After doing a little yard work the wife wanted to take the kids out and do some kite flying, so we headed down the road to find an open field. Just a few miles west of the house we found just the right field, or pasture. Knowing the land owner would not object we parked the car and readied the kites. After getting all the kites up in the air and sticking around to make sure everyone was having fun I headed back to the car and was pleasantly surprised to find 2 of my air rifles in the back of the Subaru.
Thinking my wife too busy giving instructions to notice me slipping away I made for some trees near where we had parked the car. I saw two Starlings sitting in the trees when we pulled in and as luck would have it they were still there. A short stalk and two carefully placed CPHPs later and I had two birds down with the B28. On my way back to the car I could hear my wife giving me what for because I snuck away. But as always she only scolded me for a second before telling me I was just a big kid that would never grow up. I replied with a few “I know you are but what am I’s†While this short discussion was taking place my attention was diverted to a flock of about 15 Eurasian Collard Doves landing across the street. This time I reached in to the car and loaded up the 350 Pro Compact. I got to about 40 yards before they spotted me and took flight. But one stayed behind just a little too long. The wind was blowing fairly well so I adjusted for wind drift and let the pellet fly. I heard the strike and saw a big puff of feathers as the bird took flight. I kept my eyes on him as he flew low across an open field before running out of life and crash landing. A short walk later and he was in hand.
When I came back home and started unloading the guns and posing the birds for a photo op I was startled be birds chirping and flying erratically out of a tree about 4 feet behind me. When I turned to see what all the commotion was this little Merlin came screaming past my head at literally only 10 inches away. He then landed on the pole near the drive way and started cussing my out for ruining his hunt. I was able to grab the camera and get a picture of him before he flew off.
