Occasionally, something occurs on the Bayou that truly saddens me. Recently, an osprey was seen acting rather strange. The bird appeared to be exhausted from flying but with each attempt to land in the old pine, a struggle would ensue and the bird would take flight again. My first thought that something was in the tree that was prohibiting the bird from landing. Maybe a large snake was there as rat snakes are known to even be in the tops of the tall pines. Since I had nothing better to do, I sat down and watched the osprey. Again and again, it made the attempt to alight in the tree to gain some much needed rest but each attempt was aborted. Fatigue is not a good thing when you are in flight.
Soon, the osprey flew low overhead and I was able to view the full bird. It became quite apparent what was ailing the poor bird. Evidently, the bird had tried to catch a fish but that fish was its undoing. Wrapped around the osprey's legs was a fishing line with cork still attached. The bird could not use its legs! My heart started breaking for the bird. What was it going to do?? Ospreys depend on those strong legs and talons for more than just perching in a tree. Without the use of its legs, an osprey cannot fish for food. I sat fretting over the bird and trying to figure how it could be helped.
It was not long before it became clear that my help was not needed. The bird did a belly-flop on the shore on the other side my brother's pier. It screamed for its mate who quickly came and between the two of them, they managed to pull the line from the legs of the exhausted bird! The tired bird took flight again and landed on her perch in the pine. Soon her devoted mate brought her a nice size fish...WITHOUT a hook and line. The love and care that the male osprey showed for his ladylove was amazing. The resiliency and determination of both birds is something that should be inspirational to all humans. I sure learn a lot from the critters around here and I am so thankful that, what could have been devastating, turned out to be truly incredible. I only wish the camera lens could have caught this feat but the distance was just too great.
Folks, when it is dry, don't burn. It only takes a wee bit of commonsense to understand that fires have a way of spreading during dry weather. Let one spark lift up into the wind and devastation can be the result. Just don't. If there is a burn ban issued, don't even use that cute little outdoor fireplace. Your entertainment can leave folks homeless or even cause death. Just don't. If the leaves crunch underfoot, don't burn trash (even in a container.) Your yard cleanup could result in hundreds of acres of forest lost due to wildfires and thousands of animals horribly killed. Just don't. One tossed cigarette, one small fireworks (bottle rocket), one careless act...puts firemen in extreme danger. Just don't.
This past weekend, a fire raged through the woods not far from us. Scuttlebutt has it that someone decided to burn leaves even though a burn ban was in effect. Acre upon acre scorched as the fire went crazy with the high winds. Flames shot nigh on seventy feet into the air. Homes, churches and businesses were threatened to be caught up in those flames but, thanks to the brave firefighters, were saved. It was a careless act that should never have occurred.
Last night, it rained. This rain was a blessing, not only for the exhausted firefighters that were still watching "hot spots" but to all of us who have wooded areas. Watching the videos of the fire just to the west of us, caused an uneasiness to settle in as it could very well have been here. When I heard the first raindrops pelting the rooftop, I said a prayer of thanks and know full well that prayer was being repeated the Coast over. I have always been thankful for the rain but, in times like this, it has never been more beautiful.
