LONG!

  The other day, Son and I were talking about the herons that visit the Bayou.  He made the statement that their long necks seem to be ineffectual and far out of proportion to the rest of the body.  "It would not take much to snap that neck.  Just like the spindly legs, they are almost a hazard."  I imagine if a predator tried to overpower a heron, the neck and legs would be the first attack and, true enough, it would not take much to break either.  Still, the length of legs and neck do come in handy at times. (This being said by a short person!)  The heron is a wader.  The long legs help to keep the body up out of the water and allows the bird shuffle along the bottom.  That long neck allows the bird to see down into the water and also lets it snatch minnows that would otherwise be just out of reach.  Both of these lanky features do, indeed, help the bird survive.

  When Moe came to visit the other day, I was able to observe first hand the usefulness of these long, birdy features.  At first, Moe was a bit leery of coming too close to the old dog, Mr. PJ.  Knowing the bird was hungry, I tossed a few menhaden up on the pier post so Moe could dine a bit more comfortably.  To my surpirse, the heron flew to the pier although he knew that the minnows were on the post.  Those long legs and that long neck were put to use.  Moe was able to stand on the decking and still snatch a minnow from the 4 ft tall post.  He ate a few minnows in this manner before flying to the top of the post to finish his meal.

  I went back to the Little Bayou House and called to Son. "Check these photographs!"  Once he studied the pictures, he said "I stand corrected.  The legs and neck are useful but still appear to be quite fragile and cumbersome."  I have to agree.  They do but Moe was happy with himself, regardless.