I Was Wrong

 Unlike some folks, when I am wrong, I am wrong and I admit it.  No problem.  Why argue a dead point?  If a mistake is made, own up to it.  Do not try to justify your mistaken ideas.  Do not try to prove the other person wrong.  Just say "I was mistaken." and let it go.  SO...that said...I owe my husband an apology.  I was wrong.  He was right.  I had long disbelieved something about a critter here on the Bayou.  I fully thought it was a myth that male catfish will actually brood the eggs after the female lays them.  I had to see it before I believed it.  Well, I saw it so now I am a believer.  He does, indeed, carry them in his mouth.  During the month or so of brooding the eggs, the male catfish does not eat.  He survives on built up fat in his body.  Sometimes even after the eggs hatch, the little ones will linger in his mouth for protection from predators.  He guards them until it is safe for them to be on their own.  Discovering this, I have a new found appreciation for the lowly hardhead catfish.  

  Late this afternoon, I headed to the pier.  It had been a long day of pushing the lawnmower about the hillside and I needed a break.  As usual, Moe, the heron, visited making net-throwing a necessity.  The bird was hungry so I caught him a few little mullet.  Also in the net, was a medium sized hardhead catfish.  My first thought was to use the catfish as crab bait so I shook him free from the net and picked him up to de-horn him.  There was no use in getting stabbed by one of those prongs!  That hurts!  It was then that I noticed his bulging lower jaw.  Hmmm...interesting.  Just about that time, poor Daddy Catfish gasped for breath and three eggs fell out of his mouth!  Oops!  After a few photographs, Daddy Catfish was gently placed back in the water with his horns intact!  Hopefully, he will find the three errant eggs that were also dropped back into the water.

  So, Mark, I cede to your wisdom on this matter!  I have lived on or near the Bayou all of my life and never knew about the struggles of the male catfish.  I have learned something new and interesting!