Breakfast On The Mudflats!

  The coming of cooler weather means the north wind will be pushing the tide far out from the shoreline.  Sometimes there is a nigh on fifty foot wide strip of mud between the marsh and the water's edge. This makes for difficult fishing from the pier but also makes for some fun "critter-watching".  Critters of all sorts scavenge the mudflats for mollusks, trapped fish and shrimp and exposed crabs.  The predators feast upon seafood while the tides are low and I get the perfect vantage point for viewing all of this dining.

  Yesterday morning, a lone raccoon wandered along the marsh edge hunting for breakfast.  It would scurry after fiddler crabs or nab a stranded minnow as it made its way toward the pier.  Had I not moved to get a clear photograph, the raccoon would have continued on until out of sight.  Instead, the critter darted into the marsh and made its way towards the shore.   I followed to see just where my friend was heading but instead of finding the coon, I came across a marsh rabbit munching on the cord grass roots.  The bunny went scampering out of sight just as the raccoon had. 

  The marsh provides plenty of hiding spots for critters.  Although the raccoon needn't worry, the rabbit needs to not only watch for land based predators but also those from above.  It would only take the red-tailed hawk a quick minute to dart down and nab the bunny.  Life is all about survival with these critters and they are astute enough to take advantage of any and all methods to get through another day.