Mr. Stinky

  While I am one of those folks that believe in the mantra of "Live and let live.", there are a few critters that I am just as happy to "let live" away from me.  There are a couple of denizens of the marsh that had just better stay in the marsh.  I do not want them to come visiting the Little Bayou House.  I am perfectly happy sitting on the pier conversing with them while they do their thing on the mudflats or in the marsh or in the water but that is as far as it goes.

 One of these fine friends is the snapping turtle.  I have no desire to get "up close and personal" with one of those critters!  Besides the obvious fear of losing a finger to one, the critters smell bad.  I fully understand this is not their fault because, after all, they remain mud-covered most of their lives but the stench is so bad that I can usually smell one long before seeing it.  

  Yesterday morning at dawn, I had the opportunity to slip to the pier.  The old dog was just not up to an early morning hike so there was no lumbering animal following me.  That old dog makes enough noise to wake the dead allowing any wild critters plenty of time to hide before we even get to the pier.  The little alone time was welcome.  As soon as I stepped on the first plank of the pier, I knew a snapping turtle was in the area.  The heavy, musty smell of mud was wafting on the gentle breeze.  I froze in my tracks and scanned to darkened corners of the little area of shallows.  Nothing moved.  I knew it was there but could not find it.  After a few moments of my eyes adjusting to the dim light, I spotted the turtle.  Yep!  There was a nice sized snapper!

  The turtle had come to the small pool in the marsh to feed upon the minnows that had been trapped overnight.  It was surprising to see how adept the big lug of a turtle was at catching the small minnows.  The turtle would simply lie in wait for the minnows to gather then strike out at the group.  Almost every strike saw the turtle with a mouth full of the little fish.  

  Although, I thoroughly enjoyed my few minutes watching the turtle, I still have no wish to become friends.  Mere acquaintances is good enough for me.  The turtle can stay in the marsh and I can keep my fingers intact!  Happy fishing, Mr. Stinky!