The Marsh Is Not Safe!

  Camouflage is a good thing when you are a young critter...or, well, any critter...but particularly when you are young and defenseless.  It can mean the difference between life and death.  On the Bayou, there are many predators all wanting a meal.  Some are bold and brazen while others are cunning and quiet.  To my way of thinking, those quiet, sneaky ones are the worst.  They lie in wait and then pounce when their prey is least suspecting.   But, since most predators hunt by seeing movement, the camouflage can save many, many lives.

  My hike started before dawn and eventually brought me to the pier once the eastern sky started to brighten.  With the first step on the pier, a wave of suspense came over me.  Something, somewhere was watching me.  I could feel it.  In fact, it was enough to stop me in my tracks.  Not knowing what was in the marsh or in the trees overhead, the need to be cautious was ever present.  One thing that Pop taught me was to stop and search the area if I felt uneasy about my path.  If this was some predator that could harm me, I wanted to find it so I would know how to address the situation.

  

  It took only a few moments before I could give a sigh of relief.  To my left, there was an old board in the marsh and on that board was a sweet little mourning dove.  The bird was a juvenile and was not sure of itself.  The little tyke was semi-camouflaged but was still in danger.  It had chosen a very precarious spot to spend the night.  Predators prowl the marshes constantly so it is a wonder that the little bird had not already been spotted.  Perhaps it had sought protection from a hawk and thought the marsh was a good spot.  

  Just yesterday, I came across a rather large tuft of white feathers and instantly realized that one of my songbirds had fallen prey to either the large owl during the night or a hawk earlier in the day.  The little dove this morning could have witnessed the brutality that had occurred and took refuge in the marsh.  I could not help but give the little bird a bit of advice.  "Little One!  The marsh is not safe. Scoot yourself up to the jasmine vines or roses as you will be safe there!"  Maybe it will listen...maybe not.  Good luck, Little Dove.