Better Be Careful!

  The small critters of the Bayou had better be careful as a rather large predator is stalking the place.  I was painting on those windows once again when I heard a familiar sound.  Just outside the window in a nearby pine tree, a Bald Eagle was making its "rusty wheel" call.  This is what the bird's cry sounds like to me.  I remember the iron wheels on the old hay wagon back on the farm sounding a lot like an eagle's cry.  Once I heard the call, I stared out the window to see the eagle so very close to the house.  Geez!  I am glad Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess Cat, was inside!  I knew if I opened the door to take a photograph, the eagle would be long gone so an attempt at taking a picture through the window glass is all I could do. 

  While Bald Eagles are usually fish eaters, they will (and do!) dine upon small critters such as rabbits, squirrels, snakes and any other animals that are available.  The ones around here seem to be opportunistic and would rather steal a nice mullet from the osprey than catch their own but I have often seen them dive near the Bayou.  Still, the squirrels and birds were in a tizzy with the large visitor in "their" territory.  The bird feeders had been well stocked earlier this morning so, if the eagle had wanted, it could have easily had supper.  

  Personally, I think the eagles are searching for a quieter nesting grounds.  For years now, the birds have been nesting on the island across the Bayou but the place is full of construction work and the birds are having to vacate their home.  I am in hopes that the two pairs of eagles will find the Bayou and woods behind the Little Bayou House as promising nesting sites.  It would be nice to have them here. Hopefully, the pair of eagles will linger and I can get some beautiful photographs of them.  BUT...the other critters need to be careful!