The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-06-21

~ ~ ME u1OT6 IOuuU myScu III
Newfoundland watching from
my blind for the elusive carl
" bou The day before yester
day, while padding up the
river, saw several small lots of carl
bou; and this morning, while cooking
my solitary breakfast, herd of fif-
teen swan across the river and land
ed on the bank directly opposite my
camp; so it looks as though the mi
grafton, for. which have long waited,
has really begun, writes A. Radcliffe
Dugmore in Country Life. Yesterday
l repaired the blinds, which l have
used each year, and built couple of
new ones on very promising leads. SO
feel that am ready for my friends
when they come. My blind, or gaze,
as the Observation-Disclosures call it, is a
simple affair composed of about a
dozen small fir trees stuck securely
into the bog, arranged in a circle, open
at the southern end On the north
side facing the leads the branches are
cut away, leaving an opening through
which the camera protrudes. The Sc
lection of desirable site for the blind
is of the greatest Importance; it
should control as many leads as pos
sible, the prevailing direction of the
wind must be considered, the sun
must be from the back, the back
ground should compose well, and
there should be no distractions in
nd
everything should be arranged so that
no dry twigs will rub against ones
clothing, for the slightest noise may
cause the loss of a picture. A number
of well-worn leads or paths pass on
each side Of the blind, l have made,
some only few feet away. others two
or three hundred feet. ALI the con-
ditions are such that II the caribou
come l should be almost certain to
get pictures.
The day wears on, but not caribou
comes. have been doing some
sketching, but the cold wind makes
the work very trying. The afternoon
is particularly dark and unpleasant.
and as it Is nearly four o'clock will
head for camp without having used
single plate. On my way down the
river two small herds crossed far
ahead Of me.
In a New Blind.
Another day. Since. eight o'clock
this morning l have been in the same
blind, but without accomplishing any
thing. In the distance have heard
the splashing Of animals crossing the
river; why it is none comes along
these fine leads is difficult to under
stand. Before returning to my camp
/ shall examine the banks and find
out what leads are being used. Yes
terday's search showed that the carl
bou are using the leads below my
camp, quite number having crossed
the river during the past few days;
so this morning finds me in a new
blind on the south side of the river.
Unfortunately, the wind is blowing so
hard that it is impossible to hear any
animals entering the water. There
fore it Is all the more necessary that
I keep my eyes opened. For two
hours / have been waiting and my
hands and feet are becoming numb,
SO must get up and start the blood
circulating; but wait! there is q carl
bou. 1t proved to be only doe and
her fawn, beautiful pair, almost en-
tirely clothed in their winter coat of
silvery white. They came along at a
quick walk heading directly toward
me, closer and closer until within forty
feet or so. Owing to the lack Of light
It was impossible to make picture
Of them walking, so that, as soon as
everything was ready l gave sudden
shout They stopped Immediately.
and as they looked about with sur
prised expression the shutter clicked
with noise that revealed my position
and of the pair went at full gallop.
This little excitement helped to warm,
me up; but the cold is getting more
and more intense and the sky be-
comes still more heavily obscured
with cold, lead-colored clouds. Bad
weather is coming, without doubt. II
only it would snow there would be no
lack Of caribou Even while l am
writing occasional snowfakes fly past.
singing my face. Further writing is
impossible today. At intervals during
the night flurries Of hard snow blew
against my tent, yet all together
there was scarcely enough to whiten
the ground.
Good Chance With Camera.
The day broke dull and gray. but
before niue o'clock the sun came out.
Now II the caribou would only come.
The light Is good and there is little
wind, 90 that any animals crossing the
river can be easily heard. Suddenly
the stiffness Of the morning was brok-
- IN raDsated sounds of: snlashina