Just after what would have been daybreak, Mark and I headed to the pier on our usual hike about the place. There was no sunrise as it was foggy. In fact, it was so foggy that our jackets soon became coated with a fine layer of water. Our footsteps were muffled by the wet mulch as we padded lightly down the hillside. Then, we had to be careful not to slip and slide on the new pier boards. One misstep and we would have been down in the mucky marsh. This is to my liking, however, as it seems our sounds are not easily picked up on by the critters. They, too, are out and about taking full advantage of the silencing of the fog.
Moe, the Great Blue Heron, was using the fog to help him catch his breakfast. He was able to stand motionless in the shallows without casting a shadow. Minnows and baby mullet were not able to see him! I watched as the bird snagged several nice fish in just a few moments.
The fog works both for and against critters. The fog heightens critters' ability to catch a scent of another animal but the muffling effect can make detecting the whereabouts of that critter difficult. Being as most hunt by catching a glimpse of motion, if a predator or prospective prey sits motionless, it is almost impossible to be seen. I have had animals literally walk right up to me before actually realizing I was there. They knew I was in the area but finding me was a different story. It all adds to the mystery of the Bayou!
This morning's fog soon turned to a heavy rain which lasted the entire day. More rain is to come and then a cold spell for a few days. I am in hopes that the "wintry mix" will stay north of the Bayou as it could wreak havoc on the gardens. This, however, is typical February weather here so the critters and I have both learned to live with our ups and downs. Fog, rain, cold...repeat.
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