Bringing The Kids Back To Visit!

  As long as I have lived either on the farm (across the road from where I am now) or on the Bayou, spotting an old friend never ceases to thrill me.  If that old friend happens to bring along its young, then I am even happier.  Yes, I am talking about another critter friend, which should not surprise you at all.  On the early morning hike with the old dog, I heard a familiar cackling "laugh" high in the treetops.  The Pileated Woodpeckers were introducing their young to the grand prizes that could be found in the old dead pine trees.  There are three trees that were struck by lightning in the years past and now beetles, ants and grub worms are plentiful.  The woodpeckers were teaching two youngsters the fine art of finding breakfast.   Two juvenile woodpeckers literally hopped from limb to limb on the dead pines before "Dear Old Dad" called them to the Black Gum Tree in the yard.  There, the pickin's must have been good because the foursome stayed for a good while.  Then, the live pine in the yard brought the birds even closer!

  The Pileated Woodpeckers are always welcome on the Bayou. This year, the adults nested in an oak tree far down in the creek bed where I could not get a glimpse of the little ones until today.  Now, those "little"ones are as large as their parents!  It is good to know that these birds are staying around the place with all of the clear-cutting going on in the area.  What humans deem as progress is not kind to those of the critter world.  Many of my critter friends have had to leave the area and, sad to say, may others perished due to lack of suitable habitat.  It saddens me but, at least, I can do my best to leave our acreage as a refuge for any that wish to stay here.  Carry on, my bird friends, carry on!  You are always welcome on the Bayou!