On His Own

   Well, it was bound to happen and now it has.  It is time to buck up to the times and get on with life.  Well, at least, the little bird needs to go about his business of being a bird.  The little cardinal that was coming to the feeders with Mom and Dad Cardinal has now been officially booted from the nest.  He is on his own and will have to start "adulting" if he is going to make it.  Mom and Dad are not going to be there for handouts any longer.  The little fellow was taught where to find food and water and how to find shelter.  It is up to him.

  In the avian world, life can be tough on little ones.  Once the parent birds have taught their brood the basics of survival, they literally give them the boot.  In fact, this being a young male, he will most likely be chased from the territory eventually.  Right now, he is chased from the feeders if the adults wish to eat.  Life is not easy for fledglings that are accustomed to being fed or, at least, led to food.  Once parent birds are ready to nest again, the fledglings are out!

  This little one has learned its lessons well.  He comes to the birdseed and, more oft than not, feeds below the plants.  He knows that the local hawk could easily swoop down and grasp him.  Hopefully, that will not be the case and this little cutie can grow to be a handsome red fellow like his dad!  Good luck, Little One!

Becoming "One" With The Bayou

  If you live on a bayou long enough, you begin to more or less blend in with the scenery.   Soon, no one even notices you.  Let's just say that I have been here for a really long time.  Not that I am complaining because with the shape the world has gotten itself in lately, I am perfectly happy to be among the gators, otters and nutria rats.  All of the nonsensical people can just keep their distance and let me be part of the Bayou and its life. 

  As I was sitting watching the bull minnows in their courtship battles, a tuft of "fluff" caught my eye.  At first, it seemed to be a swamp sparrow but when I tilted my head passed the groundsel bush for a better view, I found that it was nothing more than the marsh grass blooms.  Now there is one for you folks who never see the small stuff because of the larger picture.  Marsh grass blooms!  A lot of folks probably never consider the brown, scraggly things as blooms but if you ever have the opportunity to really study things, you might be amazed.  When seen in the distance, the blooms appear to be brown and dried.  Up close and personal, one can actually see the deep red sepals that opened to reveal tiny cream-colored petals.  These flowers produce seed capsules that are filled with shiny, black seeds.  

  The marshes around here are mostly Juncus romerianus which is commonly called needlerush.  It grows to about four feet tall and looks to be all stems.  Those stems are actually the very tightly rounded leaves.  They are about an eighth inch in diameter but quickly taper to a sharp point at the tip...hence the needlerush name.  Needlerush is a true rush and is often seen as more gray than green.  It reproduces by the seeds mentioned above or by rhizomes.  

  So, now you know how I spend my off time.  After the chores are done and I have quit for the day, the water calls.  I heed the yearning to learn more about my fine, little paradise.  I sit among the palmettos or marshes and observe.  Life is better that way...by far.