Neatly Folded Against the Wind

  When you think of herons, an image of a tall stately bird with long legs and a long neck comes to mind.  It is hard to imagine seeing one that does not fit that description.  It does happen, however, with the night herons and green heron.  Their somewhat squatty appearance does not seem to go with the norm.  It is hard to convince folks that these are, indeed, herons.  Then, there are times when our tall friends just seem to be squatty like their cousins!

  Since I still cannot get to the end of the pier due to hurricane damage, it is sometimes hard for me to identify certain birds.  Normally, I look for several traits and not depend on just one.  A visitor to the pier posts confused me a bit as it had that telltale squatty appearance.  I was convinced that the green heron had survived the storm and was resting between meals.  A quick photo session took place then I was on my way to find a better subject or, at least, one that was closer.    

  Once those photos were enlarged, I realized that I had made a mistake.  My squatty friend was just trying to conserve body heat during the chilly night and morning.  It was hunkered down against the chilly north wind with its neck tucked tightly against its body.  The bird was the sweet tri-colored heron that I dubbed as "Elvis" several years back.  The bird has hung around the Bayou all this time without leaving.  I should have recognized my friend!  

  It amazes me how the critters of the Bayou have all adapted their own methods of fighting the elements.  By tucking its long neck down next to the downy feathers of its chest, Elvis was able to block out a good bit of the wind.  Sometimes, the birds will do a similar thing with their legs.  Feathers all fluffed, legs neatly tucked, neck folded to the chest...the bird has this warming thing down to a science!  Hey, Elvis!  Stay warm, my friend!

On the Wing!

It is nice to see the marsh so alive with critters!  This means that it is a healthy place and after the devastation brought on by hurricanes and oil spills this makes me happy!  While I was photographing Elvis, the Tri-colored Heron, Ms. Ez was focused on the marsh.  She could see something that I could not immediately see!  After getting my pictures, I turned to follow her gaze.

 Sure enough, in the marsh about thirty feet from us, there was a Great Blue Heron!  More likely than not, I find these wading in the shallows not hiding in the marsh!  Still, the bird seemed to be seeking a shield from the cold north wind that had picked up overnight.  When I finally spied him, he was hunched down with his feathers fluffed about him.  My first thought was that this bird was ill or injured but by the time we left the pier, he was out striding about the waters hunting breakfast.  Obviously, he had just wanted a bit of time in the warm sunshine before stepping into the cold water!

The Tri-colored and the Great Blue were not the only birds busy in the marshes this morning.  Coming back up the hill, I heard a loud ruckus up in the treetops.  Ahh...Redwinged Blackbirds!   It was not long before the marsh grass was dancing with their bustling and chirping!  These had come home to nest!  Spring must be here!  Hundreds of the birds were bobbing about on the reeds, looking for insects and nesting sites.  As aggravating as these birds can be when emptying the feeders, the group is always a welcome sight when they arrive back home.  The Blackbirds will not nest in a polluted marsh!  My Bayou has come a long way toward healing itself!

Yes, the birds are returning just as others are leaving.  It is a never-ending cycle of migratory birds!  Something always interesting pops in just as the seasons change.  No wonder Ms. Ez and I like our hikes!

Elvis...

Don't ask me why I name the critters of the Bayou..I really cannot answer. It seems as if sometimes, these animals just need a name. Sometimes, there is no rhyme nor reason for the name that I choose..it just happens. Such is the case with Elvis. Elvis comes to visit me quite often when I am on the pier. He begs for handouts and usually receives whatever I can catch. Elvis, you see, is a Tri-colored Heron.

Elvis, the Tri-colored Heron, that lives in the Bayou!

I was on the pier yesterday morning when..sure enough..in flies Elvis! He perched himself on the edge of the pier with his usual hungry look. That morning, though, I did not throw the net for Elvis. There was plenty of small mullet running in the shallows and I figured he needed to catch his own. He edged closer to me as if to nudge me into fishing for him. I sat. "Elvis...you stop being so lazy and go get your own!" He stared at me as if in disbelief! After a bit, Elvis hopped down from the pier and into the shallows along the marsh edge. He busied himself scooping up mullet after mullet and soon forgot about me! He was far too busy!

Elvis has left the area!

After about twenty minutes or so, Ezzy, the dog, and I decided it was coffee time so we headed back to the Little Bayou House. When we neared the edge where Elvis was having breakfast, he did not notice us...that is until Ezzy let out a low..."Woof". I really do not think she meant to startle Elvis but was merely telling him goodbye! Elvis, on the other hand, did not respond well to her nicety! His wings shot out and with a loud squawk, he flew to the other side of the Bayou. Elvis had left the pier! He was not one bit happy with the way the morning had unfolded! The chef had not fixed breakfast to his liking and then some large beast had "Woofed" at him! Life is so difficult when you are the King!