Clean Bird Stirring Up a Bit of Mud!

  Just before sunrise the other morning, Mark and I headed to the pier.  We wanted to catch a few fish for our lunch but had a busy day ahead of us so our fishing had to be done early.  Just as we stepped on the pier, Mark called my attention to a lovely Snowy Egret working the mudflats.  The bird was slowly stirring up the mud in the shallows.  This one-footed technique usually can flush out even the stealthiest minnows.  The bird would softly place one of its bright yellow feet in the water then start to "stir" with a circular motion.  The muddy water would cause minnows that were in hiding to seek cleaner water.  It is hard to "breathe" when the mud is thick.  The egret would then snatch of its breakfast with ease.  It was interesting to watch the bird in action.

 I knew about the bird's fishing technique because watching them is a favorite pastime.  What still confuses me is just how spotlessly clean the birds stay regardless of the fact that they are playing in some pretty nasty mud.  No amount of detergent nor bleach can get this mud from our clothes but the bird can stay immaculate while wading in the mud.  I am not sure how they do this but it would be awfully nice if they shared their secret!