"Bad" Bat! Bad Hawk?

   When Son named the rescued kitten last year, he took the "b" from black and the "at" from cat and squished them together to make "Bat".  He said that it could fit in so many instances from black cat to beautiful cat to big cat to bad cat.  Well, he could have stopped before he got to that last one but it slipped out.  Thus, we have Bat, the cat.  The descriptions fit well.  He is definitely one large, beautiful, black cat but that bad...that bad...oh, geez!

  Actually, Bat is not truly a bad cat.  He is just a cat being a cat.  This morning, that "being a cat" got him a good scolding.  Bat proudly led us to a bird...not just any bird...he brought us right to a dead rail.  Oh, my.  Bat, did you kill that bird??  How in the world could he catch a rail?  Never before have any of our outdoor cats gone hunting in the marsh to find a rail but, well, Bat is not any of our other cats.  He is different, to say the least.  He is definitely a hunter and in just a year's time of teaching himself, he has mastered the art of blending in with his surroundings.  He has the silent walk down pat and can leap far beyond what seems logical.  And...did I mention...he is large...very large...not fat...just one big, muscle-bound cat.  Critters do not stand a chance against him if he takes a notion of smacking them.  

  The photo above is not of the bird that was killed as it was from several years ago.  It was the same type and perhaps one of this one's brood. The killing of any rail saddens me as they are some of my critter friends...thus the scolding.  I cannot be 100% certain that Bat caught the bird but he was suspiciously happy with the "finding" of the...ummm...dead bird.  I buried the little bird in the garden and was returning the shovel to the greenhouse when I heard a ruckus down behind the canebrake.  THAT BAT!!!  I scurried down to the marsh edge to hear yet another rail in distress.  I was ready to smack a cat when a hawk flew up from the mudflat with a bird in its clutches!  Oh, my.  Maybe I scolded Bat to quickly?  Maybe Bat had just found the bird after the hawk dropped it?  Maybe the hawk was the culprit all along?  Well...perhaps the scolding will make Bat think twice about catching a bird.  Probably not.  Bad Cat!!!  Bad Hawk!!  

Another Brood

   After pushing the lawnmower for about three hours, I decided it was time for a break.  It was hot!  But I had cut what I wanted to clear so all was good.  Grabbing a big glass of lemonade and the camera, I headed to the coolest place I could find.  There was a nice breeze blowing off the Bay so the pier was just the place to be.  Meandering down the board path then down the pier, itself, I came to a sudden halt.  A critter friend was out and I did not wish to frighten her.  Mama Rail was on the marsh mats created by the high tides of last week.  This is nothing unusual except for the fact that she was acting a bit strange.  Normally, my friend pays no attention to me and keeps right on hunting for food.  This time, she hunkered down in the marsh and acted like she was in hopes I would not see her.

  Well, that had just the opposite effect.  I NEEDED to know that my friend was alright.  Mama Rail and I have been through far too much for me to ignore her.  So, I sat right there in the middle of the pier for about a half hour sipping my lemonade and watching a bird.

  After a bit, I figured out what was going on with my friend.  She was trying to stay hidden as she had her little ones out for their first time.  The little black fluffballs were squatting near Mama Rail!  Ahh, time to slip on up the hillside and let the bird tend to her babies without any harassment from me.  Mama Rail has a big enough job keeping the brood safe from predators and surely does not need to fret over me.  She will bring the little ones out for me to see soon enough.  Good luck, Little Mama!

Starting a Family!

  Early this morning, the water beckoned and I heeded its call.   Usually when I have this urge, it is because I feel there is a reason.  Either a spectacular sunrise is to occur or some of my critter friends are out and about.  This morning, the rails were busying themselves on the mudflats.  More oft than not, only the little female is foraging for breakfast but, this morning, the happy, little couple were working together.  The pair were cornering bull minnows in tiny pools where they could scoop up their breakfast with ease.  This is the pair that nests just a few feet from the pier.  Each nesting, they bring out their little ones to meet me which is a highlight of the summer for me!

  With rails, the male does most of the work building the nest after the female chooses the site.  The nest is built high enough above the water to assure that it stays dry but low enough to be hidden from most predators.  The male will set to work on the marsh mats that have accumulated by high tides.  He will build a small bowl-shaped nest with a ramp as an entrance.  Then, he builds a dome over this leaving just enough opening so the birds can easily enter. He will continue to add to the "house" even after the eggs are laid.   His ladylove will lay anywhere from two to sixteen eggs before incubating them.  It is not unheard of for her to incubate the eggs during the day and the male to take over for the night. 

  Our little chicks will hatch in about three weeks and leave the nest the same day.  They will be covered with black down which helps to hide them from hawks flying above the marsh.  Both parents will feed the little ones and teach them to forage on their own.  Little Mama will usually have two clutches each breeding season but can have a third if the weather permits.

Being Shy

  At the break of dawn, Mark and I headed to the pier.  Before we got there, Mark suddenly whispered for me to get the camera ready as there "was a bird".  He had spied the little rail out on the mudflats and knew that I would want to photograph her.  Try as I might, I could not get a clear shot of her so we ventured on our way.  The bird scooted under the pier to avoid any close contact with us.  I thought this was a bit strange because never before has she been leery of my presence.  Since the pier was quite frosty and slippery, I opted to stay near the mudflats while Mark made the walk to the end of the pier.  As soon as he was out of sight, the sweet rail came back out from her hiding spot.  Ahh, that was more like it!

  This small bird has been a friend since she was a tiny fledgling.  Her mama brought the brood out for a "meet and greet" when they were just chicks.  This one decided that she sort of liked me and hung around even after her siblings left to find their own territories.  We meet daily...she on the mudflats...me on the pier.  I talk with her while she hunts for breakfast.  This morning was much the same.  She was carefully picking up the tiny killifish and baby blue crabs.  I told her how pretty she looked and even apologized for the red Solo cup that washed in on high tide.  

  All was good until the rail heard Mark's footsteps coming back from the end of the pier.  She lifted her head high, listened then darted back into the marsh.  She was having no part of any intruder!  The unusual actions earlier had now been explained.  The little rail was accustomed to my presence but still had a healthy fear of other humans.  Although Mark would never hurt her, she has no idea who he is so she plays it safe by hiding. 

  We left the little one to her breakfast search after I made a promise to rig a longer handle on my net so I could rid her buffet table of the wayward cup.  The sweet bird does not need trash in her dining room!

Just A Little Bird Friend

  As I have often stated, daybreak is probably my favorite time of the day.  It is then that I can sneak down to the pier to watch the sunrise in peace and do a bit of meditation before the hubbub of the day begins.  The old dog (Mr. PJ) and I sit in silence as the world around us begins to stir.  More oft than not, we find ourselves the audience of any number of spectacular critter visits.  These visits make our time on the pier even more special.

  The other morning, the tide was low making for a feeding frenzy for many shore critters.  Tiny shrimp were hovering in the shallows and some had even become trapped in small divots in the mud.  One fine critter to visit just a few feet from our sitting spot was a small rail. She was so busy in snatching up the tiny shrimp that she never noticed that a dog and human were so close.  Not that it mattered as neither the old dog nor I had any interest in harming the bird.  Even after Mr. PJ sneezed, she continued with her breakfast.  

  The rails often come out of the marsh to visit.  The birds have become special friends of ours and will even bring their little ones out to scamper the mudflats while we are watching.  Our nigh on daily sunrise trips to the pier have caused the rails (and many other critters) to lose their fear of us.  They seem to understand that our presence is not a threat.  This is just another positive part of sharing the Bayou with so many critter friends.

You Do What You Have To Do

  Early morn found me on the pier as usual.  Here lately, I have had to tread carefully when walking the planks as the heavy frost makes things quite perilous.  Slipping into the icy water would not be a happy thing so I tend to slip off the shoes and go in just the socks.  Although the feet get cold, at least the socks keep me from slipping.  Once the bench is reached, the shoes are donned once again and all is well until the return trip.  This morning, the old dog, Mr. PJ, did not make the trek with me.  I figured his paws would get a mite cold so I left him inside next to the wood stove.  While on the pier, I watched as a small rail hunted for her breakfast.  She waded in the ice-cold water in search of tiny shrimp or minnows.  Watching her made me realize that I had it pretty good.  I had my coffee and breakfast inside the Little Bayou House where it was nice and cozy.  The poor little rail (like all other wild animals) have to brave the elements.  Cold, drizzly days must be miserable for them but they carry on and do what it takes to survive.

  As I sat there pondering the little rail and her search for food, I marveled at the fact that she did not seem cold.  Here I was shivering and she waded about as if nothing was different than a few days ago when it was warm.  What keeps that little one's feet and legs from freezing?  Well, it seems that it has something to do with the placement of the veins and arteries in their extremities.  These lie next to each other so the veins carrying the chilled blood back to the body picks up heat from the arteries that are carrying warm blood from the heart.  It sort of evens things a bit.  Waterfowl also have the ability to constrict the veins in their legs and feet so that the blood flow is restricted.  This reduces the heat loss a good bit.  Weird but true.  My feet being dry were probably a lot colder than the rail's as she stood in the water.

  Cold feet?  Yep, off came the shoes and I ever so carefully made my way back up the frosty boards.  Then...shoes back on...mad dash to the house...feet propped up next to the old stove to warm.  Another cup of coffee and I had to head back outside to cut a load of firewood.  I guess I am a lot like that little bird...you do what you have to do.

Not There Yet

  Mr. PJ has been around the Bayou on visits over the past decade or so.  My son and daughter-in-law brought him along on their visits so he is pretty much used to the place...as far as the layout, rules and attention.  He is not used to being a photographer's (and I use that term loosely) dog.  While I may not be the best with the camera, I do enjoy photographing the wildlife here.  The Bayou, woods and hillside offer so many opportunities.   For years now, I have had the camera handy at all times.  When Ms. Ez, the old Bayou Dog, (rest her soul) used to take hikes with me, she knew the routine.  No matter where we were, what she was doing or when it was, she knew if the camera was turned on, she was to freeze in step.  As soon as she heard the button activate, she was as good as a statue.  Many a time, she was in mid-step but would never even put her paw to the ground.  Ms. Ez was a wildlife photographer's dream dog.  Never once was an animal frightened.  Never once did she give chase.  Never once were critters hiding before I even saw them.  She was good.

  While Mr. PJ is well-behaved, he still has not mastered the "statue".  He just keep lumbering along at his same pace.  Earlier this week, a gorgeous egret stood on the mudflats.  I eased my way to the edge of the marsh, turned on the camera and prepared to photograph the bird.  Mr. PJ had not learned the routine so he did what we always do.  He headed down the pier.  While that was not wrong and I could not scold him, it did put a kink in the picture-taking.  The egret saw that big dog and took flight before his second step on the pier!.  I am not even sure PJ saw the bird.  He just kept walking like a dog on a mission.  Granted, I had not asked him to "wait" nor given him the command "stay".  I was so accustomed to Old Ms. Ez automatically knowing that it never occurred to me that I needed to do such.  PJ and I have a lot to learn.

  The next day, a lone pelican sat on a pier post.  As many photographs as I have of pelicans, they are still some of my favorite subjects.  Again, I turned on the camera, pointed it and got a sort of sad picture of the bird in flight.  Mr. PJ just kept lumbering down the pier.  I HAVE to learn to tell him to wait!  My pelican will be back so PJ and I need to practice!.

  This morning, the same thing happened.  I forgot, PJ did not know and another missed photograph.  A small rail was chattering in the marsh.  I got a bit excited as I recognized that call!  This was a mother rail and she had her little ones somewhere nearby.  In my rush to get a good spot to get pictures, I once again omitted to inform Mr. PJ to stay.  I settled in on the old skiff to wait for the family of rails to make an appearance.  PJ, on the other hand, had spotted the otter pups and excitedly made a beeline for his usual otter-watching perch on the pier.  I caught the tailend of the mama rail. 

  Both PJ and I need to get better at this deal.  Teaching an old dog some new tricks is not easy.  Soon, though, I will learn!  I will remember to give the command!  He will soon start to associate my command with the tinkling sound of the camera and will automatically become a statue.  He is just not there yet. I am just not there yet. I was spoiled by Ms. Ez's ability to learn these things on her own without any coaching from me.  Still, even with all of the missed shots, I adore this old dog.  It is great having a hiking buddy again.

The White Flag

  Have you ever sat and pondered why the underside of a lot of critters' tails is white?  Just around the Bayou, I have noticed a good many animals have the trait.  Deer and rabbits are probably the most noticeable but this morning, it finally dawned on me that birds have the same white tuft beneath their tails.  Why??  Well, it is a warning flag.  Once an adult critter recognizes a danger, they flick that white tail like a flag.  This is an alert for their little ones to take cover, freeze in their tracks or flee the area as quickly as they can.  The white tail flick is a universal alarm in the critter world.

  Early this morning, I headed to the pier as usual. My encounter with the cottonmouth a few days earlier left me alert and ready if need be.  Once on the pier, I was able to relax a bit and take notice of what was around me other than watching the placement of my steps.  To my left, a mama rail was busily showing her brood the fine art of catching minnows.  She had brought the youngsters to the perfect place since the mudflats were teeming with stranded minnows.  Small rivulets were alive with minnows trying to escape the ever-shrinking puddle of water.  Low tide is not kind to procrastinators!  Mama Rail snatched up minnow after minnow.  She would immediately drop her catch and call for her little ones.  This was all before she noticed me.  Even though the bird is familiar with me, she flicked that white flag and made the call of alarm.  Her chicks raced under the cover of the pier and were not to be seen.  She continued to feed in the shallows but the little ones stayed put.  

  Mama Rail had just used me as a lesson for her young.  "If I give the warning, you are to take cover and not come back until I call you." she seemed to have told them.  Her lesson had been learned well and her chicks were safe all due to the flick of the white tail.

I Caught One!

  Early this morning, I headed to the pier.  Knowing that a lot of chores awaited my attention, the hike would have to be cut short but the water called.  Near the pier on the mudflats, four rails were busy scooping up bull minnows that were trapped in the tide pools.  The birds hardly noticed my presence and kept on fishing even though I was a mere few feet from them.  

  One young bird was having a particularly tough time catching his fill of bull minnows.  Time after time, he would plunge his bill into the shallow water and come up empty.  The minnows would scatter in the now muddy water and escape being eaten.  After several tries without catching anything, the bird tried a new tactic. He forewent the minnows and went after the fiddler crabs.  The small crabs had buried themselves in the soft mud as protection against the cool night.  Our friendly rail had success in catching its meal with the first attempt.  The tiny crab was not giving up its fight.  It wriggled enough that the rail dropped it twice before snatching the crab and running to the harder mud near the marsh.  There, the bird could drop the crab and stab it. Once it was dead, the rail could pull it apart and devour it.

  Of the four birds that were working the mudflats, only the one was interested in the fiddler crabs.  The other three feasted upon fat bull minnows.  Perhaps the young bird needed a bit more tutoring on the fine art of spearfishing or perhaps it had a taste for crab.  He was pretty excited when he caught that first one!

I Am Not Impressed!

  This morning's hike brought us to the pier just in time to find two rails out on the mudflats.  One, the Mama Rail that has come to know me over the past couple of years was the first out on the flats.  She and I have become quite familiar with each other so my presence does not concern her in the least.   The other was a newcomer which seemed to be a younger male.  Since both males and females look the same, the decision that the youngster was a male was made purely by his actions. He strutted, he preened, he put on a rather extravagant display. While the newcomer was trying his best to garner her attention, Mama Rail seemed to flat out ignore him.

  

  At first, he strutted out onto the flats apparently unaware of Mark and my presence.  He sauntered over to one side and fluttered his wings. Mama Rail took no notice. He made a few barely aduible clacks then fell silent.  He saw us, edged closer to the marsh but refused to show fear in front of his "ladylove".  On the opposite side of the mudflat, he flicked his tail to show the white "alarm system".  Mama Rail did not budge. She was not afraid nor was she impressed by his show.  Poor fellow!  As a suitor, he did not impress.  Mama Rail merely stood steadfast in her little nook and ignored all of his efforts.  Tomorrow, perhaps things will be different but today, she was having no part of his antics. 

  Mama Rail is one of the sweetest birds of the Bayou.  For the past few years, she has brought her brood out on the mudflats while I sit and watch.  It is almost as if she wants to show me her kiddies.  I talk with her and congratulate her on a job well done.  I love this little bird.  

Be Safe, Little One, Be Safe!

  Back during the summertime, I had reasonable amount of concern about the mother rail and her chicks.  Mama had nested near the pier and hatched four of her eggs.  The little black fuzzballs scampered about the marsh and mudflats with great jubilation.  They were the cutest little chicks that I saw all summer.  Sadly, one by one, the chicks disappeared until only one remained.  My concern was that some predator was dining upon the baby chicks and would soon devour all of them.  Just days before I found the chicks, I had seen two quite large watersnakes in the same area.  I worried that those might even decide to make a meal of Mama Rail given the chance.  I watched the mama and her lone chick as they scavenged the mudflats for any tidbits they could find.  I, also,  observed Mama teaching her little one to be wary of intruders.  This gave me hope that the little one would survive.

  A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that the youngster was quite on its own.  It had grown into a handsome bird and was doing well as it fed upon the fiddler crabs.  I assumed that Mama Rail had left it on its own near the pier as she knew there was a good food supply there.  

  Then a new predator came on the scene.  The Cooper's Hawk was seen eyeing the young bird.  This hawk has left its mark on the population of the songbirds in the yard to the point that I have had to stop filling the feeders.  By supplying the birds with a ready source of food, I was also fattening them for the hawk.  While I could at least make an attempt to protect the songbirds, there was not a lot I could do to help the rail.  Hopefully, the hawk will deem the bird a bit too large and have second thoughts about attacking it.  That little rail family has had enough problems.  They do not need to be harassed by the hawk.  Go away, hawk!  Leave my little friend alone!

My, you have such large feet!

  I see a lot of things down near the Bayou.  Critters abound in the marshes and one can get a good view of them by just sitting quietly and waiting.  The pier sits high enough above the marsh grass that it allows for the perfect coverage of what creeps beneath it.  This is where I wait....and wait....until some creature crawls, walks or swims into my view.  Most have no fear of me since I spend a good deal of time there. The birds in particular seem to accept my presence with no qualms. Of these, the rails have come to know me and will actually bring their broods out to feed while I am within just a few feet of them.  They are sure that I mean no harm and probably feel a bit safer with me being there.  

  I pondered the rail, today, as one youngster hunted for his mid-afternoon snack.  Obviously, this little fellow was new at being on his own as he had not perfected the skill of hunting.  He would scamper across the mudflats while chasing fiddler crabs or wade a bit in the shallows hoping to snatch a minnow or two.  He was not having the best of luck.  My thoughts went more to how he was able to move so quickly across the soft mud.  Any other critter would have difficulty staying atop the mushy stuff.  From personal experience (don't ask!), a person would literally sink up to their thighs in the Bayou mud. The rail, like all other shorebirds, have extremely large feet.  Although they are mostly toes, the bird uses its feet for stability.  The toes being splayed outward lets the bird distribute its weight across a greater area thus allowing it to walk on top of the mud.  We, unlike the birds, have our weight centered on relatively small feet.  The small surface area under our feet is not able to support our weight on the softness so we sink.  A rail weighs less than four ounces so the large feet can easily keep the bird from sinking deep into the mud.

  This tiny rail easily tripped across the mud in search of food.  I am happy to say that the bird finally did manage to catch several minnows so his belly was full for the night.  Come morning, he will be on the hunt again and those large feet will serve him well!  

The Peaceful Morn

Despite the chill in the air, Mark and I took Ms. Ez out for her morning run.  As soon as we were out the gate, Mark stopped me and called my attention to a bit of beauty near the pier.  The below freezing temperature had not stopped the egrets from hunting breakfast.  In fact, it most likely helped them by practically handing them minnows.  The north wind had blown the tide far out from the marsh and had exposed the mudflats once again.  In those mudflats, there are small tide pools of trapped water and in those tide pools there are trapped minnows.  Not being able to seek shelter in the marshes, the minnows were made sluggish by the icy waters.  They could hardly swim which made them easy targets for the egrets.

Seeing the egrets was not that unusual as, on any given day, I can usually spy ten or so around the Bayou.  What excited me was the fact that these were two different types of egrets that seemed to be working together to snag their breakfast.  A Great Egret and a Snowy Egret both fished side by side in the frigid water.  As I was snapping picture after picture, I noticed something else creeping into view!  Now I had three different birds working the same tiny pool!  A rail had ventured out of the marsh and fished right alongside of the larger birds.  Wow!  How neat that the three could coexist without squabbles!  (Makes you wonder just why we, as humans, cannot do the same.)

I was just about to pull back the camera when I saw yet another unusual pair.  Near the edge of the pier, a dove sat fluffed out against the cold wind.  Inches away, another rail searched the mud for any movement.  These, too, were on friendly terms.  I had to photograph those as well. All in all, I must say that it was a very happy morning for me!  I was thrilled with the opportunity to not only view the peacefulness that these birds showed to one another but to be able to capture on film the amicability of the group.

My Quirky Little Friend!

If you recall, I made a "junking" trip here a few weeks back. It was quite the experience as I encountered the typical "salesman" who tried to sell me all sorts of "quite exquisite" articles none of which appealed to me whatsoever. His spiel left me cold! I did however find the perfect piece out "behind the barn" so to speak. Left out in the weather was a rather sturdy end table that I envisioned as an art piece..and so it was purchased for a paltry $10! The table was mine! Once Mark carted it home for me, I set to work to make this a trash-to-treasure work of art! (To see the "before" picture, visit the post "The Queen of Spain" from February 6, 2012.)

A fresh coat of paint improved the table tremendously!

The weather had already loosened the finish so a light sanding made the end table workable. There was no need to prime coat the wood since I would be painting a picture directly on the tabletop. Early one morning this past week, I sat and watched the Rail fish for breakfast. This little shorebird was to become the inspiration for the artwork on the table. I have a tendency to paint pictures of things from the Bayou because that is what I know best. Observing the critters allows me to know their funny little quirks and it is those movements that give these art pieces their charm. That is exactly what this little rail had...charm..and lots of it!

A portrait of my friendly Rail adorns the tabletop!

Today saw the finishing of the table. All that is left is to apply a few coats of paste wax and this table can be declared a completed art work. I am not sure if it would ever appeal to anyone else but to me..it personifies a little part of my Bayou. My quirky little friend's likeness is now preserved for viewing by those folks who do not get to dawdle around in the marsh! Hopefully, I can share my Bayou by illustrating it one critter at a time! Time to start the next image!

A closeup of the tabletop!

On the menu...waterbugs!

I worry sometimes just a tad too much about the critters on the Bayou. I have taken to feeding most everything that flies, crawls or slithers through the area and that, perhaps, is not necessary. I am quite sure that these animals got along rather well without my help back in the day. Still, I feel the need to supply handouts when the weather is not agreeable. For the past few days, the feeders have stayed well-stocked regardless of the numerous animals that made their way to them to get breakfast and supper. Even the waterbirds have come to realize that when I am on the pier, they will get a bit of help in finding their meals if needed. At least, I try. Most of the time, that help is not needed.

Pretty little rail hunting for breakfast!

There is a beautiful little rail that comes to visit occasionally if I sit very quietly on the end of the pier. She will venture out of the marsh grass and hunt for minnows or crabs in the shallows. If I have any handouts she will scoop these up appreciatively. She always keeps me in her sight but seems to have no fear. I suppose she knows that she can escape at any given time. She is much quicker than I would ever hope to be. I found out just how fast she is, today, as I tried to photograph her while she fished. I had hoped to get an "action" shot of her catching a minnow. I did..sort of...maybe...if you count that blur of her head as a good picture!

Snatch! And she has her prey!

I first noticed my little friend as Ezzy and I were on our way back to the house. There was a slight mist still falling from the overnight rains and it was enough to send us packing. The north wind caused that mist to bite! As we headed up the pier, a slight movement caught my eye..there in the marsh edge was the rail! She tilted her head as if to get a better look at the two strange beings on the pier. Ezzy stopped in her tracks..she knows to freeze if I hoist the camera. At first, the rail was a bit cautious of the flash of the camera. It was still a bit before sunrise and far too dark to take the pictures without the added light. After the third picture, though, she went about her business oblivious of my shenanigans! In the blear of the early morning mist, she stared into the water..watching..carefully watching for any wiggle that would indicate a bit of breakfast..then SNATCH! She had a bite-sized waterbug! With one quick toss of the head, the bug was down her throat and she was back hunting. Time and time again, she darted after the waterbugs and minnows. She was faster than they were and much, much quicker than my photography skills!

The rail's dagger like beak is used to grab bugs and minnows from the water.

I sat there for about twenty minutes before realizing that I was now soaking wet! The mist had turned to a fine rain and Ms. Ez and I were literally shaking with the cold! Time to head to the house for a hot mug of coffee for me and a warm blanket for Ezzy! The little rail will have to fend for herself this morning!

The rail's coloring makes it blend well with the marsh grass and provides protection!

Birding!

Shelby keeping a watchful eye..for wherever I move!

Knox looking big an brave until another Mockingbird approaches..

Just about daybreak, I will head out to my chair in the yard to watch the world come to life. The birds seem to start the process with their chirping that after a few minutes evolves into full-blown singing. I have been watching the birds a lot lately if for no other reason than to keep the neighborhood adult Mockingbirds from totally mangling the two juveniles that were in my foster care. I released them this week only to watch them be smacked about a good bit by the locals. It seems that the Mockingbirds are the only ones that are this territorial. I know that this is only because there are three nests of young birds that have just flown. Bugs are scarce so the adults do not want the competition of two more hungry mouths. Knox and Shelby, the two fostered birds, don't have enough "street smarts" as of yet so they seem to ask for trouble from their neighbors. And trouble has no problem finding them. If any bird of any species happens to fly near, they begin to chirp and their mouths fly open like they were babes. More often than not, the bird ignores the two and go on its merry way. There is one pair of Cardinals that will actually poke a bug in the gaping mouths of the two young Mockingbirds. I think the Cardinals just do this to get them to shut their mouths!

Baby Red-headed Woodpecker leery to come to the feeder.

Like I said, I have been watching the birds a lot. Today, there was a newbie at the feeder. I wish Hubby would have been here as it was a baby Red-headed Woodpecker. He loves the Red-heads! This is actually the first time that I have witnessed a baby Red-head come to the feeder. This one still had its "baby feathers" and did not have its red head. There were just a few red feathers that made it identifiable! If it had not been for the ever-present parent birds, I might not have been able to recognize this as a Red-head. It seems that we have more Red-Headed Woodpeckers this year than ever before. Just a few years back, I can remember that I would go all summer without viewing a single one and now there are four pairs that visit the feeders. Yes, there is the usual squabbling about who gets what feeder but usually they resolve their differences and get along pretty well. The little one was a bit leery about coming so close to me but finally it was convinced that I was not a threat and it made a beeline for the feeder with the peanuts. It would carefully take one out and then fly to the ground to eat the nut. The Red-headed was in competition for the feeder with the young Red-bellied Woodpecker. Both seemed to want the peanuts! The Red-bellied would take its peanut to a hole in the driftwood post, insert it in the hole and then proceed to crack it open. This went on for about twenty minutes before both obviously got their fill. The Red-bellied headed to the birdbath while the Red-headed went back to its perch in the dead pine tree.

He finally made it!

This evening, I watched the little rail as she puddled around on the mud flats and in the tidal pools hunting for bull minnows. She would dart this way and that way chasing whatever would wiggle. Finally after a bit, she plopped down in the water and sent up a shower of droplets. Ezzy, the dog, and I sat watching her splash about in the water for a few minutes before we headed to the end of the pier to check the crab traps.

A rail fishing for her supper!

Patience!

Recently several people have asked my advice on cameras and nature photography. I could make up some really important sounding advice to give them but I am quite sure that would not help one bit. Not that they would not follow the advice.. following it would be the problem. I have no clue about cameras nor the proper method of photography. I just take pictures when I see something that strikes my fancy and hope to goodness that the picture turns out well! To my way of seeing things, there is no set method. There are only two things that come to mind that might help ..patience and well..maybe only one..more patience. If you grab the camera and set out with the big idea of photographing "wildlife" you better be referring to some frat party, bar-scene or college football tailgate gathering. That type of "wildlife", I am quite sure, would pose for you. You, as the photographer, would not have to worry about frightening your subjects (although some of those subjects might frighten me!). In photographing the true wildlife (nature), it is more happenstance. You have to be in the right place at the right time. In my case, I take walks every day so that my animal subjects become used to my presence. These animals soon began to realize that you are not going to hurt them so they allow you to get a bit closer. They are more or less my friends and I am sure you have noticed that I refer to them as my "Bayou friends". I must stress though that I do not make pets of them since that would so interfere with the eco-life of the Bayou. I do set out birdseed and do hand feed the Night Heron minnows, but nothing else. I want the critters in their natural setting..that is where I find the beauty of it.

As for the type of camera to use..I have no clue! My cousin takes phenomenal nature photos with her phone! I have a camera that my husband bought for me five years ago. It is a Sony Cybershot 5.1MP Digital Camera with 12x "Steady Shot" Zoom and I do have the Sony VCL-DH1758 Tele Conversion Lens. Huumph! Now, if you can make heads or tails out of that..have at it! I have no idea what in the world all of that means! After five years of ownership..I am still learning all the bells and whistles of this thing! I would love to say that I know what I am doing and I would love to be able to help anyone with their photography, but I honestly do not think my pictures are of any of my doing! I just have willing participants! My Bayou friends have come to know me and I believe they actually pose for the camera! I have no other explanation for the shots that I get! Take the little Rail in the shots here..she actually brought her brood out to meet me! I was just sitting on the pier when I noticed her come out not twenty feet from me. She stopped, looked at me and then called to her young to come out of the marsh. My son and daughter were there with me and I know the bird saw us as we were talking and giggling at the antics of the young birds.

So, yes, it has a lot to do with being patient, but also with making yourself known to the animals. I find if I "sneak" around to get shots..it never happens. I am relaxed, therefore, the animals and birds are relaxed. So definitely..patience and timing!

Rails and gourds

I was so afraid that some critter roaming the marsh made supper of my little King Rail. (And if it is a female why is she not a "Queen Rail"?) Last night, I heard her just a fussing at some intruder and then all went quiet..too quiet. My heart sank as I imagined some diabolical foe stalking this sweet little hen. Locally we call these "Marsh Hens"..which makes a lot of sense as they remind me of little chickens and they..well..live in the marsh. This morning, I fully expected to find feathers on the mud flats around the pier. A fox? A 'possum? A bobcat? Any of these could have easily had a hankering for a "chicken" dinner and pounced upon my little rail. But..no feathers could be found. Thank goodness! As we wandered back up the pier, my husband motioned for me to look at the marsh edge. There peeping out was my little hen! She had survived the night terrors and came to greet us. I was elated to see her..it is funny how attached I become to critters in my Bayou!

This morning was filled with the usual drudgery of housework and laundry but come the afternoon, I was able to steal a little time to work on gourds. The brain was clicking! Another lamp would soon emerge from its gourd beginnings. This one is a bit more elaborate than the first one..I am getting braver! I worked a design on one side and then tried to duplicate it on two more sides giving it a three sided effect. Try as I might, I could not get it to come out even. There was always something a little off..erase..and start over. Still crooked..erase..start over. Finally, I made a big discovery! Gourds are not symmetrical! I knew that..what was I thinking! Or what was I not thinking! I drew the pattern on the three sides and said "phooey" on

symmetry! I consoled myself with "that is what is the appeal of something handmade!" Well..this is definitely "handmade" and it shows! I cut the design in and burned some holes here and there and ta-dah!..a lampshade is born! Several good coats of paint and it was time to try the light. This is the part that I always like the best! I love to see what design the light will cast on the wall behind the lamp and this one actually was delightful. The swirls and dots were almost mesmerizing! Oooh this one makes me happy!