He has a lot to learn!

  It is not my custom to harm critters.  I do my best to avoid even upsetting them.  I figure like this.  I do not like be harassed so why would any critter think this was desirable behavior.  This does not mean that I keep far away from my critter friends.  On the contrary!  I get as close as I can to them.  I want them to know that it is not my nature to harm them.  Occasionally, however, a critter is just a tad wary of my presence and has to put on a "show of defiance".

  I was on the pier earlier and noticed that I had a visitor.  A juvenile Green Heron flew in to see if there were any offerings of a breakfast. This youngster had not made my acquaintance as of yet and was a bit leery of me.  It kept to a distance from me as I wandered back up the pier.  The bird would scurry up the pier ahead of me then stop to stare.  A couple of times, it took flight only to make a large circle and land in the exact same spot.  I slowly eased my way closer and closer.  The bird took a defiant stance as if to declare the pier as its own.  Its neck stretched high and its small crest stood erect.  When I noticed this, I sat down on the pier boards.  No use in scaring the tyke!

  The young bird soon became a bit more at ease and began relax a bit even though, it never fully trusted me.  The adult birds will come snatch minnows from my hands but this juvenile had no idea that I was trustworthy.  Perhaps soon, it, too, will grant me the pleasure of becoming friends.  Little Bird, have no fear.  I will not harm you.