With the lack of a winter and the sudden onset of springlike weather, the critters of the Bayou stand in a state of confusion. Birds are nesting, frogs and toads are beginning their nightly serenading and those snapping turtles are creepy-crawling about the mudflats. It is those snapping turtles that gave me a cause to ponder this morning. Knowing that the turtles can flat out disappear under the soft mud whenever they choose, it is a wonder that more of the docile critters are not injured.
Today, a lone Great Egret fished along the marsh edge. It was wading in just a few inches of water and would occasionally step up onto the mudflats. In the water, it would shuffle its feet hoping to stir up some tiny minnow or crab. Then the bird would make a quick snatch and have a bit of breakfast. Those long spindly legs gave me worry, though. As the egret made its way up on the mudflat where one particularly large snapping turtle had been seen earlier, I fretted over those legs. Let one misstep occur and that turtle might have broken a leg in two pieces. Thankfully, that did not happen...at least while I was watching.
Pondering further, I had the realization that a tradedy of this sort may have been what befell our dear, old friend, Skipper Hopper. Two years ago, we befriended and helped a Great Blue Heron that was severely injured. Its ankle had been broken and, now, I am about certain that a snapping turtle might have been the culprit that did the foul deed. In all likelyhood, the bird probably tread a bit too close to a submerged snapping turtle and the turtle did not take too kindly to the intrusion. One quick clamp of those powerful jaws could surely have inflicted the injury that the poor bird suffered.
As I sat watching the egret, my mind wandered back to Skipper Hopper. The egret was so engrossed in its feeding that I am positive that it was not thinking about the dangers that could lurk beneath the very mud where it was walking. Life is not easy for the critters of the Bayou.
Son and I were on the pier earlier when an old friend came to visit. A few months back, a young Great Blue Heron was in dire need of a helping hand. It had obviously been wounded (either by alligator or human). Its foot had nigh on been amputated and was highly infected. The poor bird was unable to hunt for its supper. It was starving to death. I immediately called the animal rescue and received an unsatisfactory answer. "Let it alone. It most likely will die but there are lots of herons so the loss of one won't matter." How cruel! I thought to myself that this was no animal "rescue" at all. This made me more determined than ever to help the bird. We all chipped in and caught plenty for the bird to eat. It survived. It thrived. Regardless of the never healing foot, the bird lived and became a permanent fixture in the area.
This was the same bird that came to visit today. Dubbed "Skipper-Hopper by Darling Daughter and her husband, the heron has grown. It now has its adult plumage and is gorgeous. If one did not know better, the heron seems like a perfectly healthy bird.
All of this just goes to show that, occasionally, a helping hand is needed. This friend in need has become a friend indeed. Today the bird showed me how it can catch mullet and feed itself. We will still offer it assistance whenever it comes to visit but at least we know it can survive. I will NEVER ignore an animal in need and believe "the loss of one won't matter." All life matters.
Just a week ago, I would not have given two cents of a chance to live for the injured heron. The bird was just in that bad of shape. Not only was its foot nearly severed at the ankle, it was necrotic. I was afraid that infection had set in and it was going to spread throughout the bird's body. The wounds on its breast and under the wings were still open and bloody. My friend looked weak. By the looks of the bird, it had not eaten in quite some time. This injured bird had been refused by the wildlife rescue as "too hard to catch" and deemed unworthy of their efforts because "there are a lot of herons." To me, the loss of one is far too many. I like the herons.
Now, though, things have changed for the better. All of the folks who live near me have kind hearts, obviously. The bird is being fed at each house it visits and is given refuge wherever it wishes to spend the night. Not one person has complained about the bird staying overnight on their porch or pier. We have all come to view the bird as "our bird". No, we are not caging, confining or otherwise constraining the bird. It is free to come and go as it pleases. Yes, we do feed it fish, shrimp and anything else it wishes to eat. We do this not because we want to keep it as a pet but rather that we wish it to have a life. This bird is important.
When on the pier this afternoon, catching mullet for our friend (Skipper-hopper as named by Elizabeth and Robbie!), I noticed a big difference in the health of the heron. It was no longer emaciated and, although it still favored the foot, it seemed much stronger. I believe the bird will survive and thrive as long as it has friends and I am positive the friends are here to stay.
As for the bird being difficult to catch.....hogwash! I am not skilled in such areas as grabbing a huge bird but, hey, it does come right up to get mullet from my hand. Anyone who is supposed to be trained should not find it an unattainable task to nab the bird. I think the tall, gawky bird lost out to some cute little squirrel by the rescue team. Furry animals are cuter and will draw more donations whereas a "dime a dozen", run-of-the-mill heron just takes up time. All I can say is, those folks don't know what they are missing by not befriending this bird! It is such a sweetie! Hang in there, Skipper-hopper!
