In a land far, far away=====this would be the state to the North of us,
which we dare not

mention here=====there is a beautiful body of water aptly named "Silver
Lake".

Thousands of ducks and geese visit the lake on their yearly migrations. This
year we had a

rare  visitor from the South, a native of Texas and Florida, the Black
Bellied Whistling Duck.

An ardent wildlife photographer, I made the trek North four times attempting
to spot the

Illusive duck among  the thousands of other wildfowl on the lake being
successful only

once and getting a shot of the duck sitting on the shore.

     On my fifth visit with a fellow photographer we cruised around the lake
several times

finally  spotting the duck taking a "nap" on shore with its head tucked in
it's wing. We waited

a few minutes hoping it would awake and move about, no such luck.  As we
were about to

leave a van pulled up behind us and a lady approached our car,  noticing the
two bazookas

protruding out the car windows, she inquired, " are you looking for the
Whistling Duck?"

 we replied yes we found it,  but it was napping and a good photograph
seemed improbable.

   The little old lady then said I'm going over to the other side of the
lake where the turnoff is

located and spread some corn out for "Harry" and he will come right over so
you can photograph

him there if you like, he will be the first one there and the last one to
leave.

     I looked at Eric and thought "Yeah right" this rare duck is just gonna
instantly

awake and fly over to the other side of the lake so we can photograph it
-----

anybody want to buy my GM stock???--- well  we thought what the heck we're
not

getting anywhere here.  So we go over and park in the pull off, set up our
equipment

against a backdrop of tall shrubs and wait for the little old lady who
proceeds to the

Lake shore throwing  corn around and calling "Here Harry", "Come on Harry"

In about 5 seconds flat here comes "Harry" barreling across the lake at mock
3

whistling as he flies following by about a Gazillion Mallards ===i.e. that's
Eastern Shore lingo

for several hundred===like a general leading the charge he alights 30 feet
in front of us and

proceeds to feast on the corn while we get a few shots , but alas he is
immediately surrounded by

the gazillion mallards and lost in the crowd.  So we wait patiently while
the ducks feed getting

a somewhat crowded shot of "Harry" once in a while and not wanting to move
and startle

the flock.  First 6-10 ducks flew off then 50 then the rest except for one
lone duck

the illustrious "Harry" who had his fill and is parading around back and
forth to the

shoreline posing first left then right as if to say "be sure to get my best
side" then taking off

to resume his nap on the opposite shore.

     I went over the the van and thanked the lady for sharing "Harry" with
us and the opportunity

to get some great photos, she showed me her point and shoot camera and said
she wasn't

able to get any good photos of "Harry" with it. I told her to write down her
name and address

And I would send her a 8x10 Glossy of "Harry" in all his glory!!!

     Moral of the story "never underestimate the power of a little old
lady"!!!

Photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/larry_hitchens