FRIENDS IN FEATHERS 



the gleam of their bills, but seeing the camera they retreated. 

 Many times it seemed Lshould have to give up because I could not 

 endure the punishment. Like a mustard plaster that sun poured 

 down on my shoulders and arms. I felt as if I were being blis- 

 tered, and I was. Each upper arm and the tops of my shoulders 

 above my heavier clothing were burned into patches of water 

 blisters as large as my hand, while I can not tell how those wasp- 

 stings throbbed and ached. 



It was two and a half hours by my watch; I was almost in- 

 sensible, when a faint whistle from Raymond recalled me. I 

 looked down, snapping on the instant, and secured the coveted 

 picture. This in connection with the two fishing pictures of the 

 grown birds are the only real, natural Kingfisher pictures I have 

 ever seen. I could scarcely pack my camera and return to the 

 Cabin. I was red as red flannel, long ago perspiration had dried 

 up, while my flesh burned as with fire. I got into the bath-tub, 

 turned on hot water and took a Turkish bath until perspiration 

 started again to sweat the heat out of me. Then I dressed my 

 blisters and went to bed for the remainder of the day. But 

 never since have I been able to endure the same degree of heat 

 for that length of time. 



Whatever it cost, it was worth while. The picture is one of 

 my finest, also I got some mental impressions on that day, of the 

 swamp in the quarry, and across the road, and of the line of 

 the river, which I now could reproduce to the least detail. I 

 could catch every breath of movement among the willows and 

 poplars. There were water rats riffling the pool, and snakes 

 weaving among the grasses. All birds of spring were busy 

 everywhere. The Red-winged Blackbirds, there were myriads 

 of them, seemed especially to delight in swaying on the rushes 

 and splashing in the water. It appeared to me, up on that 

 embankment, in the merciless heat, throbbing with wasp-stings, 



182 



