We All Need Good Friends During a Storm

  The storm system that is raging over a good bit of the country also refuses to leave the Bayou.  High winds and heavy rains were the rule for today.  This caused much flooding in the surrounding areas but for once the Bayou was one of the "drier" places.  Unlike during hurricanes where the tidal surge causes major problems, rainwater merely slides down the hillside into the Bay. We are blessed to live on such a high hill. Others around us are not so fortunate.  Houses and businesses are being flooded.  It is such a sad situation at the very least.  The winds, on the other hand, are quite...errr....brisk?  With the immense amount of rain saturating the ground, the wind does wreak havoc on the poor trees. Those  with shallow root systems are apt to topple.  So far, other than a few small bushes, our trees have held fast.  The bad thing about this system is that it is so slow moving.  The lingering rains do nothing but create more trouble.  

   I took advantage of the one break from the rain today.  Being housebound was beginning to wear on my nerves so about 3pm, I made a quick dash to the pier.  The small skiff was holding its own against the waves although the bilge pump was working overtime!  As I was checking the boat, I heard a familiar sound.  Ahh, the Bottlenose Dolphins were playing around the pier!  Careful to not slip and slide on the wet boards, I hurried out to watch them.  I adore these massive creatures!  I am always in awe of their beauty and grace.  Four of the gigantic creatures would surface and then dive again.  In my fascination, I purely forgot to video the show!  After about ten minutes, the dolphins eased away towards the west.  I was sorry to see them go but felt extremely privileged to have been on the pier at the time of their visit.

  One creature decided that it was just too much trouble to move out of my way.  On the pier post, a lone cormorant sat drying his wings.  Even though these are diving birds, the heavy rains soaked the bird.  It looked at me as if to say "If it is ok with you, I shall just stay right here and rest a bit."  I assured the bird that I had no intention of shooing it off the post as I fully understood its plight.  It responded with a few squeaky noises and then a couple of croaks.  I did notice that dozens of other cormorants seemed to be following the dolphin pod.  Perhaps they were picking up tidbits of fish leftover by the dolphins feeding on mullet.  The one on the post was missing out on a sure meal but he did not seem to be overly worried.  Maybe his belly was filled earlier and now he just desired to dry his wings.  Whatever, Mr. Cormorant! You can do this in peace.

  It was at that moment that the rains started once again and I needed to hurry back up that hill!  I did not wish to get soaked! My entertainment for the day was over.  I felt better after a little communing with nature.  I love my critter friends!