Gators and Hailstorms!

  The storms just keep rolling in on the Bayou and the one today was a doozy!  Not only did we have our usual inch or so of rain, spectacular lightning show and high winds, this storm decided to change things up a bit and pound us with hail.  The hail, sometimes up to golf ball size, pelted the Little Bayou House for nigh on an hour before moving on to drive some other poor folks mad.  The pounding on the rooftop was deafening at times but all's well that ends well and we suffered no lasting damage.

  The morning before the storm was quite perfect, though.  While heading down the pier, a large splashing on the shoreline made me think that the otters were at play.  I readied the camera only to find an alligator instead of my frolicking otters.  This gator was a small one of about four feet in length and was happy to be floating about in the water.  It watched us warily but made no effort to vacate the vicinity.  I watched a while before turning in the other direction. Ha!  Another gator was eyeing us from the south!  This was a much larger critter than the first.  It, too, showed no fear but watched our every move.  I do believe both were waiting for us to fill the crab traps with bait so they could have breakfast.  Too bad, Gators!  You tore the wire on the traps so no bait will be needed!  You, my fine friends, will have to work for your meal today!

  Now it is nightfall and, once again, thunder rumbles as another storm is approaching.  These are all bringing moisture up from the Gulf and inundating us with rainfall.  Thankfully, the hill dries quickly and there is no standing water.  I do not mind these storms and I am pretty positive that the gators do not either.  (Although, they may not have appreciated the hailstones!)