Passing by one of the duck blinds in the waters of Occoquan Bay this past Saturday, I saw a larger number of decoys set out and realized it was occupied. Consequently I braced myself when I heard the sound of approaching ducks and sure enough shots rang out. A few seconds later, I saw a duck hit the water not far from where I was standing.
I was focusing on the flailing duck with my telephoto lens when suddenly a dog swam into the frame. The dog, which appears to be a Labrador Retriever, approached the duck, circled around it so it would be heading in the right direction, and then swam back to the blind with the duck in its mouth.
I am not a hunter and prefer to do my shooting with a camera. However, I can appreciate the skill of both the hunter and the retriever in securing the duck that will probably make a tasty meal.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Its great that you were right on the spot to get this sequence.. very interesting!
I hope the dog gets a nice slice.
Those are AWESOME photos Mike. (We have 3 hunting dogs, German Shorthaired Pointers. You are correct that is a lab. The owner of that Beautiful creature would most likely LOVE to see THOSE photos you took. )
I cannot appreciate the skill of one who considers it sporting to kill wildlife. What kind of sport is that?
I do respect people who feed themselves by hunting, but I could never do it. That is why, 45 years ago, I became a vegetarian. I realized that if I had to kill an animal in order to eat it, I would not be able to do it, and it was hypocritical to buy packaged meat in a store and eat that, without thinking that the food had been a living, breathing fellow creature. That was in 1974…. I’m still comfortable with my choice.
Nina, I appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts on the posting and I very much respect your ethical decision to become a vegetarian.
That was a mouthful for a cold, wet dog!