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!