Birds of a Feather....Feathers of a Bird....Whatever...

  That old saying "Birds of a feather flock together" rings true most of the time but today, I found feathers of a bird....and not one that was flocking with anybody.  While out cleaning the greenhouse, I decided that the sunshine would do the plants a world of good, so out they went.  After I toted dozens of large plants out into the yard, they each received a good dousing with the water hose.  That should fix them!  Turning to enter the greenhouse once again, I spied a feather among the brown leaves.  Hmmm...that feather stood out like a sore thumb!  This was no ordinary songbird feather nor was it part of the plumage of any of the waterfowl that inhabit the Bayou.  This feather was easily recognized, yet, was not from any bird that has been in the area for a good thirty years.  The black and white polka-dotted feather was from a guinea fowl. Why in the world did I find a guinea fowl feather in my yard?  And, better yet, where is the guinea fowl that lost its feather?  It is not like they are that hard to see!  Guinea fowl are large (think fat chicken size), brightly colored with the black and white polka-dots and....most of all....LOUD! So where was my guinea fowl?  I would love to find it and maybe befriend it! Years and years ago, Mark and I had a dozen or so of the birds running about the yard.  I loved them!  The bird would definitely be welcomed to the Bayou with open arms and a heaping helping of food!  Where, oh, where are you, Guinea?

  Before finding the guinea feather, Mark and I hiked our way around the marsh edge to the back part of the property near the creek.  When we neared the part of the Bayou on the east side of the property, there was a loud splashing echoing through the marsh.  A family of otters played in the shallows but I also noticed two ducks over to one side.  The bright sunshine made it difficult to see the birds well but the shape of their heads or their crests gave away their secret identities!  These were Hooded Mergansers!  I love these little ducks!  The pair seemed to not mind our presence or that of the otters.  We watched the frolicking critters for about ten minutes before heading down to the creek.  What fun!

  While the find of the guinea fowl feather and the sighting of the Hooded Mergansers were not related other than both being avian, they both did make me happy.  Hopefully, if the guinea fowl is lost and needs a home, it will settle in on the Bayou.  It will be welcomed.  And hopefully, if the mergansers found the Bayou as a suitable winter home, they will return next year.  They, too, will be welcomed.