Windy Days, High Tides and Silly Birds!

   For the past few days, there has been some sort of weather system in the Gulf that has been pounding us with strong easterly winds that pushed the water way up higher than usual.  This high tide presented its share of problems with securing the skiff and with knocking loose a few of the pier boards.  Thankfully, none of the boards were lost as they were simply washed over to my brother's yard.  Once the tide recedes, they will be hauled back and another attempt at finishing the repairs will take place.  This was damage from Hurricane Zeta last fall and here we are looking at another system already.  The hurricane season was started a month early to compensate for what the forecasters are calling a "busy" year.  Great.  Just great.

  Not all is bad with the wind and high tides.  At least, there are no gnats as those rascals have been blown to parts unknown.  That is fine by me.  Now if the wind could possibly do something about the mosquitoes and deer flies, I would be one happy camper.  Speaking of happy campers, the egrets are taking full advantage of the tide being pushed well into the yard.  With the high tide, small fish and minnows are also up well into the yard.  The egrets and herons are "wade-fishing" on the grass!  While Son and I watched several egrets were snapping up minnows and, Moe, the Great Blue Heron awkwardly chased a mullet that had somehow found its way onto the grass. The birds were getting plenty to eat today!

  The tide will be up until the storm goes inland then, hopefully, things will settle down a bit.  It has been a windy week and I am ready for a change.  I have a lot of chores needing to be done that just cannot be safely tended with tropical storm force winds whipping about the place all day.  Until then, I will sit back, enjoy the gnatless days and the show put on by the birds.  

A Storm is Brewing

  If you live on a Bayou or any body of water for that matter, it is not a bad idea to check the weather forecast now and again.  Recently, I read a report that the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season was going to be rather active.  Here, any storm has the potential of dealing a hefty blow and it is best to be prepared.  There is a wise saying of "For storms, it is best to be prepared...not scared."  Makes good sense, when you think about it.  Storms of all strengths come and go.  They barrel across the Gulf and smack the Bayou with a vengeance at times.  Those are entities to be dealt with seriously.  Preparations need to be made well in advance.  Then, there are those like the squall that is to hit tonight and tomorrow.  Other than pulling in the fishing gear, little is to be done so we sit and wait for it to pass.  These are, more or less, minor nuisances with a good bit of wind. 

  This morning at daybreak, the horizon foretold of the upcoming squall. Thick, heavy clouds rolled in from the Gulf and soon completely blocked the sun from view.  Southerly winds blew the tides well up in the marshes again but by tomorrow those marshes will be flanked by mudflats as the north wind will shove the water far out of the Bay. Tonight, the rains will start and there will be a sudden shift in the wind direction.  The threat this time will be coming from the north.  Our weather, today, is just a forerunner of the real system.  A friend came, once again, for her "fishing therapy".  We sat on the pier through several spotty rain showers and the blustery winds.  The tempest will arrive much later in the night and hang around throughout the day tomorrow with the incoming cold front.  Regardless of the direction of the storm, it is best to be alert....be prepared...not scared.  (You know, I like that saying.  It is a good, no nonsense approach!)