Fish Crow to the Rescue!

  Being tightly bound to the small gardens once again, I miss my bayou critter friends.  So far, none have ventured up to the gardens to do a check on me like six years ago when I had to crown myself "Queen of the Small Gardens".  Then, everything from turtles, snakes, raccoons, owls and hawks ventured into the gardens.  I cherished each of the visits and had some of the best "conversations" albeit one-sided.  I was just happy to have them nearby. 

  This go-round, someone new has taken to a thrice daily visit.  If I am in the back part of the gardens, a Fish Crow will perch itself on the peak of the house and call to me.  It watches my every move and will come down to accept peanuts from the fencepost.  If I am in the front gardens, it perches itself about twenty feet up on an old, dead oak branch. There it calls constantly until another handful of peanuts is proffered.  These are carefully placed on an upturned flowerpot on the arbor.  The bird happily accepts each gift.

  While most folks are not overly fond of crows, I have come to love this bird simply because it gives me the feeling of usefulness in an otherwise useless situation. The bird came to my rescue just when I needed it the most. Perhaps the bird senses that I am "on hold" from my daily routine until the body heals or perhaps it just wants those peanuts.  Either way, I am grateful that it has chosen to visit the Small Gardens.  

Added note...American Crows are much more abundant across the entire nation but Fish Crows are usually found coastally.  While their appearances are similar, their calls are distinctly different.  This is definitely a Fish Crow!

That's a Big One!

   Yesterday morning, Mark was on the pier catching mullet in the net.  It was amazing the number of fish he was catching in the short time he had been there.  Then...he spied the huge critter!  After giving me a call, he started taking photographs of one of the largest alligators in the area.  That thing was HUGE!  Just by estimating (next to pier posts), the gator easily seemed to be 11 or 12 feet in length! 

  Normally, the alligators keep their distance with only a couple of times finding one venturing close to the pier while we were there.  This big, ole gator just kept coming!  Soon it was right where Mark had been throwing the net!  (As you can see in one of the photographs, it was literally right against the pier!)  Wisely, Mark stopped throwing the net and kept HIS distance from the critter.  It was not long before our "friendly" critter had enough of this closeness and started moving on its way to the mouth of the Bayou.  It was then that Mark could breathe a bit easier and continue with his mulleting.

  It is not often that we get the chance to observe the gators of this size.  Most that visit are under 8 feet and...most have the good sense to stay a wee bit further away from the pier.  After talking it over, we decided that either the gator is the one messing with the crab pots or the constant splashing of the net got the best of its curiosity.  Whichever, the best move was just let the massive critter go on its happy way.  Just like with snakebites, more people get injured (or killed) by messing with the gators than if they are allowed to move along on their own.  If you are going to live on a Bayou or near any body of water, you have to respect the critters that are there.  It is their territory.  We are the intruders.  Mark's decision to not harass the alligator was the right way of dealing with it.  (Only twice has this huge gator been seen near our pier.  It usually stays far from here and only visits rarely.  Quite exciting to see it, however!)

Friends...all shapes and sizes

   For the past week, an osprey has been hanging about the yard.  It usually came to roost on a low limb of a pine tree that grows near the shore end of the pier.  As I make a dozen or so trips to the pier each day, I have made it a habit to speak to the bird.  He would cock his head to one side as if trying to understand my "strange" language.  Not once did the osprey act startled or afraid of my approach.  In fact, I was beginning to think he looked forward to our interaction just as I did.  Perhaps, birds and humans are not that much different as we both crave attention from where it comes.  If I was to linger long between visits, his high-pitched screeches could be heard echoing up the hillside.  Was he calling me?

  This daily routine has been a pleasant break from the chore-load that I have been having since both guys of the household (husband and son) were laid-up.  My first interaction with the osprey was when I was cutting firewood.  The bird came to the pine tree and watched the entire time as I cut, loaded and then hauled the firewood up the hillside.  For seven days, he came.  It was like clockwork.  I would head to the pier at 4am with my mug of coffee and he would be there.  Off and on during the day, I could depend on his presence so much so that I started venting to the bird about the heavy load I was bearing.  He seemed to care...or perhaps, I was hoping someone did and the bird was a handy listener. 

  Today, my friend did not come.  The limb sat empty.  It was a bit saddening and I felt a certain loneliness come across me.  Maybe the inclement weather had something to do with his absence...maybe he found a new friend who was more interesting.  Whichever...I am purely grateful that he was there when I needed him the most and I wish him well.  Friends come in all shapes and sizes.  Mine, at the moment, was in the form of a bird.

Caterpillar Tendrils!

   It occurred to me today that this old world is filled with some of the most marvelous creatures ever.  Sure, most of us can recognize thousands of critters even if it is from only picture books but, sometimes, ones plop down upon us and cause us to scratch our heads in wonderment.  

  Literally, that happened today. Kerplop!  A critter landed on the wicker chair next to me.  Son happened to see it and then questioned if I had any idea what it was.  Nope.  Never saw one before in my life...even in those picture books.  So, we did what we always do.  We took photographs.  I took some.  Son took some...just in case the others were not clear enough for an identification. Then the magic of the internet came into play!  Instead of browsing millions of photos online, I merely type in a vague description and, BAM!, there you go!  Good old Google has an answer.  My search line was "orangish brown caterpillar with tendrils".  

    This is a horned spanworm and those little twirly things are called tendrils!  This critter obviously fell from either the hickory tree or the oak tree that shaded the chairs.  The caterpillar chews on the leaves of hardwood trees so that makes the most sense.  (At least, it is not a cabbage worm!)  When the caterpillar ages, it will turn into a rather nondescript brownish gray moth. 

  While this is all interesting, it was those tendrils that captivated my attention.  Most of the time, the tendrils are small and mostly unnoticeable but when the critter is disturbed, that all changes.  It can puff those things up until they are quite scary looking.  The most noted theory is that tendrils are supposed to be a disguise and make the critter look like some odd flower with long stamens.  To my way of thinking, it looks a lot more like a spider than a flower.  Also, to my way of thinking, that makes more sense as appearing to be a scary predator is a probably a better defense that looking pretty.  Also, if you look really close at the last photograph, you can see what appears to be claws!  SCARY!  (Aren't we glad this thing is about an inch long and not some dinosaur sized creature!)

  Either way, Son and I finished our photo session with said critter and then I gently put it back on a hickory branch where it immediately started munching more leaves.  (Like I said, at least, it is not a cabbage worm!)  That ended our encounter with a very unusual and unknown (at the moment) critter that literally dropped in to visit us.

Happy To See You, My Old Friend!

  Before daybreak, an owl could be heard off in the distance.  Stepping on the back deck, it was evident that the bird was down in the creek in one of the old pines.  Thinking it was far too dark to go traipsing down there in search of an elusive bird, I took my mug of coffee out to the front steps.  There, I sat in the dark under the shaded arbor.  Bat, the cat, sat nearby as if he even thought it was still too early to be out and about. The owl, kept hooting but nothing else could be heard.

  Along about daybreak, the cat scooted down to the marsh edge to patrol his territory and the owl came closer to the house.  Hmmm....that owl sounded large enough to tote off the cat, if it so desired.  Bat had better be careful!  Suddenly, the hooting was so very close!  Turning, I spied the owl just above my head!  It had come into the garden and was on a low limb of the old oak tree. I slowly picked up the camera and aimed at the bird.  Well, that beat all!  A single twig sat between the two of us.  There would be no photographs unless one of us moved and that old owl seemed to be mighty comfortable where it was.  Yep, I got up and moved closer.

  The owl had no problems with me being only about 15 feet from it.  The bird stared at me a few moments then when right back to hooting!  As I took picture after picture, memories came back of an owl that would often visit the garden and sit on that very limb or on the fence post.  I pondered if this could be the same one.  It has been several years since the bird visited the gardens.  Friend Owl, as long as you leave the cat alone, you are more than welcome to visit any time you choose.  I am honored!

Delightful Visitor To The Pier

   Early this morning, Mark and I thought we might catch a redfish from the piece of the pier that is still intact.  We did not.  Nary a fish wanted to come that close to shore being as it was low tide.  Regardless, we enjoyed our time on the pier and the sunrise did not disappoint.  We sat in awe of the beauty laid out before us.  While we were watching the sun peep over the pines on the far side of the Bayou, a whirring of wings told us that a flock of blackbirds had settled into the marsh just beyond us.  I love the Red-winged Blackbirds as much as any other bird and was excited that they had come to visit.  What I did not know was that the local birds had brought a special guest.

  A lone bird flew to the tallest post on my brother's pier.  Thinking this was "just another blackbird", I actually hesitated before deciding to photograph our visitor.  Once I did, the bird's beauty struck me.  Wow!  That was no ordinary Bayou Blackbird!  I tried to photograph the bird but the dimness of the morn and the distance between the piers did not allow for clear shots.  I needed at least one picture to be clear enough for me to identify the bird.  Please let one turn out ok!  I thought I knew the bird but had doubts.

  Don't ask me how I knew that the bird was a Yellow-headed Blackbird but I did.  This bird is far east of its natural range.  It is unusual to see one past the Texas/Louisiana border and even more so to find one here on the Mississippi Coast. When I saw the bird, knew it was not supposed to be here but knew exactly what it was. I have never seen one before but the name seemed to fit.  It was easy to see that it was a type of blackbird simply by one particular action.  The bird "stood" like a blackbird.  Every blackbird that I have ever seen stand the same!  It is like the "Universal Blackbird Standing Position"!  When I finally was able to view my pictures, most were a disappointment but a few were clear enough to identify the bird and I was correct!  Oh, sweet bird!  You are more than welcome to call the Bayou home.  We welcome you!

The Bayou Geese!

   Early this afternoon, a stroll in the gardens was in order.  Work had come to a cease simply because of the heat.  Strolling, however, is always a good thing as there is plenty of shade from the old oak trees.  Just as I was entering the shady nook near the back of the greenhouse, I heard an odd sound in the Bayou. Hmm, one hears tales of banshees, will-o-the-wisps and hobgoblins but this sounded like none of those.   It was a far sweeter sound!  Geese!  For others, this may be an everyday thing but, for me, it is a happy occasion to find the geese swimming about the shallow waters of the Bayou.  I decided to ease my way down near the marsh to see just how many were there.

  Oh, my!  There were dozens of the fine looking critters taking baths in one bend of the winding waterways.  Such splashing! Such honking!  The geese were having a grand old time this afternoon.  They knew how to beat the heat!  I watched the antics of the flock for about twenty minutes and noticed that there were lots of juveniles in the bunch.  That gives me hope that this flock is flourishing.  Eventually, they all congregated in one open spot.  After much conversing, they took flight and headed west of here.  I knew exactly where they were going.  My cousin lives about a quarter of a mile to the west and she puts out a fine buffet for the ducks and geese.  My fine feathered friends were heading to dinner. 

  While the visit with the geese was short lived, it thrilled me to see them here.  Perhaps they will take a liking to the Bayou and return each day.  They are welcome to stay for a spell.  

The Perfect Visitor!

  In view of the current social distancing order, I fully discourage any visitors to the Bayou.  I live here.  You don't.  There is no need for you to come.  After all this is over and the virus has been defeated...you are welcome.  Not now, however.  I have stuck with the idea that without a host, the virus will die.  Mark, on the other hand, still comes and goes as he pleases.  It bothers me but nothing can be done so I do not even attempt.  I spend a good bit of time outside deep-breathing our fresh air, getting plenty of sunshine and doing yard work.  Great progress is happening in the garden!  

  Today, that social distancing put me to installing some gravel guards for the roof drain.  The way our house is shaped, rain pours down with a vengeance and washes gullies as it does.  I have tried everything but it seems as if this gravel drain some forty feet long is the only surefire way of coping with the destructive power of water!  The gravel guards will keep the gravel, itself, from being strewn into the lawn and then flung about by the mower.  I was on my hands and knees when a visitor showed up.  Surprisingly...this one I welcomed!  In fact, I was overjoyed to stop work, sit a spell and enjoy a bit of company.  It was delightful!

  A Southern Black Racer decided to investigate what I was doing in the garden.  While I was working, a movement caught my eye and I turned to see the snake making its way to me.  I was quite sure that it would veer off course to avoid me but, nope, it came straight in to visit!  The snake slithered up to the pile of large rocks that I had removed from the edge of the drain and then proceeded to inch closer.  Once it was about two feet from me, it stopped, started flicking its tongue and stared.  Oh, sweet thing!  Even when I slowly reached over to get the camera, the snake kept its place.  For a good half hour, my new friend and I shared some quality time.  I welcomed it to the garden and told it that I would prefer it chose the area as its permanent residence.  How sweet would that be???

  Even though I have taken to talking to critters, I promise that this whole isolation thing has not twisted the brain.  It has always been this way.  To be totally honest, I am fully enjoying my "alone time" as I am getting so much accomplished!  And...I am meeting new friends along the way. 

The Garden Thief

  Along about noontime, I decided to make another batch of peach jam.  Since I had already picked all of the peaches due to marauding coons, the task was half done.  It was a just a matter of "jamming".  The fruit was all prepared, cooked and jarred within a short time.  There was nothing to do but clean up my mess.  While doing that, I heard a strange sound on the back porch. Hmmm...that was unusual as no one was out there.  I opened the door to come face to face with the Garden Thief!  

  A young raccoon was searching the area for something for lunch.  I eased my way out the backdoor and onto the small porch all the while still holding a pot and dish towel.  The coon slowly made its way down the steps and then turned to look at me.  It seemed to expect me to give it a handout!!  As if I needed to do that after it has raided the garden numerous times!!  Nope, Little One!  You are not getting a handout today!  The little coon edged its way under the shed and I thought all was ended for the day.  

  About five minutes after disappearing under the south side of the shed, a small head popped out of the north side!  The little rascal was exiting there and making its way back to the porch!  Ok, coon!  That is enough!  Get yourself out of here before I hurl this pot at you!  The coon did not stop.  Rather, it kept coming toward me and, once again, appeared to be begging for food.  

  It suddenly dawned on me that this little coon must be the same one that my brother feeds at the end of the lane.  Since he gives it daily handouts, the coon has lost all fear of humans and thinks that every one should do the same. Not me!  I do not mind feeding the critters during bleak times but the garden is in full swing and they are surely getting their bellies full each night.  So...Little Coon...go back down the lane.  You cannot have my plums, peaches or tomatoes!

Home for the Holidays...Sort of...

  Several folks came to visit the Little Bayou House this afternoon.  My sweet sister-in-law came first and is always a delight.  She and I can sit back with a mug of hot coffee and spill out any problems that may be bothering us.  The time shared can usually solve the situation and we part ways much happier than before.  Just as she and I were settling in for our chat, a knock was heard at the back door.  Huh?  Not many folks come to the back of the house but, sure enough, there were two of Son's childhood friends standing on the porch.   What a surprise to see two of my "adopted" sons!  These two young men have been coming to the Bayou since they were small lads.  Two generations of folks sat and chatted as if all was right with the world.

  One of these young men is in the air force and has wandered the world with his job.  At one point, he made the statement that "I always like coming home to this house."  Wow.  That "home" bit was pretty strong.  It made me start thinking of how so many of these young folks come back "home" here.  They have told me time and time again that this is where they found stability in their topsy-turvy lives.  The Bayou and Little Bayou House was a place of security for them when they were youngsters and, now, it is a place of happy memories.   

  It seems that my little bit of paradise, is also an idyllic setting in the minds of a lot of folks who have passed through my life.  So many folks have proclaimed that there is something here that brings peace but it never occurred to me that a good many feel that this is their only memory of what a true "home" is like.  Not a house, not a building but a home.  A place where these folks can return and find comfort.  

  As the young men prepared to leave, they both gave huge hugs and one bent over to whisper in this old lady's ear "Thanks, Other Mother, for letting me come home for the holidays."  Tears welled up in my eyes.  "Son, you are always welcome here on the Bayou."  Another hug and the two were off to see their real families.  Wow.  The heartstrings were pulled a bit tighter.  Perhaps there really is something magical about this place.  I feel it.  Others do, too, obviously.

This is why.....

  First, just a bit of explanation about this blog since it has been a while since I started...well, since my oldest son started it.  He was about to be shipped overseas again and knew that our communication would be scarce if at all.  Also, at this time, Darling Daughter was away from home.  The blog was created as a means to keep them informed of the happenings of the Bayou.  Their childhood home had memories galore and those memories needed to be shared between them.  Then along came a few folks who obviously enjoyed a sort of weird take on my daily doings and readership went beyond the kiddos.  (A few years back, Blogger did something strange and I lost all of my "followers" but, along the way, readership gained.  I do not get paid for the blog which is why it is ad free.  I prefer it that way.  There is no reason to shove ads down the throat of anyone stopping in for a visit.  I would not do that if you were sitting in the rocker, looking out over the Bayou while enjoying a glass of sweet tea so why should I expect you to love ads while reading of the place.

  The Bayou is a unique sort of place to live.  The life here is not for everyone.  Sometimes it is hard but mostly it is paradise.  The hardest part is the occasional hurricane that will roll in to mess up the place a bit but storms are dealt with and all is good.  It is the same with the moccasins, alligators and myriad of biting bugs that I encounter on a daily basis. These are just everyday things and usually do not require a second thought except when they are up close and personal!  Speaking of which, the huge gator came to visit this morning.  Just about daybreak, the old dog and I made our way to the pier.  He followed the strict command to "stay" at the shore end while I ventured a wee bit further.  Once there, I spied the monster gator lurking just east of the pier.  The critter was making his way further up into the Bayou presumably after a night out stalking some prey.  My surveillance of the gator was short lived as the old dog was getting restless.  

 This is why.  This is why with Mr. PJ being wobbly and weak, I refuse to let him go on the pier.  That gator could have been at the pier in less than a minute.  For the dog's protection, it is best he stay far from the reach of any gators!  Well, this and the fact that if he did fall into the water, I would never get the 70 lb dog back up on the pier and he would have to hobble all the way back to shore through the snake infested marsh.   So, for a while anyway, the dog will stay back on shore if I need to head to the pier for anything.  It is just far safer for him.

  So, if you are visiting the blog, make yourself a glass of sweet tea and sit back and enjoy the ad-free zone!  I am not here to push anything on you, nor trying to criticize anyone.  This is just my way of sharing the Bayou Life with family and friends (and that includes you).  

Curious Pepper!

  Well, folks!  It is raining....AGAIN!  The rain gauge read five full inches from midnight to 7am.  That is a lot of rain! Things are flooded and there is no end in sight.  It has rained all day and is predicted to do so for the next couple of days.  Then, after a brief respite of one day, the week ahead looks just as wet.  All of this rain (and a sore back from cleaning the Frog Pond) kept me inside today.  I was just starting to get bored when I received a phone call from my son-in-law.  He was at the vet's office with yet another "throwaway" pet that my daughter rescued. Since they use the same vet as we do, he was just minutes away from the Little Bayou House.  "I have a huge favor to ask....Can you watch Pepper for me for a few hours while I go to work?"  Could I?  Yay!  I had something to entertain me for the day!

  So Pepper came to the Little Bayou House and immediately claimed it as her own.  While Ms. Put, the old Bayou Queen, snoozed in the entryway and Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess, insisted on staying out in the rain, the little visitor kept me company.  She explored the living room from top to bottom.  Every piece of furniture had to be inspected, every inch of floor sniffed and every nook entered.  It was not long before she realized that she could walk the window ledge and get between the blinds and pane.  At first, she was content to eye the squirrel that lives in the oak tree near the house but when she discovered that her field of view was vastly increased by standing, she was a happy camper!  At that height, she could see over the fence.  This opened up a whole new world of sights.  

  Watching the little cat explore did, indeed, make the dreary day a lot brighter.  Had Robbie not brought Pepper by for a visit, the day would have been quite dull.  It is amazing how our critter friends bring happiness into our lives.  Thank you, Robbie, for sharing this precious (albeit curious) cat with me!

The Welcome Visitor

  One thing about living on the Bayou, you never know who might drop in for a visit.  Sometimes, I go weeks without seeing a human visitor but I can always depend on my critter friends to pay a call.  I am good with that.  Critter friends leave behind all of the whining and gossiping to just be friends.  There is no drama involved in our conversations and, though their visits are often fleeting, I feel honored that they came at all.  I guess it all goes back to that thing about people who overstay their welcome.  Critters never do.  Their visits are short and to the point and then they take their leave.  No bad at all.

   Down near the east side of the property right on the shore of the Bayou, there sits an old oak tree.  The branches drape down into the water and create a small "room" that is shut off from most of the world. This area is maybe ten feet across and twelve wide.  During high tide, the floor of this "room" is filled with water but as the tide drops, a small puddle remains. In reality, it is a pretty neat little place.  Blocked from view on all sides except an opening here and there, the old oak tree provides shelter to critters that come to dine on minnows and crabs in the pool.  It was here that I was down on my knees trying to film the rivalry of the male fiddler crabs. Hundreds of the little crabs had invaded the area and were frantically waving their large claws as a warning to each other.  Not much actual fighting ensues but it is pretty interesting to watch. You get a couple of hundred crabs together and let them wave their claws and it starts to resemble some weird dance.  

  While I was kneeling just a few feet from the water's edge, I had a perfect view of the inner portion of the "room".  There was not much happening until suddenly, I had a visitor.  A small raccoon was searching for supper and obviously knew right where to come.  The little fellow paid no attention to my presence and started scurrying about trying to catch trapped minnows.  After several photographs, the critter finally noticed me.  He kept feeding but eased closer to the far side of the branches.  From this point, the little raccoon could keep an eye on me all the while catching bull minnows.  

  Neither of us made the effort to vacate the area so our visit lasted a good twenty minutes.  I sure enjoyed his company!  I love my critter friends!