It was time to "hunker down"

   While humans can make the necessary preparations to weather a hurricane, have you ever thought of what critters do?  It has to be incredibly hard for most animals to ride out such harsh weather.  I am sure that many such as deer, coyotes, fox and coons seek out the protection of the deep woods and perhaps things that burrow settle in for the long haul in their underground dens but other critters pretty much have to do the best they can.  My pondering led to the pelicans.  Those poor birds really take a beating during these storms.  After Hurricane Katrina, I found several storm-worn pelicans near the Little Bayou House.  They were exhausted, rain-soaked and quite battered but none were seriously injured.  We did find many that did not survive but these were ok.  The birds were too tired to even care that we were checking them for injuries.  They merely stood still. 

  As soon as the sun rose after Hurricane Ida, Son and I meandered the hillside and water's edge.  Luckily, this storm did minimal damage to the pier so we were able to venture down to the water.  There, dozens of Brown Pelicans sat hunkered down on the pier posts and rails.  Since Hurricane Ida did not give us a direct hit, the pelicans most likely hunkered down right there for the duration of the storm.  The winds were a bit tough for about five hours but nothing that they could not handle.  In fact, the birds did not appear to be any worse for wear after their ordeal.  I am glad they made it through safely.