GALATIA -- A thick glaze of ice shines in the early morning sun as the man in insulated camo clothing points at a small pond, barely visible through the brush, and whispers.
"Mallards. Quite a few. Teal also," he says, keeping his voice low so the ducks don't spook. "I see one male pintail mixed in with them, right in the middle."
Temperatures are in the low 20s, and two of the three ponds on this rural property are frozen, much like most of the watering holes surrounding this particular spot. This pond, though, has open water, and a variety of waterfowl is taking advantage. Eventually, a group of ring-necked ducks flies off, then some of the mallards.
Passing snow geese and greater white-fronted geese, more commonly known as specklebellies or specks, start to descend, then change their minds. Though their honks gradually grow softer, they're not too far away, and they continue to make a little noise from time to time.
At one point, an immature bald eagle suddenly comes into view, makes a few soaring passes, and then disappears.
It's almost like watching a nature documentary, but for Jonathan Cotter of Galatia, it's all part of the job.
Cotter sells real estate for Trophy Properties and Auction, specializing in hunting properties. For a prime piece of waterfowl ground, it's critical to know how weather may affect migrating flocks, even after duck season is over and only the Light Goose season remains.
For instance, before the freezing rain of the last weekend, this property was filled with thousands of ducks and geese. Even now, while many other ponds and sloughs are coated with ice, the fact that this property has open water makes it more valuable, Cotter says.
And, true to the nature of the real estate business, value also comes from location.
"This spot is in close proximity to the Mississippi River, the Cache River and the Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area," he said. "You're going to see a lot of ducks and geese."
Cotter may be reached by calling (618) 926-2816 or through his website www.trophypa.com/agents/jonathan-cotter/.
