¡muchos cartuchos, muchos patos, muchas memorias

[Ramsey Russell]

The settings...
http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16436.jpg

http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16425.jpg

http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16497.jpg

Water was slim: What water had not evaporated was being pulled off to get the fields prepared for planting. We hunted ditches, rice field swags, creeks and stock tanks. First hunt I said you’ve got to be kidding me. Afterwards I just loaded the gun and letting the rest take care of itself.
http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16496.jpg

Got into a bunch of white faced tree ducks (high fliers also called cee-dee-cee because of their distinctive call) the first morning. They were coming in low to the hole before sun up
http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16489.jpg

One of my favorite mornings, lots of rosybills...
http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16522.jpg

Colorful straps...
http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16516.jpg

[Ramsey Russell]

And heavy straps...
http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16509.jpg

A pair of beautiful Brazilian teal...
http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16491.jpg

Saved my favorite picture of the trip for last. I'd rather be lucky than good.
Two days rain put some shallow water in a shallow swag out in a rice field that had not been shot all year. Made ourselves a wallow in the sparse stubble upwind of the puddle, put out a few decoys. More than ever, reminded me of hunting back home. The hunt was spectacular. As the sun started setting, I'd had enough shooting for one afternoon and decided to take a few pictures while the sun was setting. Went and got my camera, took a few steps and here comes this little brazilian teal out of nowhere. Worked out nicely.
http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16521.jpg

[TailChaser]

That is simply breath taking. Thank you for sharing. smile.gif

[goosehunter64]

Absolutely breath taking. :eek: :eek: :cool:

[Rob Jepson]

Ramsey,

Great stuff!

Rob Jepson
Avery Pro-Staff Relations Manager

p.s. Is the beef everything I've heard it to be cracked up to be down there?

[Tony Vandemore]

Nice pics, lucky dog.

[NickHedDOA8]

Wow those birds are amazing! nice pictures, and that last picture could win a darn contest wow perfect timing! That is really unbelievable!

[Ramsey Russell]

Thanks guys, we had a great time and are going back next year for repeat! Shoot me an email or call for more info.

Any plans for GHG Rosybills anytime soon?! Just kidding (but I know they'd be as beautiful as the North American waterfowl lineup)!

Avery already has a tremendous presence in South America! They were using GHG teal decoys in their spread (that had not yet been hand painted to match local species, not that it mattered - we hammered the ducks anyway). I've got a picture of a speckled teal we killed that had drifted up next two a couple of GHG greenwing drake decoys I'll get posted soon. As a prostaffer, I was proud to see that GHG decoy quality is recognized, and put to great use, world-wide!

[Ramsey Russell]

Rob the beef is excellent! Not as many feed lots so teh beef tends to be a little more lean but very good (and you eat plenty of it while you're there too).

We enjoyed beef, lamb (by request), chicken, fish and - by request - plenty of ducks. Our partner staffs a chef that worked wonder with ducks. I noticed they specifically selected rosybill. We had fried duck breast appetizers, stew, soem kind of duck-stuffed pastry for brunch and my favorite pato con la naranja (rosybill with orange)! The chef said he did nothing special, but I swear it was by far the best and mildest tasting waterfowl that I've ever had the pleasure to eat!
http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16445.jpg

[Ramsey Russell]

Almost forgot. When in Rome...

First night we were there, our host said the gauchos had caught an armadillo and were roasting it for their dinner. Asked if I’d like to try a piece. I said sure – " a small piece"!!! Can't believe it: it was absolutely delicious! Same as everything else the flavor's in the fat ;) ! Couple of days later I was walking around the gauchos’ cocina and found this:
http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/in-gallery/gallery/16446.jpg
Turns out, they were saving the shell to make a musical instrument similar to a mandolin.