"We need 500 of these quickly!"

   Yes, indeed.  We do.  Darling Daughter made that comment when I sent a (poor) photograph of the Eastern Kingbird and told her that there were several in the yard doing fantastic aerobatic maneuvers around the old, dead oak tree.  I was a bit entranced by the birds' antics and figured there had to be a specific reason behind their actions. I watched as long as I could before I had to make a dash to the house due to being eaten alive by mosquitoes!  It was time for a bit of research on the type of bird and what it may be doing.  I found that the Eastern Kingbird eats those dratted mosquitoes!  Needless to say, I was elated but I continued reading and soon became even happier!  It seems that the birds love to eat swarming termites!  Oh, happy day!  These birds are heroes!

  By this time, it was just about dark.  I sent the photograph to Elizabeth and told her of my recent study.  Her comment was almost a desperate plea..."We need 500 of these quickly!"  Yep, the termites were swarming with a vengeance at her place.  She and Robbie were vacuuming termites from their house in hopes to rid the place of some.  That is when I decided to check our "outdoor termite light".  Oh, goodness!  To explain, years ago, I found that termites were attracted to lights so in the midst of "lights out" inside, a shop light was rigged far down the hillside in hopes that perhaps the critters would mosey on down there.  It worked!  Last night when I checked the light, thousands of termites were swirling under the light!  We literally had a termite cyclone down there!  What made it better was lizards and frogs were devouring many of the bugs!  Oh, yeah!  This was good. 

  I now figured out that the Kingbirds were catching the termites as they were coming out of the old oak tree to swarm. For two hours before dusk, the birds did their aerial stunts while consuming the termites. I hope the birds stick around and reproduce here.  I welcome them all!  Should I mention that I love Eastern Kingbirds?  

  Note...the photograph of the termites was taken from an upstairs window.  What appears to be a small tree decorated with white lights is definitely something far more sinister!  That is the shop light facing downward with a cyclone of termites flying underneath.  The light is glinting off their wings making interesting patterns albeit a bit disturbing when you know that those wings are attached to critters that are eating the houses down here on the Coast.

The Heroes are Flying!

   There are always some people who will whine about anything and everything.  It is almost to the point where people are going to start complaining about oranges being orange.  Never in my days have I witnessed so much stupidity.  The past couple of years has proved to provide some of the most head-scratching events to ever take place...and it is most likely going to get worse before it gets any better.  Granddad always used to say that life, in general, is like one big pendulum.  Things are all fine and dandy while that bob is on the upswing but, then, people get so used to being handed everything that it causes a downswing.  On that downswing, the whining and complaining begins until the bob hits rock bottom.  Hopefully, commonsense takes over before then but I sure do not count on it.  

  Recently, a group had the nerve to take a swing at the Hurricane Hunters aka 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.  Don't mess with my heroes!  The fine folks that operate those planes are what keep us safe from storms and THAT is important to those who live in hurricane zones.  Without the bravery of each and every one, we would be in the total dark about incoming storms.  Just do not mess with them.  You go do your whining somewhere else because it is not wanted down here.   We are proud of the work done by our beloved Hurricane Hunters and will gladly set you straight if you dare to be ugly.  Better take it elsewhere.

  

Behind the Roar

  Here lately, it seems that large engines can be heard constantly running over at the air base across the Bay.  Keesler Air Force Base is the home of the incredible "Hurricane Hunters" and the engines I hear are the planes being readied for the upcoming hurricane season.  Yes, that does not start for a while yet but the crews are never idle.  They are always honing their skills in protecting us.  By day, I watch the planes as they takeoff, fly overhead and then come back to land.  They fly low so I get a good view of the underside of the planes.  If I happen to be on the pier, they will fly directly above me so taking photographs is easy.  By night, I listen to the loud roar of the engines and marvel at the power that can make the windows rattle a bit.  For a while, this noise will be a near round-the-clock. 

  Several years ago, I had a visitor at the Little Bayou House and was asked how I could tolerate the planes.  This was a young cousin from out of state and he had no idea just how important the planes and their crews are to us here on coastal regions.  Once I sat down with him and showed him the history behind the unit, he no longer seemed to be bothered but more intrigued by the roar.  I told him how the crew not only flies into the midst of even the strongest hurricanes to collect data but, also, do the same with winter storms.  He and I talked for some time about the bravery and intelligence it takes to do such a job and how lost we would be without them.  He turned to me and said "Boy, I was stupid to complain about the engine noise!  Now that I know how many lives they probably save, those planes can roar all they want!"  I simply agreed with him.

  Although hurricane season does not start until June 1st, there have been storms develop far earlier so I am pleased to hear the roar of engines and rattling of windows.  Those heavy planes carry some mighty important people and we should all be appreciative of their efforts.  To the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Thank you!  Just know you are fully appreciated by the folks sitting on their piers across the Bay watching your flights!  Keep up the great work!

Pelican Andy....

I write a lot about the wildlife on the Bayou because..well..that is what I am around most of the day..wildlife. I have posted time and again about the many pelicans that often visit the Bayou..they are my friends. Today's local newspaper ran an article about a pelican and some heroic (in my eyes) men. As the story unfolds we learn that a tugboat crew on board the Lesli M. observed a Brown Pelican acting peculiarly. These kindhearted men managed to catch the poor bird and inspect him a bit closer. The bird was in deep trouble as it had two steel fishing hooks attached together with a leader line embedded in its body. The crew worked as a team to hold the bird and cut the hooks from its body. This done, they contacted wildlife rehabilitation center and a veterinarian to find help for the bird. With advice from the vet, they decided to continue giving aid to the pelican. The first attempts at feeding him were met with unsatisfactory results..obviously this pelican did not like bread and eggs nor did he like canned sardines! He wanted fresh food! The crew's family became involved and even peeled shrimp for the bird! Between the shrimp and fresh mullet as meals, the pelican was soon on the road to recovery! He still comes by occasionally asking for a handout but the crew insists that he needs to return to the wild. Good job, crew of the Lesli M.! A big thank you to David Toepfer, Timmy Lafontaine and John Paske from wildlife lovers everywhere! You are heroes in our eyes! Andy, the pelican, can once again catch mullet!

A Brown Pelican much like the one rescued by a tugboat crew!

Although this is the "feel-good" story of the day, there is also the unintentional "feel-bad" side. This Brown Pelican was one of the lucky ones. What happens to the many more animals that become entangled in discarded fishing equipment? True, this line most likely was accidentally lost and not intentionally snared into the bird, but there is a very simple way to prevent long-term injury to animals in this situation. A simple rule of "No Steel Hooks and No Steel Leaders" especially in inland waters could possibly be a remedy to such a problem. Personally, I use hooks that rust out in just a few days if left in the salt water. This is done specifically so if a fish breaks my line and takes the hook, I do not have to fret over the fact that the hook will cause permanent damage. I have seen far too many of my animal friends in severe pain from the carelessness of so called fishermen. Pop always use to say, "Take care of Nature and it will take care of you." Please fishermen (and fisherwomen!) fish responsibly! Be a true sportsman and do not needlessly harm the critters that inhabit our waterways! True..I do fish and I am all for eating seafood, but I am careful not to needlessly harm the other fish, birds and animals in the area. What we do..how we fish..impacts the future of the bays and bayous. Use biodegradable fishing line and leaders and always use a fish hook that will rust out in a few days. When you think about it..this makes sense. If you protect the fish, birds and animals of the waters, there will always be a ready supply when you wish to try your hand at catching a few. If you don't do your part, eventually the bays and bayous will become barren.

A beautiful Brown Pelican like the one entangled in fishing line and hooks that was rescued by the crew of the Lesli M.

To read the full story of Andy, the Pelican and his rescuers please visit the SunHerald at http://www.sunherald.com/2011/11/04/3554253/tugboat-workers-save-a-pelican.html

Memorial Day

How many people actually even realize just what Memorial Day is supposed to be. There are those that just think it is another three-day weekend..a chance to pull out the grill..an opportunity to be with friends..an excuse to get drunk. Does anyone recognize that it is to honor those that gave their lives so that we as a free country can do all of these things? The men and women of the Armed Forces that gave their lives fighting for freedom should be honored..there should be a time that we all reflect on just what we were given by these unselfish heroes. Very rarely do towns have parades, organized programs, or even just play Taps on the so-called Memorial Day of today. Many graves of the Fallen Heroes go untouched..unforgotten..unvisited. Does anyone even know that the red poppy represents the blood of the Fallen Soldier? How many folks will actually hang out the American Flag..say the Pledge of Allegiance or stand at attention during the National Anthem..not many. What has happened to Patriotism in this country???

It is far too easy since the National Holiday Act was passed in 1971, to view this weekend as just another holiday to have a picnic with the family or friends. A picnic is good..but did anyone say a prayer of thanks for those courageous men and women. The passing of this act did nothing but make it easier to become distracted from the true meaning of Memorial Day. It actually did nothing but detract from the very meaning of the day. All true Americans should in some way honor those that died to give us freedom, for without them..where would we be..surely not living as we do. The saying.."Freedom is not free." says it all...it is not free..it is perhaps the most costly of all privileges. The nonchalant attitude of the nation today shows the lack of gratitude and respect due to not only the Fallen Heroes but to all of the Armed Forces.

Hang out "Old Glory", sing patriotic songs, visit the gravesite of a soldier, wear a red poppy, or better yet..buy one of the handmade paper red poppies as the proceeds go toward helping disabled Veterans. Even if it is only a moment of silence during your usually rowdy cookout..do something to memorialize those brave and valiant heroes. God Bless America and God Bless those who keep it free.

Heroes

Hero..a person of distinguished courage or ability, someone admire for brave deeds and noble qualities.

Today being Veterans' day, we should honor the brave heroes that have fought to keep our country safe. Those who put their lives on the line to give us freedom. Elmer Davis said it best when he stated that "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." Truer words were never spoken..our brave soldiers are what keep this land free. Another saying is that "Freedom is never free." It is definitely not free. The cost of freedom is found in the blood of the Veterans that were wounded or died in defense of this country. The cost of freedom is found in the physical duress that our soldiers must endure through training and during wartime. The cost of freedom is found in the mental stress that the soldiers encounter during deployment. The cost is found in so many ways and our soldiers carry it all on their broad, able shoulders. They are heroes. True heroes. I am proud to be an American..proud to live in the "Land of the Free"..proud that my son, Mark, is in the Military! To Veterans, I simply say "Thank you." I could never even begin to repay you for all you have given this country and to me. I can only say that I proudly fly my flag in your honor. I am humbled by your loyalty, bravery and integrity. You have given us the hope to envision a world as it should be..a world of freedom..a world of peace. You..each of you..is a true hero and should be lauded as such.

My daughter-in-law, Joanna, gave me this Thomas Kinkade print called "Heading Home" several years ago. It hangs in my dining room and every time I pass it, it causes me to think of our soldiers past and present. With so many still overseas, please pray for their safe return.