MARCH 2016 • NEBRASKAland 5
Kirk Noller's trail cam photo of a mangy coyote and turkey in the
background was taken about 10 miles northeast of Kearney.
MadiLou Kish caught this otter wriggling out of a pond in North
Shore at Lake McConaughy.
The Start of Something Special
This photo was taken on the South Platte River near
Brule on the opening day of duck season this fall. I took
my 5-year-old grandson Andrew Salomon to the duck
blind and he helped put out duck decoys and even blew
my call. The two of us had a great morning even if we
didn't get a duck. The hot chocolate and donuts helped
to pass the time.
When I asked him if he was having a good time he
gave me the two thumbs up sign – just doesn't get much
better than that!
John Frates
Brule, Nebraska
A Hunter's Farewell
Many times we hunted,
you and I and the dogs,
through the corn fields, marshes, sandhills
and rivers of the plains.
It never mattered, you know,
what if any game we claimed.
It was always the adventure,
the fellowship, the friendship.
Now you will go without me I think,
but I worry not for I will follow
sooner or later on that same path,
and all in good time.
As you go, I wish you this:
your best dog at your side,
the sun at your back and a fresh skiff
of snow under your feet.
I trust the dogs and old friends
will greet you at the end of the corn row,
and expect you will meet me
when I finish the hunt.
By C.R. Sadler, of Lincoln, for friend
Jon Welty, who passed away Thanksgiving
Day, 2015.
Leon Gillespie captured this trail camera photograph of a tom
turkey eight miles south of Broadwater.
