the prairie; the dog intensely combing every speck of cover, freezing on point at the instinctive knowledge that a pheasant or grouse lies ahead. But that point also means "heart-in-your-throat" anticipation of when or where the bird will decide to rise into the air with a flurry of wing beats. The dog looks at you in bewilderment, not understanding that hens are taboo among pheasant hunters, as it flies into the distance with nary a fired shot. But, oh, to miss a rooster: the look turns to one of disappointment if denied an opportunity to bring a downed bird to its masterful hunter. It's the open field; the dog lying at your side on cold, frozen earth as you marvel at the sight of a magnificent giant Canada goose, wings set and eyes focused on landing in a snow-laden stubble field. It's the vivid tones of fall: deep chocolate and subtle browns tinged with a kaleidoscope of maple, orange, crimson red and yellow. These are the hues of grasses and plants belonging to the prairie, fields and marshes. It spans warm - no, the hot, days of late summer - before transcending to cool, crisp mornings and brisk days. Those are the kind of days when a nice, long walk helps to keep the chill away. Much to the dog's chagrin, a reprieve is in order when thoughts shift to four-legged creatures and venison for the family. But thankfully, the joy returns in time to soak up the last remaining days and weeks. Winter starts to grip the countryside but there is still fleeting time to take to the field. The challenges are intensified - cold and snow - but time is so fleeting that one must take advantage of every opportunity because before one realizes it, time is gone for another year. Chapter One - North Dakota's Eco-tourism & Recreational Opportunities 53
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