Critters at work!

    Well, folks, you know it has been raining a lot when snails seek refuge on the pier.  While it is a common sight to see the snails on pier posts, it is rare to find them on the pier planks unless something has dropped them there.  Nope.  This morning, snails were taking a stroll on the pier.  I had to be careful not to step on them as these are helpful critters.  I sure do not want to smash any critter that is going to do me a favor.

  The olive nerites are sweet little snails that feed on algae.  They are found all over the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean more often in brackish waters like that of the Bayou. They are also popular aquarium critters but will not reproduce in the fresh water.  The snails have a marine larval stage so make use of the brackish water.  Usually, they can be found on anything that stays in the water long enough to get a slight coating of algae.  The lower part of the marsh grass is covered with the critters as they clean the roots and stalks.  To find them on the upper planks makes me think that the copious rains actually encouraged some type of algae growth on the planks.  The snails were merely there to do me the favor of cleaning the boards so I would not slip!  (At least, that is MY story!)

  Hopefully, we shall have a few days to dry out before the next round of bad weather sets in over the Bayou.  Getting any outside chores accomplished has been nigh on impossible and it shows.  Time to get it in high gear for the next few days.  Stay dry, folks, and appreciate the algae eating snails!