Distracted by life

   Late this afternoon, I had to escape the confines of the Little Bayou House.  I am good with being inside for a while but then I have to heed the calls of the Bayou.  Not all of us are bemoaning the social distancing recommendations.  Some of us were born to be that way so solitude suits us.  We find adventure where it falls and do not depend on others to create our happiness.  That said, I did, indeed, escape.  For a few hours, I wandered the hillside, woods and creek bed.  I was tempted to go to the far side of the creek and spend time there but got distracted by Friend Osprey.

 The shriek of the osprey drew my attention upward to the top of the barren gum trees.  The bird was perched with something held tightly in its talons.  The osprey had made a catch and it appeared to be quite large.  At first, the bird eyed me.  I suppose I was no threat as soon it started ripping shreds of meat from the fish.  I stood in awe as I watched the bird eat.  Holding onto the tree limb with one foot and grasping the fish in the talons of the other, the bird was able to maneuver its meal to its advantage.  The large, curved beak easily tore long strips from the fish's side.  Then, throwing its head upward, the osprey swallowed the tidbit.  Nary a piece was dropped.  

  Once it stripped the fish clean, it dropped the carcass to the ground. The osprey will sleep well this chilly night with its belly full.  Some other critter, perhaps a raccoon, will finish off the remains of the fish.  It, too, will sleep well.  That one fish satisfied at least two animals.  Life goes on for those adept at survival.