The "Happy Dance"

  Have you ever noticed how critters seem to fully appreciate even the tiniest act of kindness?  Without words, they can let you know that your actions mean the world to them.  Today was the sort of day that all things went well and it was topped off with a show of gratitude that brought smiles to the face.

  Mark and I had a busy day so late in the afternoon, we called it quits and headed to the pier.  The fishing poles had sat idle long enough and we needed to put them back into action.  The Bay was teeming with menhaden which is our favorite bait fish.  Those shiners really can lure the fish to bite.  We settled in with our baited lines to await the first nibble but it was not long before I was feeding our bait to a different critter!  A Great Blue Heron came to visit us and the poor thing looked so hungry!  This was a young bird that obviously had not mastered the art of fishing as well as it should have so it had taken to begging for a handout now and again.  I was ready to oblige the bird and tossed it a nice sized menhaden.  

  At first the bird was hesitant to accept the fish. It was a bit skittish of the two humans sitting on the pier even though one was willing to supply its supper.  After a bit of coaxing on my part the bird eased up closer to snag its fish.  Another fish was tossed and the bird was quicker on the take.  After six more fish, the heron would dart in to grab its fish with no qualms whatsoever.  After a couple more fish, the bird did a happy dance to show its gratitude for the handout.  Mark made the comment that I had made a new friend and I thought "Yep, and it will be back for more of our bait!"  I guess we had better catch twice as much as we need if I plan on feeding this fine, feathered friend each day!