My New Friend!

It seems that most of my friends lately are of the critter kind. I am not sure if this is how things are just meant to be or if I spend far too much time hanging around the Bayou! I have been claiming to have a Night Heron as a buddy ever since he decided that handouts of food are easier to come by than those fish he has to catch but now, a new friend is in the making! A young Tricolored Heron has befriended me to the point that I can get within a couple of feet from it before it becomes a mite edgy. If I am on the pier in the early morn, I will hear the soft flaps of its wings as it flies in from the creekbed. The heron will land on one of the pier posts near my bench and watch as I take pictures with my camera. If I have the net handy and can catch a few minnows, he will wait until I back away a few feet before devouring them. As of yet, I have not been able to handfeed this one but that should be accomplished soon. I am sure that the bird does not fear me since it realizes that I have no intent on harming it. What does amaze me is the fact that this bird is not afraid of Ezzy, either. You would think that a dog would be a natural enemy. I can assure you that Ezzy is not luring the bird closer with promises of fresh mullet for breakfast like I am but there seems to be a trust between bird and dog as well.

The Tricolor Heron is a medium size bird as herons go. Once known as the Louisiana Heron, it is the only dark heron with white undersides. It has a long bill that is used for spearing its dinner of small fishes from the marshes and mudflats. This bill also would take off a finger if I am not careful while attempting to handfeed the bird! One thing that I have observed about the Tricolored Heron is when fishing, it has a tendency to wade in deeper water than the other herons or egrets. Sometimes, even its belly feathers will be touching the water as it hunts. The bird will use the crouching method with its long neck outstretched whereas the other herons usually use the standing method while hunting. Perhaps this Tricolored has befriended me because it prefers handouts to wading waist-deep in the cold, January waters of the Bayou. It matters not as I count each friend as a blessing even if they are of the avian kind!