Sweet Couple!

  I cannot say that I get a lot of visitors to the Little Bayou House.  In fact, it is a rare occasion when anyone does drop in to say hello.  Most of the time, I have to be satisfied with the company of critters (which suits me fine).  I do not complain one iota about the lack of people around and am quite thankful that I have developed a sort of relationship with a good many of the animals of the Bayou.  They never...whine, criticize or gossip.  The critters merely try to survive and have a little fun along the way.  Sounds like a great type of friend to me!

  While out before the rains started today, I heard a familiar splashing in the waters of the Bayou.  Yep, the dabbling could only mean one thing. My friends, the Mottled Ducks, were busy hunting breakfast.  In the shallows, the pair were doing a great job of stirring up the mud as they gathered water grasses for their meal.  These ducks eat very few fish as compared to many of the other waterfowl.  They dine upon aquatic plants and the invertebrates that live therein.  Occasionally, they will snatch up a minnow or two that venture too close but not often.  They will eat grains and can be lured in closely with the promise of a handout.  

  This sweet couple has been nesting in the Bayou for the past few years. Some years, Mama brings the whole clutch out for a swim while other times, only one or two have survived.  The Bayou has many predators that will dine upon, not only the eggs, but the ducklings themselves. Snakes, gators, coons, fox, snapping turtles, coyotes and even otters will attack the little family.  Hopefully, the Mottled Duck family will be safe this year and raise their brood to maturity.  I like having them nearby and would love to see them just be happy.