Mr. Sparkles

   I always say that you never know what you will find in the Little Bayou House.  It is filled with oddities that have come to call the place home by pure happenstance most of the time.  Then, there are the living things that somehow find their way in for a visit.  Critters that live around the Bayou are not overly picky about their living quarters so any nook or cranny will suffice.  This does not usually cause too much concern as I simply put the critters back outside where they belong with a stern warning not to return.  We have had birds, raccoons, possums, squirrels, snakes, frogs, lizards and every possible (or so I thought) insect creepy-crawling or slithering about the house at some point.  Hmmm...we even had a baby otter visit but that was not by his choice.  Back when the kids were growing up, they found critters, brought them home and called them pets.  These wild "pets" were allowed a short stay before they were returned to where they were found.  I assumed this was a learning experience since my siblings and I did the same.  I guess a house is a home to a lot more than just the human family that resides there.

  This morning, I was sweeping the dust bunnies out of the living room when I noticed a "sparkly" on the floor.  Assuming this was some random bead left over from my granddaughter's stay a few weeks ago, I reached down and picked up said sparkly.  Hmmm...beads do not wiggle.  Yep, it was a bug.  Another critter had found its way inside the house.  "Sparkles" (its name now) was unlike any critter that I had seen before.  It literally seemed like it was covered with glitter. Most of the time, it gleamed bright green but occasionally certain spots seemed gold.  Time for a few photographs before "Sparkles" headed back outside. 

  After a little research, I have about decided this is none other than a Metallic Woodboring Beetle.  There are numerous types but, thankfully, this is not a "bad" beetle.  Yes, it does gnaw on wood but only on dead or dying trees (which there are many here due to termites.  Yep, termites have infested the live trees.)  Anyway, what I found most interesting about Sparkles is that it is really not all those colors.  Its exoskeleton has divots on the surface and those only reflect certain colors.  Mr. Sparkles obviously loves green!...and maybe gold!  Actually, the whole critter is iridescent but the little divots reflect the most light...sort of like an inverse disco ball!  

  The beetle was so pretty that I had to carry it all the way down to the canebrake where Son was pulling out the dead canes.  While showing him our glittery friend, he suggested that it may have come in with an armload of firewood.  Ahh, probably right!  My first thought was to return Mr. Sparkles to the outdoor wood rack but then I had the horrible thought that he may not make it through the next cold spell.  It was pure luck that he crawled out of the firewood in time with his first adventure indoors.  He may not be so lucky next time!  So...I made the decision to let the critter loose on the old oak stump.  There, he could find lots of old wood to munch and some pretty snug places to overwinter if the weather turns cold.  Now...I can mark Metallic Woodboring Beetle off the list of Little Bayou House guests!  Like I said, you never know just what you might find here.

 

A Hundred or So Visitors

   The day passed quite uneventful other that a few hundred visitors that came to the Bayou.  Son was just coming back up the hill from working on the pier when I decided to bring him a glass of lemonade.  We sat in the Small Gardens to chat while he refreshed.  Suddenly, there was a rush of wings and lots of squeaky calls.  Looking up, we saw hundreds of cedar waxwings filling the sky!  Every bare tree in the front yard soon became a perching spot for the birds.  The birds called to each other but stayed put for the rest of the morning.  Then, they dispersed in search of food which they found on the yaupon trees, mistletoe clumps and nandina bushes.  It was quite cheery to hear the birds!

  Mid afternoon saw the birds regrouping in the treetops.  There, they will spend the night then most likely take flight again on their way northward.  Their "pitstop" on the Bayou has become a yearly event and one that will never cease to leave me in awe.  These beautiful birds are always welcome to come "cleanup" the berries still on the bushes.  Happiness comes when least expected.  Travel safe, my friends!  See you next year!

Pink Blurs and Happy Giggles

  As long as I can remember, there have been tales told about the Bayou and its denizens....and I am not talking critters here.  There were tales of lynchings, plane crashes and weird fire balls floating through the air.  Whether any of these were true, remains to be seen (except for the fire balls...they ARE real) but sometimes I have to wonder if some paranormal things occur.  Occasionally, something will strike a chord and make me think.  If you remember from posts past, I have discussed weird faces appearing on a wall, pictures literally flying off the shelf and even strange noises in the Little Bayou House.  (As a note here, the first Bayou House, which inexplicably burned to the ground, had its share of odd happenings, too.)  While these strange occurrences send some folks in a fit of nervousness or even fear, I have yet to be afraid.  Yes, I do feel that "something" odd is happening and perhaps there are unexplained "visitors" here but not once have I been frightened. 

  A few days back, I randomly took some photos of an old oak tree that stands right on the marsh edge.  The tree, in itself, is pretty innocuous but as I was photographing the tree, I could hear laughter.  I brushed it off as giggles from the children across the Bayou and nothing more.  My photography session lasted a few more moments but I could not shake the feeling that someone was nearby.  I had the strange feeling that this old oak tree had been the "play house" of children long before my own were climbing the limbs.  

  After viewing the eight pictures that I took of the tree, one stood out as a bit unusual.  All photos were taken from the same spot in the yard and all were taken within a minute, yet, one was far different.  In fact, one photograph even "felt" different.  I have always heard that orbs and blurs in a photograph were paranormal beings.  These were not blemishes but visitors.  Perhaps?  Maybe for folks who believe that we occasionally have encounters the oddities bring a hint of solace.  The oak tree in the one picture had a strange blur which could either be explained away as the sun glinting on the lens or be taken as something more.  When you throw in the giggles at the same time, one has to wonder.  Then again..a pink orb or blur is explained as being a happy entity full of fun and love so I figure the giggles fit right in with my blur.  Maybe?  It is all good.

Wearing the Finest!

  After working all day yesterday, Son and I were picking up our tools when, suddenly, I saw a flock of birds!  Son always tells me that I have a very short attention span and that I am easily amused so it was no small wonder that I had to hustle down to the pier to investigate.  I figured that these had to be egrets since they were white but I had never seen so many flock together!  Easing my way down the board path, I was careful not to flush the birds from their spot.  I wanted to get past the groundsel bushes so a clear photograph could be taken.  I needn't have fretted.  This flock of thirty or so birds (half on the pier, half in the marsh) was not going anywhere!  They were intent on resting a bit.  I was able to get within about forty feet from the flock.  There, I sat in awe.  The birds were gorgeous!  Their gleaming white feathers were offset by pinkish gold crowns, chest and back feathers!  Oh, my!

  When I saw the colors, it was immediately evident that these were visitors to the Bayou.  Once a year, flocks of Cattle Egrets fly in just to let me admire their breeding plumage! (At least, I figure that is why they come!...Oh, yeah. Son says I have a very vivid imagination, too, but we won't go there, now will we?)  There were twenty-nine Cattle Egrets and one Snowy Egret in this flock.  Wait! What?  Why was that Snowy in there??  

  The birds allowed me to visit without worry.  Then, suddenly, half of them hopped down into the marsh and started searching for fiddler crabs or insects (I could not decide which).  As I watched the last few hopped one by one to join the others.  They made no effort to go any further than just off the pier and did not seem to mind that I shifted positions occasionally to swipe away mosquitoes and gnats.  

  The flock of Cattle Egrets stayed overnight on the pier then headed off into the back of the Bayou.  I suppose the stormy weather urged them on their way as it was not long before the pier was underwater and the winds were pounding the Bayou.  I am thankful for the time I got to spend watching the birds and viewing their incredible beauty.  If I ever again hear anyone say "Oh, those are JUST Cattle Egrets.", I will likely whip out the photos and prove to them that the birds are stunningly beautiful.  I am glad they graced the Bayou with their presence even though it was a short-lived visit.  See you next year, Pretty Birds!  I look forward to seeing you dressed in your Easter finery!

Awaiting the Christmas "Storm"

  So...for the moment, the Little Bayou House is quiet.  All is calm...the calm before the storm...soon that storm called "grandchildren at Christmastime" is set to hit.  The Bayou will be rocking for the next few days but it will be fun.  We do not get to see the grandlittles often as they live in Georgia and the trip to Bayou can be arduous when traveling with little ones.  We do not get to go there often as Mark's work schedule keeps him busy.  When we are finally together, we try to cram everything possible into the few short days.  Then, it is heartbreaking to see them climb in the van to head back home or for us to see them waving goodbye from their doorway as we head back to the Coast. It is hard not being near.

  This will be our first Christmas to spend with the children.  Hopefully, we can make it a memorable one and they will be able to look back fondly and say "I remember baking cookies with MawMaw!"  "It was fun picking satsumas with PawPaw!" or even "Remember all of the crazy decorations at the Little Bayou House?"  It matters not the memories, as long as there were some made.

  Speaking of decorations and cookies, all are ready for the "Big Visit".  Lights are strung, garland hung, baubles dangled....the Little Bayou House is bedecked!  Cookies, brownies and mini pecan pies are filling the trays with more ready to be baked.  Tomorrow will see the kids decorating gingerbread men, cutting snowflakes and eating more cookies than they probably should.   This is all part of the fun.

  Merry Christmas from all of us here on the Bayou.  May the blessings of Christmas stay with you throughout the coming year and may you find peace and happiness untold.  God bless!

 

When Friends Come Calling

  It seems as if critters of all sorts have taken a liking to the Bayou and surrounding woods.  There are even tales of  Black Bears in the area so I would not be surprised if some day, I open my door to find one on the porch asking for a meal.  Actually, I would be happy to have one here simply because others do not take kindly to critters scampering about the place.  I am afraid that our neighborhood bear will wind up being shot by some stupid person that has a major fear of animals.  Most folks just cannot share their space.  I can.  But, back to my most recent encounter...which by the way, was not a bear.  

  Several years ago, two quail decided to pay a visit to the bird feeders out in the front yard.  I was surprised to see them and even more surprised that they seemed to be awfully tame.  At that time, I even pondered if they may have been domesticated pets.  I fed the birds and made friends with them.  They got to the point that the pair would eat from my hand and the hen would lounge under whatever lawn chair I was using.  She was most sweet.  These birds hung around for some time and then were gone.  I worried that the hawk had made a meal out of them.  I worried. 

  Two years past with no visit from the quail family.  Then, this morning, I heard the familiar call.  The male was calling from behind the shed but the female was not returning his calls.  I slipped out the front door and was intending on quietly finding the male when I realized that the little hen was back by the old benches that look over the Bay.  The pretty little thing never even worried about me coming out the gate.  She simply moved a few feet away from the bench and out onto the grass.  There she stopped, turned and stared at me.  It was as if she remembered something....something about me?  I am not even sure if these are the same birds or if perhaps offspring of the original pair.  I am just happy to have them in the yard.  A handful of birdseed seemed to satisfy the little hen and it was not long before she headed back behind the shed to be with hubby. 

  Yep, it is always a grand day to find critters making a return visit to the Bayou.  Now if I can just find that bear family!  I think I may need a bigger supply of handouts!

Unexpected visitors!

Have you ever noticed how unexpected visitors can brighten a dreary day! Today was that sort of day..the weather was somewhat frightful as the song says but the fire inside was delightful..and holiday guests make everything right. Several wonderful guests dropped in bearing the most delicious gifts! First, my lovely cousin dropped in with some of the most mouthwatering candies and cookies she had made. A whole tray of goodies! There were even some homemade Divinity! Jamie Lynn made this using her mother's (my sweet aunt) recipe! I remember savoring Divinity made by my aunt. Each year a tray of this would make its way to our house and we, as children, were allowed one piece now and again. Oh! How delightful this was! It definitely lived up to its name..it was heavenly! And now a tray of the delights..along with assorted cookies and pralines! I think I gained an instant ten pounds just dreaming of these sweet tidbits!

Then before Jamie Lynn left, in come two other guests! My brother-in-law, William and beautiful sister-in-law, Reva came bearing gifts! Oh, my goodness! These were the most incredible homemade caramel apples ever! They were huge! And covered with all sorts of goodies and beautifully wrapped! What a treat these were! (Note: "were" as in past tense as they disappeared rather quickly along with about half of my dear cousin's cookies!) William and Reva's visits never fail to cheer me!

After our guests went on their way, hubby and I tried out the lights that were strung on the eaves of the house before the unexpected pleasure of company. Another Christmas joyance.. another smile. Flipping that switch always brings a bit of excitement! They all worked! Yay! Now the Bayou is really being to look a lot like Christmas! It is so festive! Tomorrow..weather permitting..the tree on the pier will receive its lights and all decorating will be complete! Now, if I can only get this shopping finished!.. Gifts wrapped!.. Baking done!.. Oh my! Where has the time flown?!!