All is Well...The Critters are Happy!

  When critters reproduce in an area, it usually is a sign that things are good there.  No critter will knowingly nest, den or otherwise have little ones unless they feel sure that those offspring will survive. There has to be enough coverage to provide a bit of security and there has to be a ready food supply.  I am happy to say that the Bayou must be A-ok.  For a while, I worried what with all of the building going on in the area and with "progress" dumping garbage in the world's waters, that it would not be long before all of my critter friends up and left the place.  Instead, things are brighter.  This year has seen multiple nestings of all of the local birds and several litters of fox, otters, coyotes, etc.

  Some of the easiest birds to track as far as broods are concerned is the ospreys.  They are large and loud when the little ones take flight.  Both parent birds are on hand to cheer on their little ones.  The shrill calls alert me whenever the nestlings fledge.  I have watched three different nestings of one pair of the ospreys and have seen where six other pairs are nesting in the area adjacent to the Bayou.  While it is always thrilling to view the little ones, it is more important to know that the Bay and Bayou must be teeming with fish.  Ospreys feed solely on fish so their presence is a clear sign that things are going well.  If there are plenty of fish in the area, the waters must be in decent shape.  

  Just yesterday, Mark and I watched the juvenile osprey dive in the Bayou after mullet.  While his techniques need a bit of tweaking, the bird was doing rather well for himself.  He has the rest of this year to fend for himself and perfect his aim before, he, himself, will find a mate and nest. His time then will be spent feeding her and the little tykes after they hatch.  All is well on the Bayou.  What a comforting thought!