Poor Decision

  After a long night of sitting up with an ailing dog, I had to escape for a few moments.  Since he was resting easy, I slipped out the front door to catch the sunrise.  Sometimes, a few moments can mean all the difference in the start of a new day.  While there, I noticed a tiny ripple in the water near the pier.  This ripple was different than those made by the little mullet running along the shore.  I strained my eyes to see what was making the small waves.  To my surprise, I found that it was a grasshopper floating on top of the water.  With no wind to push the critter along, I pondered how it had gotten so far from shore and how it had not been snatched up by a fish.

  Figuring that the grasshopper had been resting in the marsh and washed from its perch by the torrential rainstorm last night, I knew it had to be exhausted.  Knowing how I am, I probably would have tried to help the garden-eating pest had there been anything handy to extend down to the water's surface.   There was nothing on the pier that would suffice as a lift for the critter, however.  I watched as the grasshopper kicked its feet.  That motion sent it propelling across the water placing it within inches of the pier post.  "Grab ahold to the post!!"  Nope, the critter pushed again but in the opposite direction.  The grasshopper was kicking toward shore but it was moving away from its only hope.  

  The push to go to shore put the grasshopper right in line of a red drum that was chasing the school of little mullet.  Redfish are not choosy.  A grasshopper fills the belly just as good as a tiny fish and when it is helplessly floating atop the water, it is a lot easier to catch.  The poor decision making of the grasshopper caused its death.  A grasshopper became breakfast, a redfish filled its belly and I eased my way back up the hillside to check on old Mr. PJ, the old dog.  

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