The Osprey Lands

   It is no secret that I watch the critters of the Bayou.  Their daily antics intrigue me.  Let any critter be in sight and I can sit for hours watching its every move.  I have often said that I like critters better than I do most people.  They avoid drama as much as I do and, to be totally honest, critters are a whole lot smarter than people.  They know how to survive and how to adjust their lives if the need arises.  People, on the other hand, whine.  So, I avoid people and mingle with the critters.

 

  Late this evening, I was trying to photograph an egret that was on my brother's pier.  The bird was preening with its wing outstretched in the most graceful manner.  Birds have to take extremely good care of their plumage as misplaced or damaged feathers can cause considerable trouble for the bird.  These feathers can disrupt the airflow when the bird is in flight or even cause heat loss during the colder months.  This evening, the egret was doing its best to keep its plumage in tiptop shape.  In the far distance an osprey was doing the same.  Behind the egret but on the far shore, an osprey landed in the top of a pine.  There it, too, preened.   

  As I watched these birds, another Osprey was coming in for a landing.  This was an aircraft that is sort of a weird mix of a helicopter and airplane.  At first, I had no idea what I was watching.  It was not until I saw it tilt up its blades before I realized what it was.  Then, when the Osprey got over the airstrip at the air base, it landed...straight down!  I was impressed by this aircraft!  It is pretty amazing and fully reminded me of the "transformer" toys that my boys used to play with back when they were kids.  Oh, the things I see while critter watching.  The Osprey has landed.