And we have a BABY!

  The Bayou is still being hammered by the outer bands of Tropical Storm Cindy.  While she is not a terrible storm, as far as storms go, she is doing a grand job of messing up the area.  All eyes are focused on where this storm is making landfall and not where the damage is actually being done.  Here flooding is a major issue.  My rain gauge overflowed sometime last night at seven inches.  This afternoon, it showed another four.  It is still raining. Thunderstorms are rolling in from the Gulf and bringing waterspouts with them.  I spotted two in the Bay directly out from the pier.  Many more and much larger ones were filmed moving along in the Gulf.  Tornado sirens have been belting out their frantic tones since late last night.  Today, I counted eight different times that the warnings sounded.  Much more of the same type weather is expected overnight and into tomorrow.

  Earlier today, I headed down to the pier to pull the old skiff a bit closer to shore.  I did make my way down the pier part way but decided that going to the end was not the brightest idea.  About a foot or more water was over top and quite a number of the pier planks were missing.  One misstep and I would have wound up in the churning waters.  I played it safe and headed back to shore.  Once there, I checked on Mama Skink and her brood of eggs.  Surprise!  One feisty little baby was bursting out of its eggshell!  What perfect timing!  Mama Skink did not seem to mind me taking a few photographs of her little one before I eased the old plank back down upon the little family in the making.  I eyed the ever nearing flood waters.  Mama Skink was brave.  Her family came first and she was not going to give them up easily.  I said a little prayer that the waters would recede and she would be safe.

  Back in the Little Bayou House, I checked the tide charts and found that high tide was within the hour so perhaps Mama Skink had gained another day.  At least one little one had hatched and may be able to make a dash to the palmetto clump just beyond the nest if necessary. Tomorrow morning, the tide may be higher and that escape may be pertinent.  Just in case, though, I gathered a basket and brought the shovel around near the door.  If the surge hits the nest, I would at least make an attempt at a rescue.  I had come this far with the little family and would do whatever was in my power to help them during their time of need.  The remaining eggs, one little tyke and Mama would take a ride in the basket to the greenhouse.  It may not be the perfect solution but, at least, it is a solution.  I hope.

  In the meantime, to all those in the path of the storm, hunker down, stay dry and safe and be thankful that this one is coming in as a tropical storm and not a hurricane!  Happy times on the Bayou!.........And, yes, I have been writing a lot about Mama Skink.  It helps to think about something other than storms.  Besides, sometimes I think critter friends are the best type to have.