Hope Returns

   Early this morning after a drizzly rain, I slipped out into the small gardens to see if any of my newly planted seeds had sprouted.  I am late getting the plots ready since I am on "light duty" for the rest of this year.  No digging means no rows which, in turn, means no gardens. Still, where there's a will...there is usually a way so I did the next best thing of planting without well turned soil.  Armed with a trowel and a small hand rake, I planted.  Now we shall wait and see if the feeble efforts turn into something durable.  

  The garden, however, was not the highlight of my early morning traipsing.  Again, that light duty is also tied tightly with limits as to where I can go unaccompanied.  The pier (also known as "my favorite sunrise place") is definitely out of my realm but that does not mean that I cannot edge my way to the clearing where I can view the length of the path and pier.  I did and I saw an old friend just waiting at this end of where the pier starts.  A Great White Egret was resting while watching the mudflats for anything she could have for breakfast.  This is a bird that I named "Hope" several years ago when the whole country was in the midst of the COVID scare.  That was the same time that I had a stroke and was bound to the Small Gardens for the duration of my recovery.  (Much the same as now but for different reasons.)  Hope and I got to know each other rather well since I was deemed a "non-threat".  She would come to visit each day and we would while away an hour or so just being together.  Neither of us made much effort to "tame" the other but it was like we had an understanding.  Now...she is back.

  Hope looked a little worse for wear after the stormy weather of the past few days. Her feathers were ruffled and she looked tired...much like me.  I am not sure the bird recognized me after my absence but there was no forgetting her.  She helped me before and I almost got the feeling she understood my plight once again as she came a bit closer to where I was sitting.  There, we visited...me on the upturned old boat on shore while she stopped about twenty feet from me.  We stayed...I talked...she listened and watched for bull minnows in the marsh.  Good friends are like that.  Good friends just care.

Where Did All The Water Go?

   It is a well-known fact that a strong north wind can drive the water lower than usual in the Bay.  Sometimes during the winter months, our pier sits "high and dry" with nary a puddle beneath it.  Mud...that stinky, sloppy mud...surrounds everything and anything that was hidden by the dark waters is evident.  Tree limbs, derelict crab pots, even old boat parts are left visible once the tide is extremely low.  I have lived near this Bayou my entire life and have witnessed that old wind drive the water sometimes a good hundred feet from the pier's end.  The water returns with the next high tide if the winds have subsided but that lack of water does indeed put a kink in any fishing plans!  

  Saturday morning, the tide was at its low at around 7:30 in the morning.  We had an incoming cold front so the winds were out of the north and were sustained around 18mph.  Yes, the tide was low...really low!  Mark actually took pictures and made the remark that it was "the lowest I have ever seen!"  I checked and had to agree.  That water was way out there!  It was interesting to see but, since I had no plans of fishing, the phenomenon soon flitted from the brain.  There was no use in pondering low tide....until a few hours later....those few hours made a bigger impact.

  Around noon, Mark made a trip to deliver a pot of beef stew to a sweet old lady.  While he was gone, I glanced out the window and was taken aback.  Where did all the water go?  It was low tide before but this was getting ridiculous!  There was absolutely NO water!  I mean NOOO water at all!  I hurriedly made my way to the end of the pier to check this further.  There literally was no water!  The entire part of the Bay known as Magnolia Bend" (our part!) was nothing but mudflats!  I peered across to the air base...there...there was a wee bit of water in the industrial channel that runs parallel to the opposite shoreline.  That water seemed to be nigh on a mile away!  In fact, if you look closely at the photos that I took, you will see a glistening streak on the far shore.  THAT is the only water in our whole Magnolia Bend area.  The rest of what is seen is mud...purely mud.

  As I sat there pondering the lack of water, I had to giggle because, just last week, Mark made the comment that he would like to extend our pier so we would be in "deeper water".  Yeah, right!  I guess a mile long pier would be fine just so we can fish in that channel so very far away!  I am thinking he would be better off just jumping in that little skiff and puttering over there.   North winds and low tides are always going to be a thing around here but we just have to take it as it comes.  (I have to admit that I much prefer this type tide over the tidal surge that comes with a hurricane.  This one leaves no messy debris piled in the yard!)

Hairypods!

   Earlier this week, I headed to the pier to toss over some shrimp hulls.  We throw these out for the bull minnows as a nice snack.  They get their fill from the tidbits left in the hulls and I do not have to dispose of the things in any other way.  It is a win/win situation with both parties happy.  Anyway, as I headed back up the pier, I noticed that the end post was completely covered with vines.  My first thought was that this was a Saltmarsh Morning Glory but when I got closer, I realized that I was mistaken.  There were lots of (unopened) buds that were far to small plus they were yellow.  The leaves were different, as well.  On closer inspection, I realized that this plant had been blooming for a while because it was covered with 4 inch long "peas"!  Alrighty!  This needed to be identified.  I snatched off a few pods and headed to the house.

  A bit of research gave me a clear idea of the plant.  This was a Hairypod Cowpea Vine!  Oh, my goodness...the more I read...the more interesting the vine proved to be!  These things are edible!  Not only can you eat the peas but the pods and flowers are edible and all are a good source of protein and provide vitamins A and C.  I understand why people prefer the other "cowpeas" (think crowder, blackeyed, pinkeyed and purple hull) as they are much larger and, hence, easier to shell.  Still, I find the Hairypods interesting and I am eager to try them as a food source.

  That said, this one plant will never provide enough to feed the three folks living in the Little Bayou House so I needed to do a bit of planning.  Every day, I have been gathering the dried pods to save the seeds.  Once I get plenty, they will be dried and stored for this next spring.  Then...my hairypod cowpeas shall find a new home in the garden plots and I shall not have to forage for them down where the cottonmouths reign.  Hopefully, this native plant will do well and provide us with "free food".  It is simply amazing how we as a species have forgotten how to live off the land.  There are not many who wish to eat something literally growing in the marsh!  Most folks are not game to try things unless it comes from a store....stores that sell a lot of things that we should NOT be consuming. Foraging is not a bad thing, at all!

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!)

The Right Name...

   I have a confession.  Until just recently, I have known the black-headed geese that visit the Bayou as "Canadian Geese".  That is what my grandpa called them.  That is what Pop called them.  Just about everybody around here called these geese by that name.  Not only that, we were taught that name in school when we were to identify birds.  Yep, they were Canadian Geese, alright...everybody said so.  What was a kid to think?  Then, a couple of years back, I found that the name is a big mistake.  The real name of this bird is not "Canadian Goose" but...Canada Goose.  There you go.  A mistake has been corrected.  Actually, I corrected myself two years ago when it was brought to my attention.  I am careful now to call the stately birds by their correct names.  Just imagine going your whole life with everyone never getting your name right?  Also, who says you cannot teach an old dog new tricks?  It is never too late to learn folks...never too late.

  Speaking of these lovely birds, the other morning saw a number of them visiting the shore near the pier.  The sun was just peaking above the pines on the opposite side of the Bayou when I heard their clamor as they came to a splashdown just to the west of us.  As with any wildlife that chooses to grace me with its presence, I was enamored.  The birds stayed for as long as I was on the pier giving me plenty of opportunities to photograph them in all their beauty. 

  Folks, take the time to soak in as much beauty and tranquility as you can as it can change in a drop of a hat.  Things as simple as a goose flying in to greet you can become something of the past...a memory...in a matter of minutes.  Enjoy each moment...and NEVER STOP LEARNING.  The Canada Geese will appreciate the thought, I am sure.

Hurricanes, Shrimp, Gars and Childhood Memories

   Since Son has completed the repairs on the pier, fishing, shrimping and crabbing have resumed.  It is almost unheard of to have so much activity going on in the Bay and Bayou...at least, in recent years.  The last time that I recall catching this many shrimp from a pier was way back in the late '60s.  Right before Hurricane Camille hit when I was just a kid, Pop was bringing home buckets and buckets of shrimp that he caught with his net.  Then...along came the hurricane and we were in a fine fix.  This was before the handy-dandy generators that are so popular today.  Pop rigged up a homemade "generator" of sorts from an old lawnmower engine to run our pump but it did not supply enough energy to keep the freezers going.  What was Mom to do with a freezer full of quickly thawing shrimp?  Of course...feed the linemen that were trying their best to restore the electricity to our house!  Pop built a makeshift outdoor burner (wood fired) and brought out the huge canning pots to boil shrimp.  Living on a farm, we had plenty of potatoes and eggs to make potato salad and supply other veggies as sides.  Word got out that we had homecooked meals and the hungry workers were soon feasting.  Mom and Pop both said that those were the "best parties" they ever hosted!  Plus, the hundreds of pounds of shrimp did not go to waste!

  Memories of the shrimp feasts came tumbling from the brain as I casted the net for yet more shrimp the other morning.  Our freezers are full.  Our kids' freezers are (or will be once they come) full.  We have supplied our elderly friends with enough peeled shrimp to give them multiple meals.  Plus, extended family members have received their shares.  Still...I catch.  Mark catches.  We both head and peel the shrimp and feed the needs of so many.  It is a good feeling.

  Along with those pounds and pounds of shrimp, the fish are biting so I always throw out a line as I am shrimping.  Mark usually heads out in the little skiff but I stay back on the pier.  While he is catching redfish and trout, I catch nothing but gars!  It seems that young gars are following the schools of shrimp so the other fish are staying a bit further out.  I kept seeing huge breaks in the water just at the shoreline so I figured perhaps the redfish were dining on shrimp.  Nope...gars.  Just gars.  Do I want a gar for anything?  Nope...not at all, so they get released back into the Bay.

  Those gars even brought back a memory of a "fishing trip" with two of my brothers.  They had found a scuttled boat and tried to make repairs.  Well, those repairs were not the best since they were done by two kids.  Still, I was game to go along with the adventure when they asked.  I was plum happy to be going with my big brothers ANYWHERE!  Little did I know we were going gar fishing on the other side of the Bayou.  They had seen some huge gars there and thought it might be fun to wrestle in one.  Also, little did I know that I was to be designated as "chief bailer".  After paddling to their fishing spot, I was handed a coffee can and told to bail out the water that was steadily seeping into the boat.  Ummm...a little girl with a tin can is not much defense against a myriad of leaks in a boat but I was too scared of the huge gars they were hooking to do anything but bail!  Obviously, there was a good reason that boat had been scuttled!  Oh, the things kids used to be able to do.  Back in the day, we were kids.  We had adventures.  We had childhoods. 

  It is pretty funny how certain things can pull memories out of the cobwebs in the corners of our brains.  When you are doing something repetitively like throwing the net, the mind wanders and recalls delightful things from the past...or, more likely, I am just getting old and wishing for times past.  Either way, the fish, shrimp and crabs are plentiful and I plan on catching and sharing as many as I can.  Perhaps along the way, I can share a few happy memories, as well.

The Bayou Provides

   While life on a bayou is probably not for everyone, it seems to be perfect for me.  Most would rather be highly involved with their social lives and the hubbub that comes with it.  Again...not me.  I prefer the solitude that I can find here even to the point that I let the land and bayou provide for most of my needs.  While the garden is in a lull due to a recent drought, the water is teeming with "foodstuffs".  That is where I am spending the bulk of my time...on the pier.  Mullet, drumfish, redfish, trout, flounders and crabs are all within reach and shrimp!...yes, shrimp are plentiful this year!  A massive influx of shrimp this far from the salty Gulf is rare so all of the locals are taking full advantage of the occurrence!  We are throwing the net just about every waking hour and are filling freezers for future use.  Free food is always good.

  A thought bleeped through the brain yesterday as I was hauling in yet another netful of shrimp.  What in the world is this old lady with a bad heart doing down here on the pier?  I think I am pushing my strength to the limits this summer.  Just last week, after a great checkup with my doctor, I got the orders to "Just keep doing whatever you are doing as it seems to be paying off in great ways with your health."  I wonder if Doc knows that I am spending hours at a time throwing a net from the pier?  Still...I shall follow Doc's orders and keep doing what I am doing.  If nothing else, I shall eat good!  *Just a note here...yes, that is my gloved hand holding the shrimp to show the size.  I normally do not wear gloves but after throwing the net close to a hundred times each day, my hands were taking a beating.  Bleeding fingers are not a good thing. The gloves have come into use!

Cute and Cuddly Otters? Not!

   It boggles my mind how many times I am told "I would love to swim/play with the otters around your pier!"  No...NO!  No, you do not want to do this.  I agree that the critters are adorably cute but they are not playthings in any sort of way.  The otters are vicious predators that would just as soon attack anything/anyone they deem as a threat...especially when they have their young out and about.  As with any good parents, the otters are fiercely protective of their pups and will fight to the death to defend them.  So...no...you do not want to play with the otters.  Just don't.  

  Yesterday morning as we eased our way down the pier, a rather large otter could be seen swimming from my brother's pier.  The critter had raided the crab pots and had its breakfast in its jaws.  As soon as it reached our pier, it went straight up onto the platform and started eating that crab.  The mama otter tried to take a swipe at the crab and was met with a sharp reprisal.  This was the dad's meal and even she was not going to take it from him.  At  that very time, some yelps could be heard in the marsh just behind us.  Several pups were calling for their mom as they made their way from the den to the water's edge.  Since Mom was aware that Mark and I were on the pier, she slipped a bit farther down to the marsh edge and barked for her babes to come hither.  They followed her voice and were soon to be seen plopping from the marsh into the water.  From there, she coaxed them to my brother's pier and remained with them for the entirety of my stay on the pier.  As for the dad?  He went on his merry way after getting his belly full. 

Not Exactly The Plan

   As usual, Mark and I headed to the pier just about daylight.  We had high hopes of catching a few fish for our lunch and to also use as crab bait.  That was the plan...it just did not happen.  He was throwing the net to catch menhaden or little mullet to use as bait when, all of a sudden, that net was about wrenched from his hands!  Whoa!  He had something huge!  As he lugged the thing to the pier, we both had to grimace.  Ugh!  His net had gone over an enormous snapping turtle.  That old fellow was in one foul mood after being ensnared which made it tricky business to untangle him.  While Mark held the net taught to keep the turtle from getting even more tangled, I used the scoop net handle to free the critter.  Once that was done, the turtle made a hasty retreat back into the water. I was in no mood to mess with him any more!  It was then that we noticed the huge hole in the net.  Well...that was not a happy thing.

  Mark got the net from the small skiff and started throwing again.  Whomp!  Yep, he had thrown the net right over something huge again!  This time, there was a lot more splashing going on as he pulled on the rope.  Reaching down, he hauled a huge Black Drumfish onto the pier.  Ugh...again.  We surely did not need THAT much fish!  The fish, like the turtle, was untangled and released.  Also...again...another huge hole was to be found in the net.  Again...not a happy thing.

  It seemed as if fish were not to be on the menu today nor were the crab traps going to be baited.  We may have started out with grand intentions but things did not play out in our favor.  It was time to head back to the Little Bayou House to mend nets and figure out just what to cook for the day.

There is a painting in that sunrise!

   That time just before the sun shows its face above the pines on the opposite side of the Bayou is my favorite time of day.  Usually by then, I have been up for a while and have most of my indoor chores completed.  I can head to the pier to collect the thoughts before starting in on the garden.  Between the pier and garden, I am not sure which would be called my "favorite place" but that pier sure has a strong hold. I go to watch the sunrise and see Mark off as he heads fishing.  He and I fully agree that "There is nothing like fresh fish for lunch."

  Sometimes, that sunrise can stir the brain a bit and cause the imagination to set in motion.  This probably comes from time spent with my grandparents as they both encouraged my creative endeavors even at a young age.  Granddad, especially, would push me with "Can you see a painting in that sunrise?"  I could and I would try.  My painting abilities never reached the quality that I wished but it matters not.  I still "see" that painting.  

  A couple of days ago, Mark and I were remarking about how the fog had settled in on the marsh just enough to make the sun stay dark until it was well over the tops of the pines.  I took photograph after photograph of this mysterious beauty, all the while, hearing Granddad's voice reminding me to look for the painting.  I can see it.  I wish I could paint it.  Perhaps, Darling Daughter will fulfill that wish for me. Granddad is the inspiration, I will provide the photograph and she can work her magic on the canvas!  

Holiday Visitors....Critter Style!

   I have to admit that this time of year is a favorite.  This is not necessarily due to the hustle and bustle of the holidays (something I could do without and be totally happy) but rather that visitors of the critter sort come to visit.  The Bayou seems to attract ducks like a magnet attracts iron.  Seeing the wild assortment of ducks migrating here never ceases to thrill me to the core.  I am not sure why but they just do.  Perhaps it is because if wildlife is drawn to the area, that means the area is still pure enough for life to continue.  This may not be the case for long with the influx of people that have suddenly converged on the area but, for now, my friends have come...and I am happy to see them.

  On a whim, I quit baking cookies and Mark and I took a hike to the pier.  As soon as I stepped on the first plank, a surprise was noticed.  The Hoodies are here!  A dozen or more Hooded Mergansers were huddled beneath the pier!  I eased my way down the pier trying to step easy and not make the planks sound like thundering xylophone!  The birds still heard me and started gradually swimming out into the open water.  This was when I noticed dozens more to my left!  Oh, my!  The Hoodies brought family and friends!  Last year, we only had perhaps ten but, this year, there were at least twice that many!!

  Not wanting to scare my friends, Mark and I just casually walked to the end of the pier as if we did not even notice the ducks.  They did skitter across the water a bit but soon settled back down just to stare back at us.   Welcome to the Bayou, my friends.  Please feel free to stay as long as you please!  This...this is my type of holiday season!  Critter friends are the best.

After The Dive

   The little female Belted Kingfisher that hangs around between the pier and my brother's pier has become rather accustomed to my presence.  At first, even getting that sought after photograph was difficult.  She darted here and there and was never sitting still enough for the camera to focus on her.  This morning was foggy but my little friend was still busy catching breakfast.  She was sitting on a rope strung between two posts on my brother's pier.  She would wait for an unsuspecting fish to swim close to the water's surface then dive down to retrieve it.  She is very adept at catching most any fish she deems to be a meal. 

  While I watched, she caught several before settling in to "clean up the mess".  Her feathers were soaked between the dive and the heavy fog...time for a bath! Using her long beak, the little bird thoroughly went through every feather...from head to toe!  Several times she fluffed the feathers out which made her look twice her actual size!

  Once she cleared the feathers of most of the water, she began preening.  Preening is a method of "oiling" the feathers to keep them somewhat waterproof but also in good condition.  Birds use oil from a uropygial gland that is near the base of their tails.  They use their beaks to smooth the oil on each feather then on their legs and feet.  It seems that birds have quite the "beauty" routine but this is merely a method of protecting their feathers and leg/feet scales.  

  After my bird friend finished, she flew off to another perch high in a pine tree near the marsh.  For me, I already had dozens of photographs and a light coating of fog settling on my clothing.  It was time for me to head back to the Little Bayou House and clean up myself!

Rattling Call, Incredible Speed...The Belted Kingfisher!

   Belted Kingfishers are rather skittish birds.  They are shy and tend to stay away from people if at all possible.  Add their incredible speed and you can easily see why the birds are notoriously difficult to photograph.  This makes the "hunt" interesting.  Sometimes the only indication that a kingfisher is in the area is its call.  The bird is usually solitary and only meets up with another during breeding season.  

  One thing that is a bit unusual about the Belted Kingfishers is that the female is more brightly colored than the male.  If you see one with an extra "belt" of rust color across its chest, that is the female.  Males lack this and are only blue and white.  There is some question as to why the female is more colorful since this is not the norm.  Usually, male birds are brightly colored to attract females and the females are muted as to stay hidden while on the nest.  What gives with the kingfishers?  

  One explanation that seems most logical is, that since kingfishers are highly territorial, the rust-colored band gives a resident male a clue that he need not defend his territory but should welcome the visitor.  When in the midst of many battles with other (intruder) males, that bit of color is sort of like a flag.  The male can easily distinguish the female as a possible mate instead of an interloper.

  This morning, I heard the rattling call of a kingfisher near the pier.  Determined to get my photograph, I plunked myself down and waited.  I was rewarded when a female bird landed on a tall pole on my brother's pier.  Ahh!  I had to be quick!  I snapped exactly one picture before the bird dove into the water, snatched a fish and flew to a nearby pine tree.  She was gone...but I had my picture!

The Weirdness Continues!

   With the drought still upon us (16wks with no rain), the salinity in the Bay and Bayou has vastly changed.  With that change, there has been a huge change in the critters, as well.  All of our brackish water creatures have gone farther up into the rivers leaving the saltiness behind.  Now, fish and sea creatures from the Gulf of Mexico are converging into our area.  This makes for some interesting fishing.  The Bay and Bayou are still filled with life...just of a different ilk.

  This morning, Mark and I headed back to the pier in hopes of catching enough fish for lunch.  Today, that was easy.  As I was throwing the net, I caught some nice mullet and a few shrimp.  Seafood is always welcome as a meal!  Then, I had to turn the net over to him simply because I caught something "interesting".  (Son always says that I have a short attention span and get easily distracted.  I say things are interesting.)  Anyway, it was time to do a quick photo shoot of the latest "weird critter caught from the pier"!

  This time, I caught a squid!  Squid are normally NEVER up this far.  These are strictly...very strictly "sea" creatures. They need that saltwater to live.  Well, that just shows how salty our Bay is right now.  This is actually a White Squid or Brief Squid or Loligunclia brevis...according to my expert in the field of sea creatures.  (Yes, Andre is truly an expert so I trust his identifications.)  It really did not matter what the critter was called, it was cute.  I knew it was a squid and did not belong near the pier so that was a good enough reason for me to drop the net and pick up the camera.  I took a few pictures and let my friend go back into the water.  Several folks had to reprimand me for letting it go as it could have been used as bait but I figured I had plenty of menhaden so the wayward critter got a reprieve.  So...the weirdness continues and I shall keep photographing! 

"Bayou" Mackerel?

   Yesterday's catch from the pier was a gigantic stingray.  I am still a bit sore from battling that monster but it was about as fun as it gets for anyone who loves to fish.  The challenge of landing a huge creature is thrilling.  Thankfully, the stingray will live to see another day.  That catch had me a bit pumped about heading back to the pier this morning.  After catching more menhaden for bait, Mark and I settled in for the morning of fishing.  It was not long before we had a few bites from catfish and trout. The morning looked promising!

  Then...leave it to me...an odd thing happened.  While watching a pod of dolphins making their way toward the pier, my line started zinging out.  Setting the hook, the battle began.  This was not nearly as tough as the stingray but, boy, did that fish jump about the place.  Thinking perhaps I had a ladyfish that are known to do a lot of jumping when hooked, I kept reeling.  Once I pulled the 18in fish onto the pier, I realized that this was definitely not one that I should be catching in our brackish water.  How in the world??  This was a Spanish Mackerel!  This fish should be out in the salty Gulf...not here by the pier!

  Actually, the drought has caused the salinity of the Bay and Bayou to go haywire.  What is normally considered brackish water has become quite salty do to the lack of rain.  This saltiness allows Gulf fish to venture up into the Bay.  With the overload of menhaden around the pier, it only makes sense that the fish will follow.  Without much promise of rain in the forecast, my daily fishing may continue to bring a few surprises.  As with the stingray (which we do occasionally catch here...salty or not), the mackerel went free.  I really did not want to clean that fish with all the "pin" bones.  Call me lazy but I prefer something a bit easier to fillet.  Go free, fishy!  I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
 

Not Really What I Wanted To Catch!

   So...this morning, I was up bright and early, had coffee and, then, the cat and I headed out the front door.  Bat went his way to check what had happened overnight and I made my way to the pier.  Once there, the pitch blackness of 5am surrounded me with an eerie, cloaked feeling.  As I sat listening to the "daytime" birds starting to twitter, a different sound suddenly surrounded me. Ahh, the pipping of menhaden! Yep, within just a few moments, the entire area was filled with schools of the finest "fishin' size" bait!  Well, that meant only one thing to me...it was time to catch bait and fish a while.  After throwing the net just one time, I had several hundred of the tiny fish.  Two buckets of water gave enough room for about 30 baits.  Now to go shake Mark out of bed so he could join me.

  Our fishing started out with a bang!  Even though we caught nary a "good" fish, the baits were steadily being taken.  Gafftopsails and hardhead catfish were the catches of the day.  This was fine because they both make fine bait for the crab pots.  After landing several, I noticed that my line was acting "funny".  The fish was not taking the bait and running with it but, rather, just nibbling.  Hmm?  I taunted the fish for just a second and...wham!...off it went like a shot.  I jerked back to set the hook and that purely must have angered the monster on my hook.  The drag went to singing and, no matter how I tried, I could not turn the fish.  This tug-o-war was real!  I would gain a few feet of line and the fish would take it (and more) back.  Goodness!  

  The first thought was that I had hooked a huge redfish but it did not take long to realize that was a mistake.  Once I saw mud swirling up from the bottom, I knew just what I had but this rascal must be huge.  I battled.  The fish battled.  Then, finally, I was able to pull it to the top and near the pier.  Mark had the good idea of trying to get it in the scoop net but the fish would not fit in the 22 inch rim. "Just let it be," I told him.  He was determined to land the thing and took the pole from my hands.  I knew I was never going to be able to haul that thing up on the pier.  Snap!  The line broke and the fish glided back under the pier.

  Any fisherman could tell you just what I had hooked.  Yep.  A gigantic stingray had decided my bait was delicious so it took the whole bait, hook and sinker.  Personally, while it saddens me to know the fish has a hook lodged in its mouth, I am glad the line broke.  Let that huge thing live another day.  It deserved life after that battle when all it wanted was breakfast.  Besides, it was not particularly what I wanted to catch.  I was sure hoping for that redfish!

Just Paddlin' Along!

   As one might guess, I spend a lot of time on the pier.  It is one of the places that brings complete tranquility...there and the swamps.  It is while I am in these places that I find some of my best "friends"...those of the critter sort.  Yesterday's friend was a young seagull that seemed to be quite interested in my fishing bait.  Gulls have been known to steal a few of the menhaden that I use to catch my lunch or catch catfish for the crab pots.  This gull was just waiting for its chance!  So... to avoid snagging the gull in an attempt to pull my bait from its beak, I decided to just toss the bird a few minnows.  That would satisfy it and, thus, keep it safe.

  Before being fed, the bird sat on the post of my brother's pier.  Our piers are a short distance apart so the gull had a perfect "bird's eye view" of the happenings on our pier. Once I offered it the minnows, it came to visit then decided to fly southward over the water.  Instead of going back to the pier post, the goofy gull took a swim.  Yep, for the next hour, the gull paddled around like a duck.  It seemed to be one happy camper just floating on the water and never made an effort to find a perching spot.  This was the longest that I have witnessed a gull swim.  Those little webbed feet where getting a workout!  Its belly was full so now it could just paddle away the morning without a care in the world.

Nine Catfish, One Stingray, One Trout and a Big Lizard!

   Early this morning, I caught a few menhaden so Mark and I could go fishing.  The end of the pier is my choice of fishing spots as it is convenient.  If the fish are not biting, I can simply head back to the gardens to work.  This morning, however, we were determined to catch some hardhead catfish to use as crab bait.  It was not long before the fish started biting and I was pulling in one catfish after another. Suddenly, the pull bent downward and the drag started humming.  I knew I had something a bit larger than a hardhead. One nice gafftopsail (catfish) was hauled to the pier.  Then, another good pull and a stingray was flopped onto the pier.  That could be used as crab bait, as well!  At one point, Mark was swishing around in the bait bucket to hand me a minnow, when I heard his line going out like crazy!  I grabbed the pole and pulled in a small trout.  Well...maybe our lunch?  Catfish continued to bite until I had to head back to chores.  All in all, it was a good morning!

  As I walked back up to the pier, I became exasperated.  In the edge of the marsh was a large piece of plastic.  Since it was out of reach, I grabbed my reel and tossed the hook over the edge of the plastic.  The hook slid around and caught hold of an attached rope.  Smooth sailing!  The plastic sheet easily came to the pier.  I picked it up and had to start giggling.  After all of those fish, I had now caught a "Big Lizard"!  It seems this was one of those "boogie boards" or "wake boards" that I have seen young folks using.  (Not sure on either of those terms.)  Anyway, the name printed on the top was "Big Lizard"!  I wonder where that came from? It sort of fit...maybe?  I went from fishing to the garden and caught a big lizard?  Anyway, the morning was fun and now...beautiful rain!  Hopefully, it will rain all night and end this dreadful drought!

Just A Cousin

    Sometimes, extended family can be the closest friends you can have...sometimes.  Sometimes, those same family members can be the very ones that will throw you under the bus if ever a chance occurs.  It all boils down to that old adage of "It is better to have an honest enemy than a fake family."  When things come to light, there oftentimes comes a need to purge...family or not. Seriously, though, family is (in most cases) exactly what is needed to make life livable.  The closeness, the love, the laughter...that...THAT is pure bliss.

  This morning, I found a cousin...not of mine but a cousin to another critter.  Most folks are keenly aware of the adorable seahorses that are found the warmer waters of the world. These fine fish are found near coral reefs and in seagrass beds where they have protection from larger predators.  (Yes, they are fish.)  Here, we have an abundance of pipefish.  Pipefish are the sweet cousins of the seahorses!  Like their cousins they tend to hide among the underwater plants as they go about eating tiny plankton.  I occasionally catch one when I am throwing the net for mullet or bait fish.  I marvel at the beauty and then carefully release the tiny critters.

  It is easy to see the "family resemblance" if you ever take the time to really observe the pipefish.  Their heads and "snouts" are so much like that of the seahorses.  These snouts are specialized to capture small prey that other fish overlook.  Also, like their cousins, pipefish are extremely camouflaged and can go unseen in a bed of seagrass.  This helps them avoid being eaten and also helps them to capture food.  Another way they are like their cousins, is the male pipefish gives birth not the female.  He has a specialized brood pouch which can hold up to dozens of eggs or tiny pipefish!  

  So...there you have it!  Cousins...seahorses and pipefish!  Oh...let us not forget their other cousins...the sea dragons but they are way over in Australia not around my Bayou!

Learning to Trust

   Redwing Blackbirds are some of my favorite birds simply because they are brave (or daring) little birds.  The male is so protective of his territory that he will attack just about anything that ventures too close to one of the nests.  This is quite the undertaking because Redwing Blackbirds are polygamous so the male can be protecting up to a dozen or more nests at any given time in "his" territory. Once the females create nests, lay eggs and fledge the broods, it is solely his job to protect them all.  (Don't go feeling too badly for him as it is his idea to have this many wives.)  Anyway, the bird thinks nothing of divebombing the cat, a hawk, a snake or a human if any of them wander into the territory. He does a good job of keeping the females and little ones safe.

  The General ll takes his job just as seriously as did his forerunner THE General.  For several years, General kept the marshes pretty clear of any marauding critters.  After he passed, General ll took over and accepted the duties.  The first General and I had become good friends.  He knew that I would never harm any of his wards.  This came from my daily visits to the pier.  I would talk with the bird as if he could understand my every word. The bird would cock his head to the side and listen intently but would never leave his perch other than to strut his stuff on the pier boards.  General ll has not gotten to know me as well.  He is still wary of my presence but will, at least, sit atop the pier post or on a dead limb and listen to my prattle. We are slowly making progress.  

  Early this morning, General ll surprised me by flying from the dead limb to greet me.  There was no divebombing nor scolding.  He knew I was heading to the end of the pier so he flew to the post and started his song.  This is the first time he seemed to be fully relaxed.  He is getting to know my habits and is beginning to show a trust in me.  This makes me happy as I figure we had better get along since we will be seeing a lot of each other.  Welcome, General ll!  I look forward to our visits!