The Hoodies are back!

Early this morning, I made the hike to the pier and was fully surprise at how cool it had gotten over night! With just a flannel shirt as a jacket, that wind was down right cold! I had good intentions of waiting for the sunrise but with the thick layer of clouds that would have meant me sitting there for quite some time. The dog and I were just not too overly thrilled with the dampness and the windchill so we called it quits about thirty minutes into the trek. Tomorrow will see me dressed a bit warmer and will probably see her snuggled in her bed!

Snowy Egret braving the cold North wind!

While waiting for the sun, the usual bayou critters made their appearances. All were on the hunt for breakfast and just happy to have survived another night. It seemed to be a good morning for fishing as the egrets and herons both were edging the shoreline. The little grebes were busy bobbing up and down in search for minnows and the rails were snatching up tiny shrimp in the tidepools. In the marsh and along the mudflats the otters and raccoons were having a heyday with the low tide exposed clams! Everyone was happy! Ezzy and I watched and shivered!

Nice to see the Hooded Mergansers back on the Bayou!

Just before heading to the house for our breakfast and mug of hot coffee, I noticed a small group of ducks headed toward the pier. Being dark, it was hard to identify them at any distance so I had to just be patient. Once they were about twenty feet from the pier, I recognized them as Hooded Mergansers...ahhhh..the Hoodies were back! These are the smallest ducks that call the Bayou their temporary home. During the winter months, they migrate here and will hang around until Spring. It always thrills me to see them return as they brighten up the place. These little ducks are quite agile swimmers and appear extremely graceful on the water but on land..it is a different story. Since their legs are set so far back on the bodies, they appear almost awkward when they walk. Still it does not matter to me if they walk, waddle or wobble...I love these little ducks. They are just one of the many reasons that I love Winter on the Bayou!