Hiding Beneath The Oak

  Late this afternoon, thunder rolled in the distance.  Knowing that Mr. PJ does not like the rain, I decided that it might be prudent to get him down the hillside, let him do his business and get him back inside before any rainstorm caught us.  Well, that was the plan, at least.  Once we reached his "preferred spot", I got a bit distracted.  A bird caught my full attention and I promptly forgot the possibility of a storm.  I, also, forgot the dog.  He sat patiently while I tromped through the palmettos to get a clear shot of the bird.

  Back up to the first inkling that something interesting was occurring in the marsh.  A fleeting glimpse of a heron quickly evacuating the spot was my first clue.  The bird squawked as it went westward.  It seemed to be a bit too noisy for just an ordinary flight.  That bird was trying to distract me and lure me from the spot.  That meant one thing...a youngster was hiding in the area.

  Sure enough after just a few moments, I spied the little one.  A young Yellow Crowned Night Heron was hidden beneath the old oak tree.  This tree has several branches that swing low over a small pool of water that lies between the marsh and shoreline.  The pool attracts many tiny crustaceans and minnows which are perfect for a young bird.  These critters are more or less trapped in the pool making it easy for a youngster to practice his fishing skills.  This bird still had his "camouflage-wear" of speckled feathers.  He blended quite well with his surroundings!

  The setting allowed me to get great photos of the young bird without making it feel too ill at ease.  Eventually, I apologized for the intrusion and eased my way back up to where the old dog patiently waited.  He was almost oblivious of my absence and the rains held off so all was well.  

The Little Visitor!

  Sometimes things I find about the Bayou just make me smile.  It is not an easy life for the critters that live in and around the marshes as predators lurk around every corner.  It is hard for any of the critters to ever reach maturity since baby animals are easy targets.  This goes for both mammals and birds.  Before the youngsters can defend themselves, more oft than not, it is the mother that has to defend her brood.   Other little ones are left alone for hours at a time which opens them to attack quite often.  Predators of all types are hunting for an easy meal and those unattended tykes fit the ticket.  So it is always a happy moment when I happen across a youngster dabbling about the Bayou.  This means that life will go on for at least a while longer.

  This morning, Ms. Ez, the Bayou Dog, and I headed to the pier bright and early.  For the past few morns, it has been unseasonably cool making our adventures even more pleasant.  As we headed down the board path, Ms. Ez's ears perked up telling me that some critter was near.  My eyes were having a bit of difficulty with the morning's bleak lighting to find what she knew was there.  I slowed the pace so we would not frighten whatever was afoot.  This slow pace gave Old Mr. Sun just enough time to throw a few rays of light across the marsh.  The pier was lit enough for me to see just who our visitor was.  Ahhh, a young lad of a Yellow-crowned Night Heron stood gazing back at me!  What a beauty this fellow was!  The juvenile still wore his speckled plumage that told me that he was of this summer's hatchings.  Such a strong young bird was he!

  The Yellow-crowned Night Herons are some of my favorite of the wetlands birds.  They are easily befriended and will actually allow themselves to be handfed.  This makes my visits to the pier delightful! Even Ms. Ez behaves herself as to allow the bird to come nearer.  She knows that if she jumps or bounds the bird will take flight.  That means no extra treats of menhaden for her as well being as I reward her for her patience.  Usually, the Yellow-crowned Night Herons dine upon the fiddler crabs that inhabit the mudflats but they are not above begging for a free handout of menhaden. 

  My early morning encounter was the highlight of my day.  Any little tyke that survives the perils of the Bayou gives hope that life will continue.  It also is a sure sign that the Bayou is healthy and has an abundant food supply.  This little fellow also means that I will have another beggar hanging about the pier!