In Black and White...

  Its graying again.  Each year after the splash of color, the cooler weather takes over and grays everything it touches.  Just last week, I was in awe of the colors of our "late" fall.  The cypress trees especially were brilliant as were the popcorn trees.  Now, that has all changed. Torrential rains and powerful winds hit the Bayou leaving the trees bare.  Most of the colorful leaves have fallen and are now a mushy mess on the ground.  What makes matters worse is that I cannot go out to rake up this soggy mat.  More rain is predicted for most every day of the coming week.  The squishy ground cover will just have to remain in place until things get a bit dryer.   It is funny how quickly Mother Nature can change her wardrobe.  

  This morning, I headed to the pier to check the old skiff.  Since all of the fishing gear had been stowed away before the last bit of stormy weather, I had nothing to occupy my time other than to watch the birds. Out on the water, a few mergansers were huddling close together, three pelicans were resting on the pier posts and a lone osprey called from the top of a dead tree back in the depths of the Bayou.  This time, due to the bare trees, he was easy to spot.  This made me think of how open and exposed other critters were at this time of year.  While the osprey will not bother them, hawks will be on the lookout for squirrels and smaller birds that frequent these trees.  There is not much chance that these critters will be able to dart for cover like they do when the trees have full foliage.  Most will have to resort to moving lower in the evergreen bushes or even on the ground.  The fallen leaves do provide a bit of coverage and camouflage of smaller critters so I guess all is well.

  I like this time of year even with all of its grayness and drear.  Things are good on the Bayou.