The Tap Dancing General

  It is not often that you see a leader of high rank out cutting a rug on the dance floor.  Usually, they are more reserved and have a certain air about them that does not fit with the idea of commanders putting on a show including tap dancing and singing.  Usually....except maybe on the Bayou.

  Mark and I made our way to the pier early this morning and were just in time to see the most hilarious tap dance of all time.  Step, tap, step, tap, toe up, toe down,shuffle, shuffle, click, click, click.  The General put on quite a show for us as we slowly walked onto his stage (better known as the pier).  As if the dance routine was not entertaining enough, the General insisted on singing during the performance!  His song started on a sharp blunt note and ended with a long trill. 

  The General is a red-winged blackbird that has been supreme commander over the Bayou for the past seven or eight years.  Each spring, the General comes back to the same territory with his bevy of lovely lady blackbirds.  They build nests in the groundsel bushes that overhang the marsh edge and raise their families of little ones.  The General keeps close watch on his family and tries to discourage any intruders.  He flashes his red and yellow epaulettes, spreads his wings and fluffs his feathers to make himself look larger and does a most remarkable territorial dance.  This dance was what we witnessed this morning as he tried his best to chase us back up the hillside.  

  Once the bird gets accustomed to our daily visits, he will settle down and merely watch us from the nearby reeds.  During the first few days of nesting season, he puts on quite the display, not only to chase us away, but to also attract his ladyloves.  It was good to see the General back in his rightful place.  Welcome back, General....and family.