Bundling up!

We are having another cool spell hit the Bayou. It seems a tad early to be thinking of weather in the thirties and forties but, then again, hey...its Fall! When out this afternoon, I saw a few of the Bayou critters that might better make a run for their migratory destinations! Then there were those diehards that stay in the marshes year round without worrying about a little frost on their feathers! I am thinking, though, that it is perhaps time for the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds to be on their way so I took down most of the feeders. I left one up just so any stragglers would have a feeding station. As far as I can tell, I only have one lagging behind on his trip. He stays by the feeder most of the day causing me to wonder if he is just not strong enough to make the flight. If so, I fear for him this winter..the cold will not be kind to him at all. I will watch him carefully over the next few weeks but I am not sure just what I can do to help him if he does decide he cannot make the trip. Perhaps there is some sort of windbreak that might help or even some type of heated area..then again..I might just make matters worse. Sometimes the best help is to leave well enough alone.

This afternoon the Monarch butterflies were gathered en masse at the Wild Ageratums. They fed upon the nectar most of the afternoon and then sought shelter beneath the thick leaves. With the extreme change in temperatures expected tonight, I am afraid they will be in for a rude awakening in the morning. Our temps are to drop from a high today of near eighty to a low of below forty...enough to cause them problems as well. Hopefully, tomorrow will be sunny and they can warm themselves enough to carry on their journey. There is not much I can do to help them through the winter...they better get themselves on the move!

One bird that will stay and ride out the cold, is the Night Heron. He is on his usual perch, the pier post. Here this bird will fluff his feathers out to fight the stinging cold of the North wind. By morning light, though, he will be wading in the cold water in search of a breakfast of shrimp. This is the same Night Heron that comes to me for a handout occasionally. When times are tough, he knows that I will throw the net for his breakfast! This one, I can truly say, is one of my "friends" as he returns time after time to visit.

Although most of the hummingbird feeders have come down, the seed-filled feeders will be well-stocked for those that will stay on the Bayou during the winter. Windbreaks will be allowed to remain in tact for the comfort of the resident birds and other critters. Son and I have decided to leave several brush piles just for this purpose. For the duration of Winter, these piles may not look the prettiest in the yard but they will provide a safe haven from the frigid temperatures for many of my Bayou friends! Brrr! It is a tad chilly out there!