Second, since I am still sort of under the weather....much better but still just not "feeling it", I decided that one more lazy day could not hurt. Tomorrow. I may venture out to the greenhouse for a bit to see if I can start my tomato seedlings for the garden this spring....maybe. But, in the meantime, I had to be satisfied lounging about the house...or at least I had to endure it. With nothing else to occupy a lazy mind, I scrolled through some of my old photographs. When I hit one folder full of pictures from five years ago, I thought "Wow...I like that photo!" It is not that it was a perfectly timed photo nor even a particularly well thought out display, it just sort of "spoke" to me. It was perfect. The photo single-handedly described life on the Bayou. The daily struggle to find sustenance while keeping an eye open for predators. I stared at the photograph and tried to recall that early morning so many years ago.
In the photograph, a small Green Heron tries to lure small fish or crabs within range of is sharp beak. This heron is one of the only birds on the Bayou that has developed the skill of "fishing" for its breakfast. Not many critters have learned the art of using tools like this bird. It will use a small piece of leaf, twig or portion of fish as bait. The bait is dropped in the water and the bird stands motionless as it waits. Sometimes the wait is long and the bird will reach out to wiggle the bait. The Green Heron hardly ever "wade fishes". It is much more adept at catching its prey from a firm foundation and simply has remarkable patience.
The almost silhouette effect caused by the pre-dawn hour is what caught my eye. This is my favorite time to be out tromping about the marshes and I have not done it much since the loss of my old dog. I miss her. I really need to get back out there, though, so soon..perhaps..soon. First on the agenda is to fully kick this illness's butt, though!
No comments:
Post a Comment