Mace Sedge and Tiny Spiders

   After any tropical system that hits the Bayou, I am always a bit concerned about those dratted invasive species that are often washed ashore.  We have become plastered with cogon grass, water hyacinths, brown widow spiders and eastern lubber grasshoppers all thanks to one storm or another.  None of these were present when I first moved here from the old farm place across the road.  Now, I find that there are several more "pond" plants that are clogging up the waterways of the Bayou.  Soon, there will be no way to navigate the twists and turns and, soon, there will be no Bayou left to enjoy.  Even from the shoreline, you can see masses of floating plants that were not there before the latest system (Claudette).  A few were washed in on the high tides and now are multiplying rapidly.  There is nothing I can do to save my Bayou from this mess.  Son and I pull out any of the plants that we can reach from the pier and small skiff but it is a dauntless job to empty an entire bayou of unwanted items.

  Early this morning, my walk to the pier caused a bit of concern.  Near the sloped step up to the planking, a large plant loomed where one had not been a few weeks ago.  With the copious rainfall, I had neglected to see this one.  It worried me that this would be another "problem".  Since I could not get to the plant for fear of getting totally mired in by the squishy mud, several photographs were taken of the plant to use as a reference for me to study.

  It appears that my fretting was for naught.  The plant is actually sold in nurseries as an ornamental and is not considered invasive.  Carex Grayi or Mace Sedge grows in large clumps but is easily controlled and is a source of food for some birds.  The flowering part does indeed look like a medieval weapon, of sorts!  

  It is funny how after spying the Mace Sedge and worrying about the possibility, I suddenly became engrossed in photographing a tiny spider that was repairing her web after a night of successful hunting.  The sweet little thing had her web strung between several of the "maces" on the plant.  It occurred to me that she was one smart spider.  Her choice of making the web in the muck and mire of the Bayou ensured that she would snare plenty of mosquitoes.  At the same time, the pointy sedge knobs give her a slight bit of protection from any small predators that may wish to eat her!  Critters are amazing.  I am sure glad her choice of a homesite is not something I have to eliminate as I would hate to disrupt her important work.