Getting Cold Feet!

I know that the term "getting cold feet" usually refers to an anxiety attack over some stressful upcoming event but this morning..it was literal. Not about me..(my feet are always cold!)..but about a little raccoon. It was cold here on the Bayou for the past few mornings. So cold, in fact, that my breath would send up little frost clouds and so cold that my camera lens was fogging over making it difficult to photograph any interesting occurrence. Ezzy, the mutt, had decided that it was too cold for her to even stick her nose out from her nice toasty bed. This made my trek around the hill a lonely one but also allowed me to get a tad closer to the critters that were also out and about. A big, ole, clumsy dog galloping around the hill has a tendency of making most wild creatures a little edgy so picture-taking is sometimes difficult.

Little Bright Eyes trying to catch his breakfast!

This morning, just as yesterday morning, a small raccoon was busy fishing in the shallows of the Bayou. The icy north wind had taken its toll on the usually filled waterways in the Bayou leaving mudflats exposed in most areas. Still, this one brave, little coon fished. The trickling of water left many of the small fish trapped and he was taking full advantage of the low tide! He would wade back and forth across the five feet or so span of water, never once reaching a depth of more than about knee deep. He would flutter his front paws in the mud, stirring up a number of cold and groggy fish. When one would sluggishly try to swim away, these same little paws would quickly grasp the fish. Crunch..crunch..crunch..breakfast was served. Back into the water again, he would go searching again.

Fishing...fishing...fishing!

I shivered as I watched the young raccoon wade-fishing on this frosty morn. This would not be my cup of tea on such a cold day but I guess if he wanted to eat, he had no choice. It is strange to me how the cold does not seem to bother some of the critters of the Bayou. Ms. Ez was warm and snug in her bed but the raccoons, otters and nutria rats were already out and about doing their daily duties. Each of these was hunting or fishing in the icy water or on the mudflats. The cold water was frosting over their fur but they did not take notice..or perhaps hunger far outweighed the need for warmth.

He caught one!

Speaking of warmth...I was now shaking with the chill! I hurried back to the house. I must dig out the winter clothes as this light jacket just was not getting the job done this morning! I looked at Ezzy. She was still all snug in her bed..crazy dog!..or maybe crazy me! Whatever..nothing a mug of hot coffee and a warm pumpkin muffin wouldn't fix! I bet that little raccoon would like a warm muffin, too! Hmmmmm????

Maybe a little too spoiled?