A Better Fisherman

  Early this morning, a lone osprey could be heard screaming above the Bayou.  In a tall tree somewhere, this fine creature was letting it be known that morning was here and it was hungry.  The fish of the Bay had better be careful about swimming too close to the water's surface or they may become breakfast.  This bird would love nothing better than to grab a mullet or small redfish.  My meandering took me to the pier in hopes of spying my friend.  Sure enough, the bird came out of the tree-lined Bayou and headed for the deeper waters of the Bay.  I watched as it circled several times then made a plummeting dive.  Wow! On its first try, the bird had a nice fish!

  Well, there was nothing to do but follow the osprey as far as I could.  As it flew back into the part of the Bayou where it meets the creek, I quickened my step.  I did not want to lose sight of the majestic bird.  Once it entered the swamp, it would be hard to find.   I needn't have fretted, however, as the osprey came to rest in the top of a dead gum tree.  Even though it was on the far side of the Bayou, I had a clear view of my friend and was able to watch as it started to dine upon its prey.  

  It came to mind that I have rarely seen an osprey miss a catch.  In fact, only once did I witness a juvenile osprey flub nabbing a mullet.  That bird was on its maiden solo-hunting flight and missed its target fish terribly.  In fact, the bird floundered in the water for some time before finally being able to gather its strength to take flight again.  The poor youngster was water-logged and exhausted when it finally returned to its roosting spot.  The bird was so tired that it did not seem to mind that I was about twenty feet from it.  We shared a few moments before I left it in peace so it could regain its strength and dignity.

This poor juvenile osprey had a failed attempt at catching a mullet and got soaked in the process.

  As I watched the osprey this morning, I pondered if this could be the same bird that had so miserably failed with its first attempt at fishing.  If so, it is now a far better fisherman and has learned its life skills well.  Job well done.