Moe, the Flasher!

  A couple of years ago, I explained a weird habit of some of the larger birds here on the Bayou.  "Flashing" seems to be a favorite pastime of the herons especially.  Our young Great Blue Heron put on quite the show for us this morning as he soaked up some of the sunshine.  Don't get me wrong, Moe was not doing anything vulgar but was doing a natural thing akin to sunbathing.  "Flashing" refers to a practice of larger shorebirds as they hold their wings in a drooping fashion which allows their bellies to be exposed to the sunshine.  Their appearance during this action resembles a guy in a trench coat doing the unspeakable. This not only warms the bird during the winter months but also lets the heat kill any mites that have infested the bird.  

  Moe had come in for breakfast this morning as he usually does.  After we fed him a huge helping of menhaden, he opted to stay on the pier with us as we fished.  At one point, he faced the sun, opened his wings and "flashed".  Moe stayed in this position for nigh on an hour just enjoying the sunrise. This is one of those instinctive actions that birds seem to know how to do.  While humans have gotten to the point that most actions have to be taught, critters depend more on instinct.  Some critters are taught the basics by their parents but others never see their parents so have to learn everything on their own.  Birds are the lucky ones.  At least, the parents take care of baby birds for a few weeks teaching them how to forage.  Others are not so fortunate.  Snakes and turtles, for example, rely totally on instinct.  There are no parents present to help them on their way.

  Moe's action of flashing is instinct.  His ability to hunt for food was taught.  His practice of coming to the pier and trusting us is purely something he learned on his own.  It is that last one that means the most to me!