Getting to know the Tricolored Heron!

  Early this afternoon, a odd looking bird sat on one of the pier posts.  This needed to be investigated so I headed down the board path.  Once on the pier, I realized that this was not an unusual bird at all but rather one that was in an odd position.  A tricolored heron had been preening itself and I caught sight of it as its head was beneath its wing.  Well, there was nothing to do but take a few pictures then head back to the warmth of the Little Bayou House.  A cool spell has hit the Bayou and the brisk north wind was chilling me to the bone.  One last look proved that the bird was hunkering down against the wind, as well.  Let's get to know our birdy friend! Here are some facts that I find interesting!

1.  Tricolored Herons are the only dark heron that has a white belly!

2.  Tricolored Herons love to wade belly-deep to forage for food!

3.  Tricolored Herons were once called Louisiana Herons!

4.  Tricolored Heron males' breeding plumage is blue and their beaks turn blue, as well!

5.  Tricolored Herons prefer feeding alone and will defend their territory against others!

6.  Tricolored Herons are usually solitary birds except during breeding season.  Then, they nest in huge colonies!

7.  Tricolored Herons eat small fish, crustaceans, insects, frogs, lizards, salamanders, tadpoles and spiders!

8.  Tricolored Herons are one of the most abundant herons in the Deep South!

9.  Tricolored Herons try to disguise themselves if threatened.  They will often submerge their heads and necks in water as if to appear being a log or (if in the marsh) they will stand erect with their beak pointed in the air as if to appear being a reed!  

10.  Tricolored Herons do a "dance" during courtship.  They neck stretch, bow, bill click and do circular display flights!

  Now that you know a bit about our fine-feathered friends, search for them along coastal areas.  They prefer bayous, marshes, bays, swamps, streams and occasionally fresh water ponds.  They are easily recognizable by that white belly!  (The last photo is from 2012 but it shows the bird really well so I decided to include it today.)

Standing Tall!

  Today was a drizzly, almost rainy day that kept me inside.  Other than an occasional quick run with the old dog, I spent the day on the top of a ten foot stepladder as I am painting the living room walls.  For the first time in my entire life, I felt tall!  A few more days of painting and then I promised the dog that we would spend more of our time hiking about the hillside.  He seems to enjoy that about as much as I do.

 Yesterday, however, was gorgeous and I was able to slip down to the pier for a few minutes.  While there, a tri-colored heron allowed me to photograph it!  Actually, the bird was unaware or, at best, oblivious to my presence and did not care if I had a camera or not.  I could not pass up the opportunity, though, because the lighting was perfect enough to create fantastic reflections.  Despite a few ripples in the water, a nigh on exact image of the heron was repeated in the water.  Even the colors were duplicated to perfection!  It is rare in our muddy waters to see such vibrant reflections and, when they do occur, I am enthralled.

 The tri-colored heron waded about hunting for its breakfast.  Occasionally, it would dart toward a minnow and plunge to grab it.  Watching only for a few moments, I counted no less than eight minnows going down that gullet!  That is one sharp bird....and very photogenic!

Friends Stick Together

  I could stand it no longer.  Being cooped up is not for me.  I decided to brave the cold and take a good long hike about the place.  Mr. PJ, the old dog, decided to decline the offer of a two hour walk and preferred his cozy bed.  I, on the other hand, needed to escape the confines of the Little Bayou House and breathe.  I stoked the woodstove, closed down the damper and donned the jacket.  I was out of here!

  To kill two birds with one stone (as if I was ever inclined to kill a bird), I headed far back behind the house and into the woods.  Combining a hike and chores is always a good thing!  A couple of days earlier, I had spied some logs that would make great firewood.  Those were hauled to the house to be cut.  Then, I was free to head to the marshes and pier.  Not much was happening at the marsh edge but the mudflats by the pier were full of activity.  Five birds were feeding along the shallows and put on quite the show.  One Great Blue Heron, three Tri-colored Herons and one Snowy Egret performed an exquisite ballet while trying to catch small minnows.  The Great Blue kept his distance from the others but the Tri-colors and Snowy worked together to catch their prey.  It seemed that one Tri-color was particularly fond of hunting with the Snowy and never let much distance get between them. 

 

  The birds used a rather unusual tactic to flush the minnows.  They would sort of hop, skip and pounce instead of using a stealth approach.  All four of the smaller birds were using this technique.  One would spread its wings as if to take off in flight, make a mere "hop" into the air, land a few feet away and then bob for the kill.  The Tri-color and Snowy seemed to be collaborating their methods and sharing their take.  It was a rather unique experience to sit and watch this show.  

  The shorebirds are taking full advantage of the winter tides and are working the mudflats to their advantage.  With the low, low tide, the flats are extensive giving the birds a wider choice of hunting grounds.  They need this extra nutrition to survive the bitter cold that we have had this week.  It seems that the struggle for survival has made friends out of strangers.  Seeing the birds all working for a common goal sure made me wish that people would do the same.  No wonder I love my critter friends so much.

Patience....patience....

  Mark and I headed to the pier this morning a bit later than normal.  Even though it was mid-morning, it was a gloomy, blustery day making thing seem shrouded.  Sitting on the pier was a Tri-colored Heron. He sat facing the wind and had his back to us.  With the roar of the wind, I am not even sure the bird heard us approach until we were about thirty feet from him.  It was obvious that he was not too willing to leave his sturdy roost as he hesitated before flying to one of the posts.  There he sat ignoring the two intruders.

  Try as I might, it was difficult to get a clear photograph of the heron.  Each time I thought I had the bird in focus, a huge gust of wind would nearly knock me off the pier.  I was wobbling all over the place!  The first photo was a great one of the bird's head, the second...a not so great one of his feet.  Several photos were too dark and in one, I missed the bird entirely!  I edged closer to the bird and was soon near enough to brace myself against the wind.  One of the tall pier posts gave me enough support to finally get my pictures!  

  The heron was patient with me and never acted frightened.  He did reluctantly fly to the back of the Bayou after a bit but it was not long before he returned.  Obviously, its roost on the pier in the rough weather felt safer than any other place.  

Elvis...

Don't ask me why I name the critters of the Bayou..I really cannot answer. It seems as if sometimes, these animals just need a name. Sometimes, there is no rhyme nor reason for the name that I choose..it just happens. Such is the case with Elvis. Elvis comes to visit me quite often when I am on the pier. He begs for handouts and usually receives whatever I can catch. Elvis, you see, is a Tri-colored Heron.

Elvis, the Tri-colored Heron, that lives in the Bayou!

I was on the pier yesterday morning when..sure enough..in flies Elvis! He perched himself on the edge of the pier with his usual hungry look. That morning, though, I did not throw the net for Elvis. There was plenty of small mullet running in the shallows and I figured he needed to catch his own. He edged closer to me as if to nudge me into fishing for him. I sat. "Elvis...you stop being so lazy and go get your own!" He stared at me as if in disbelief! After a bit, Elvis hopped down from the pier and into the shallows along the marsh edge. He busied himself scooping up mullet after mullet and soon forgot about me! He was far too busy!

Elvis has left the area!

After about twenty minutes or so, Ezzy, the dog, and I decided it was coffee time so we headed back to the Little Bayou House. When we neared the edge where Elvis was having breakfast, he did not notice us...that is until Ezzy let out a low..."Woof". I really do not think she meant to startle Elvis but was merely telling him goodbye! Elvis, on the other hand, did not respond well to her nicety! His wings shot out and with a loud squawk, he flew to the other side of the Bayou. Elvis had left the pier! He was not one bit happy with the way the morning had unfolded! The chef had not fixed breakfast to his liking and then some large beast had "Woofed" at him! Life is so difficult when you are the King!

My New Friend!

It seems that most of my friends lately are of the critter kind. I am not sure if this is how things are just meant to be or if I spend far too much time hanging around the Bayou! I have been claiming to have a Night Heron as a buddy ever since he decided that handouts of food are easier to come by than those fish he has to catch but now, a new friend is in the making! A young Tricolored Heron has befriended me to the point that I can get within a couple of feet from it before it becomes a mite edgy. If I am on the pier in the early morn, I will hear the soft flaps of its wings as it flies in from the creekbed. The heron will land on one of the pier posts near my bench and watch as I take pictures with my camera. If I have the net handy and can catch a few minnows, he will wait until I back away a few feet before devouring them. As of yet, I have not been able to handfeed this one but that should be accomplished soon. I am sure that the bird does not fear me since it realizes that I have no intent on harming it. What does amaze me is the fact that this bird is not afraid of Ezzy, either. You would think that a dog would be a natural enemy. I can assure you that Ezzy is not luring the bird closer with promises of fresh mullet for breakfast like I am but there seems to be a trust between bird and dog as well.

The Tricolor Heron is a medium size bird as herons go. Once known as the Louisiana Heron, it is the only dark heron with white undersides. It has a long bill that is used for spearing its dinner of small fishes from the marshes and mudflats. This bill also would take off a finger if I am not careful while attempting to handfeed the bird! One thing that I have observed about the Tricolored Heron is when fishing, it has a tendency to wade in deeper water than the other herons or egrets. Sometimes, even its belly feathers will be touching the water as it hunts. The bird will use the crouching method with its long neck outstretched whereas the other herons usually use the standing method while hunting. Perhaps this Tricolored has befriended me because it prefers handouts to wading waist-deep in the cold, January waters of the Bayou. It matters not as I count each friend as a blessing even if they are of the avian kind!

Best Friends

Best friends are something that we all need..someone to confide in when we feel down..someone to rely on when the going gets tough. Best friends are the ones that don't look at you as different but see you as unique. Best friends laugh with you..laugh at you..laugh at themselves with you. Best friends share their meals..share their secrets..share good times and bad times. They stand beside you..give hugs..say "I love you." Best friends..we all need them.

Today as I was out and about, I came across an unusual pair of seemingly best friends. A

pair that proves that sometimes the most unlikely duos can get along with no problems. These two have been paired together for almost three months now. They seem to get along just fine with no competition for food or space. They are just friends. One is a Tricolored Heron and the other is an Egret. They were resting on the pier, each standing on one leg while braving the cold wind. These two roost together at night and feed together during the day. I am not sure about the circumstances that threw them together but whatever it was, it created a bond. They are happy just being friends.

There is much we can learn from the critters of the Bayou..friendship is obviously one thing. A friendship based solely on the need of friendship. No prejudice..just the need to get along for survival. One young Heron..one young Egret..one unique bond.