It's definite now.

The Cessna 206 is too fast for antelope classifications.

Yes, we got done in an hour. But I was able to identify less than half the pronghorn we saw. May still have enough of a sample, but it is frustrating to watch large herds go whizzing by without being able to say what they all were.

Otherwise, the flight was good. Didn't get queazy until the third transect, and that was just because of all the dipping and turning necessary to drop down out of the sky on unsuspecting critters.

But our air was fine, and the light perfect.

Which would not have been the case had we been trying to fly just across the Continental Divide to either the east or north. That country was obviously socked in, the heavy clouds constantly trying to pour over onto our side of the Divide.

The fourth transect takes us within a couple miles of the airport, just off the end of the most commonly used runway. Although elevation-wise, we're well below the runway. As is standard safety protocol, when we neared the airport, the pilot radioed to anyone out there where we were.

And got a response. An incoming aircraft, a few miles farther out.

Pilot mentioned we were flying an antelope survey and would probably be well below their landing path, and not a problem.

"How low are you?" was the other pilot's response.

"Ohhh, about 150... feet" was my pilot's reply.

"We'll try not to fly under you." was the joking response.

"Well, we've got a powerline underneath us, so I don't think you'll fit."

And the other pilot made his final retort, "I don't want to admit to anything, but you'd be surprised how low these things can go."

A minute or two later he announced they had spotted us, and were moving in for their landing.

Now, my pilot knew the other pilot. It's a small state, and an even smaller flying community, after all. So he knew what type of plane the other fellow was flying.

Me, I had to wait until we landed a half-hour or so later.

It was this one.

One of the Governor's jets.

Which explains why the unmarked Highway Patrol car was parked there, waiting.

Waiting for the Governor's use.

Me, I'd like to know what occasion the Governor's pilot ever had to fly a jet at less than 150 feet.

Scouting for hunting season, perhaps?