Could It Be Moe?

   A few years back, I had the honor of befriending a Great Blue Heron.  This started when the bird as a youngster not yet adept at catching fish ventured onto the pier.  I offered it a few little mullet which it greatly appreciated...so much so that the bird returned every day for a handout.  After the first few days, I decided to name the bird "Moe".  He continued to come even after becoming an adult bird.  He and I got to be such good friends that he would actually take fish from my hands without ever pecking at me.  Oh, yeah.  I was warned.  "That bird will peck your eyes out if you get too close!"  It is silliness like this that bewilders me.  Moe never tried to "peck my eyes out" nor harm me in any way.  None of the critters of the Bayou do.  None.  For a couple of years, I had to limit my pier time due to health issues.  It broke my heart to know my friends (such as Moe) would not understand why I abandoned them but I followed doctor's orders and stayed a bit closer to the Little Bayou House. 

  Early this morning as I sat and watched the sunrise, I noticed a heron on my brother's pier.  The bird brought back memories of Moe and the good times I had with the bird.  I watched as the heron scooped up mullet after mullet from the water.  It brought me joy just knowing I was back in my "element"...back in my happy place.  

  As I sat there watching that bird, he kept a watchful eye on me, too. After a good half hour, the heron left my brother's pier and flew directly over where I was sitting.  It surprised me to see the bird actually do a "wing tilt" much as pilots do planes when they acknowledge or notice someone.  Do birds do that, too?  Was this Moe and did he recognize me?  Probably not.  Most likely the wobble was due to air currents or just the heron changing course.  Still, it brought a smile and in my mind, Moe gave me a quick "hello" before flying to the back of the Bayou. It was a good morning.