Where Did It Go??

   This time of year finds us either having beautiful sunrises that turn the waters a lovely, shimmery golden hue or fog so thick that you can see nothing but a wall of white.  It is those golden morns that tend to get the most attention, however, especially when critter friends come to visit.  Their presence on the water makes it all the better.  By critter friends, I am referring to the tiny grebes.  Several pied-billed grebes can always be found near the pier during the winter months.  They have become so accustomed to my presence that they make little effort to skitter out of the way but photographing them is an iffy task as the birds dive quite often.

  Yesterday morning, the golden waters were at their best and the tiny grebes bobbed up and down constantly.  I only wanted one photograph...just one!  I got one...just one.  I do have several nice photographs of lovely golden water with ripples where a grebe "used to be".  The pied-billed grebes are a favorite of mine and have been ever since I first saw them.  They are so tiny compared to most of the other waterfowl and have the cutest faces.  

  Golden mornings, grebes, tranquility...it does not get any better.  Life is good, folks, when you can sit back and enjoy a few moments of whatever is around you.  

Sunrises and Critter Friends

  Dawn is one of my favorite times to be on the pier.   The serenity that comes after the darkness of night is refreshing, to say the least.  Watching the sun peep up over the pines on the opposite shore of the Bayou is nothing short of miraculous.  I can meditate a bit before facing the trials of the day.  

  Yesterday, Mark and I headed to the pier just in time to catch the sun trying to break through a heavy layer of clouds.  In the distance a rain shower gave relief from the bit of a dry spell.  We were hoping it would swing this way but it kept on its northward path.  While we were watching the eastern sky, a small bird swam out from the shore and kept a wary eye on us.  This was a pied-bill grebe.  These birds would rather dive than fly to get away from potential predators.  They do what is called a "crash dive" where they plummet themselves beneath the water and swim for a good distance before bobbing up again.  Pied-billed grebes are known to be able to trap water in their feathers to help with buoyancy.  This allows them to sink deeply and expose just a bit of their body as they scan the area for predators.  Sometimes, you will only see a small head above the water's surface.

  Pied-billed grebes are also known for eating a good many feathers.  They will actually feed feathers to their chicks. This is to create a block against harmful fish bones or spiky fins from reaching their intestines.  The feathers make a plug around the sharp items and the bird regurgitates it much like a cat does a hairball.  

  The little grebe made our morning even nicer.  Being near the wildlife on the Bayou is another part of what makes living here special. Getting to know the critters and their habits has become an interesting pastime.  My critter friends bring plenty of smiles.  Life is good.

Happy to see you!

  Along about this time of year, it seems that the Bayou is the gathering place for any number of waterfowl.  Most of these are on their annual migration back to the far north and are only stopping over for a quick refresher.  Once they fill up their bellies and become well-rested, they will head northward with a quick pace.  It will soon be breeding season and nests are to be built.  Here, though, a few stay on and raise their broods amongst the marshes and mudflats.  The only duck that calls the Bayou its home full time is the Mottled Duck which closely resembles the Mallard.  The Mottled Duck is actually endangered of losing its title because of the inter-breeding between the two ducks.  Localized tame Mallards are slowly taking over the Mottled Duck population.  It is sad in a way.  To lose any specific group due to human intervention is a great loss for us all.

  However, one type waterfowl is doing well here.  The Pied-billed Grebe population seems to be on the rise.  Knowing that the Grebes stay here year round makes me happy as I really like these tiny birds.  In the "duck" world, the grebes are, indeed, tiny!  Although, that statement is highly misleading as Grebes are not ducks at all.  Grebes are in an order all their own.  But, to me at least, the Pied-billed Grebes are some of the cutest of all waterfowl regardless of which "order" they belong.  

  Tiny is a correct description of the birds.  The Pied-billed Grebe weighs in at a around fifteen ounces full grown.  Occasionally, if well-fed, one can get up to around twenty ounces but that is considered quite large. The birds are rarely seen in flight as they much rather swim.  To escape predators they take to diving.  Grebes are expert "submarines"!  They can swim underwater with ease and can even catch prey while doing so.  

  A little known fact about the Pied-billed Grebes is that while preening themselves, they actually eat their own feathers and have been seen feeding them to their chicks.  Scientists seem to think this aids in their digestion as the feathers form a sort of sieve that sifts out harmful bones and such from their diet.  The feathers catch these parts and allows the bird to regurgitate them instead of the sharp bones entering the intestines where damage can be done.  

  I was glad to see a number of the little Pied-billed Grebes gathering near the Bayou today.  Hopefully, this family will stay nearby and multiply.  They are comical, curious little birds that put on quite the show for me as I sit on the pier.  Happy times can be spent watching the Pied-billed Grebes!

Bayou Friends are the Best!

  Timing has to be one of the greatest pluses with photography especially wildlife photography.  If I intentionally go out seeking some critter to photograph, things do not go well but let me wander about the Bayou and it is as if things present themselves.  Take today, for instance.  I wandered down to the pier just before dark.  Ms. Ez, the old Bayou Dog, had been cooped up inside all day and needed to get a bit of exercise.  After galloping about the hillside for a few laps, she was ready to follow me wherever I went.  That usually means the pier.  As soon as I stepped past the marsh grass, I knew this was going to be a successful mission. 

  A tiny Pied-billed Grebe scooted out from beneath the pier. The bird fluttered across the water and then dove as grebes are prone to do. They would rather dive than fly to escape a threat.  I hated to think that I startled the poor bird so I sort of "sweet-talked" to it while trying to calm it.  It worked!  I was surprised to see the little squirt turn and start paddling back towards me!  Oh, my.  I continued my soft-talk technique as the bird came closer and closer.  It was soon not two yards from me and the old dog.  Ms. Ez sat silently.  She knew that this bird was a friend and she also knew from experience that she should sit quietly while I photograph wildlife.  (Such a smart dog...at times.)  Anyway the little grebe stayed near me for nigh on a half hour.  I talked while it listened.  With darkness falling, I knew I had to call this meeting to an end.  I was barefoot and the trek back to the Little Bayou House could be treacherous.  Any number of snakes might be on that path!  I sadly bid my sweet new friend "Goodnight" and headed back up the hill.

  A lot of folks lump Pied-billed (and all grebes) in the category with ducks.  This is not accurate as they are not ducks at all. They belong to the order Podicipediformes which, by the way, only contains grebes. One interesting fact is that even though grebes are waterfowl, they do not have webbed feet.  They can swim really well because each toe is flared at the end sort of like a little paddle.  

  I enjoyed visiting the little Pied-bill and will check to see if it is back tomorrow.  My Bayou friends seem to be my best friends.  

Early to rise.....or too early to rise!

It was a strange thing this morning. Ezzy, the dog, and I went to the pier as usual but for some odd reason, I chose to make the trip at about 4:30 instead of the usual 5:30. The extra hour made the wait for the sunrise to seem a tad long to say the least! Still, it was nice just to sit and breathe the cool air. Needless to say, it was dark..far too dark to see much beyond the nose on my face! All of a sudden, Ezzy's ears pricked up in interest at something in the water. I stared at the inky blackness..nothing. Geez, sometimes I wish I was a bit like her! It would be fun to see in the dark and be able to know just what was edging closer and closer to me!

Beautiful sunrise on the Bayou!

Ezzy watched as the interesting object circled the pier. Hmmmm..I was wondering if Mama Gator was paying me a visit..should I be nervous? Or maybe the otter family was out early this morning. I wondered if perhaps a nutria rat was trying to make its way to the marsh edge for a snack. I stared...nothing. I would just have to wait for the sun to make its appearance. At this point, I was certainly glad that our pier sits high above the water! Ezzy stood and paced the pier..she was not sure about something in that inky water.. Hmmmmm??

One of the tiny Pied-bill Grebes to come to the pier!

As the sun began to lighten the Eastern sky, a glow spread across the water. I could see the wake of something swimming about twenty feet out from the pier. Circling..ever circling..what in the world was this? I waited a bit longer..it only takes minutes for the sun to rise above the pines and then I would see what was watching me! While I waited, I listened to the raccoons squabbling in the marsh. They were not one bit happy with each other this morning!

The second Pied-bill Grebe visiting the pier this morning!

Then the first rays of light illuminated my visitor! Actually, my two visitors were now seen! Two Pied-billed Grebes had moved in closer..now circling about ten feet from the pier! Around and around they went..just paddling and staring at me! I knew why these little ducks were coming expectantly to my pier. They were missing my brother. He has soft heart when it comes to these little guys and will toss them baits when he comes in from fishing! He has not been down to the pier lately so I suppose they thought that the best thing to do was to visit the pier next door! I am sorry little grebes..I have no food for you! These two grebes will most likely be back in the morning so I will raid the freezer for a few bait shrimp to have on hand for a breakfast. However...I do not think that I will be there at 4:30!