Oh, Pardon Me!

We all value our privacy, particularly at the most intimate times.

Imagine our family's surprise during a last minute outing at sunset to Davis Bayou to stumble upon Mr and Mrs Gator, shall we say, "in a loving embrace". Certainly, it was not something we expected. Yet, we were in awe - not in the way of a voyeur, but in that the creatures of the Earth know the exact time that it is best and proper to court and bring forth their young in a way that most ensures the survival of their species.

Perhaps curtains on the park roadside are in order.

Can't Beat This Trip

My, my, my. Sometimes places you imagine will be good are even better. So it was with the first tour many of us made with McCoy Pascagoula River tours yesterday afternoon. Captain Bennie McCoy, who has lived his life along this magnificent river, expertly took us from marsh to bayou to swamp and back again.

Even when the distance isn't great from shoreline, one gets the feeling that they are a thousand miles away in another world. The abundance of birds of all types, including a fly-over by a swallow-tailed kite, was amazing. Equally amazing was the 11 foot plus alligator that tolerated a fairly near pass to check him out. His head was absolutely huge!

Way too often, we get caught up in our own little world, thinking that's all there is worthy of our attention.

It takes a trip out in the wild to remind us that we are, indeed, missing out on something really special each day when we don't stop to appreciate this incredible Earth we have been blessed with.

A Birth! (Or Should I Say BirthS)!

Newborns are so sweet, whether they are human or another of God's many creatures.

The newborns who came into the world on Thursday, April 24, 2008, in Moss Point, MS are no exception. To a young lady, six babies were born. She arrived at her delivery spot already near her "time". Where she came from? We do not know, but within 48 hours of her arrival, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center heralded the arrival of her six children. Born throughout the day, they varied in color - 2 orange, one black and white, one calico, one gray and white tabby, and one solid black. Mom, a youngster herself, figured out how to take care of her young ones right away. Tired from her ordeal, she took a few short breaks to eat and drink, but then went back to her nursing babies.

And, now there are 7 new residents - Kitty and her babies - at the Center. Anyone know of a really good home for some precious youngsters in about six weeks??

Banding the Birds

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, an anxious group of humans gathered to welcome several special guests into their midst. The guests were bewildered, if not somewhat miffed about the meeting. It was involuntary, you see. Each of them were simply minding their own business when quite suddenly they were caught. Literally, caught in a net. A mist net, no less - hard to see and even harder to escape from. Brought one by one to the group gathered on the wooden deck, each no doubt wondered if this was it. The end, you know.

It is that way when humans meet the creatures of the Earth. The creatures are afraid because the humans have so many times meant harm. How to communicate to them that no harm is intended? Well, there isn't any way. In fact, it is best left that way - for the next human they see may indeed mean them harm, so flee, they must.

On this day, the humans included two ornithologists and a very excited group of bystanders who gaze at birds at a distance. This would be an up-close view. Our first little fellow was a male Carolina Wren. From far away, he is simply brown with his various markings. Ah, but when you see him at a distance of arms length, you see the reddish tinge his feathers have. Tolerant, he was, particularly with the lady blowing his feathers on his belly to see the actual size of his tiny body underneath those pretty reddish brown feathers. He allowed the humans to take his picture, stroke his head and then place an ever so tiny silver band around his leg. An annoyance for him, but for the people who want to understand his habits and make sure his habitat is suitable and safe, the band was important, should he fly into some other mist net somewhere.

Mr. Cardinal was less tolerant. After allowing a quick photo, he wriggled free and flew away. Mrs. Cardinal was truly indignant. After examination of her, part of the reason must be because she has a nest of little eggs she's sitting on. Blowing the feathers to part them on her tummy revealed a slightly swollen pink area which helps her warm the eggs as she sits. After examining her, weighing her, a few photo ops and several drops of blood she managed to evoke from the ornithologist's hand that she repeatedly bit, she was freed to fly back to her babies. What a story she will have to tell them when they hatch.

What a story the humans will have to tell, too, of their afternoon with the reluctant visitors.

Look Up!

In school traffic today in Ocean Springs, I glanced up as a I crossed the railroad tracks. There, heading in a northeast direction, was a flock of birds - large birds - moving in my general direction. After getting past trees and buildings I stopped at a red light, figuring that they were long gone. Yet, just as we stopped, there they were. Dozens and dozens, flying in a -V-. A quick look in the binoculars confirmed a guess. It was a flock of double crested cormorants. Such handsome birds they are, only in the area for the winter and then off to the north for summertime. Was this group beginning their journey or just moving from the beach to the bayou just inland? Regardless, when it is time for them to leave, we will await anxiously their return later in the year - gracing our shores with skilled diving and a show of beauty on post top when it's time to dry out wings from a jaunt in the water.

Pascagoula River Nature Festival

A special event takes place here in Jackson County in April. Some people are confused when they see Jackson County, MS assuming that it is around Jackson, MS. Jackson County is actually the easternmost county along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and borders Mobile County, AL. Through our fair county here runs the Pascagoula River, a natural migratory bird route, and home to river otters, alligators and a whole lot more.

The Pascagoula River Nature Festival is ongoing right now. There is something to do throughout this week and through the 20th of April in the cities of Moss Point, Gautier, Ocean Springs, Vancleave and Lucedale including talks, tours, food tasting and sooo much more.

You can read all about it at this site!

Pascagoula River Nature Festival

What a privilege it was to hear Pete Dunne, internationally-known ornithologist and author, and Director of the Cape May Bird Observatory, New Jersey. He spoke at an event this weekend and along with his exceptional birding skills, he's a truly entertaining speaker and friendly fellow!
Thanks to him for travelling the distance he did to speak to and teach those of us who love birds on the Coast.

Moving to a New Spot

A little over a week ago, I made a horrible mistake. I didn't listen to my "gut". You know what I mean - that voice inside (God's trying to get your attention!), that says, "Do this." I didn't, though. Not trying to be disobedient or anything, but hestitant. I waited too long, and when I did a gorgeous old tortoise died. Because I hesitated. I should have moved him. Right when I got that "Do this" message. Why did I wait? Because I thought it might be the wrong thing to do. What if I moved him in the wrong direction, and he went back in the road? I should have listened, because by the time I went back, it was too late. He was gone...dead, I mean. I don't like to use that word, but that's what he was. I could have stopped it, but I hesitated. Too long.

So, I vowed to never make that mistake again. Yesterday, near the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, I had the chance to keep my promise. A little guy - a really little guy - was making his way across that same road. This time, I listened. And, I stopped and picked him up, and as I drove to the Center holding him, he tucked his little head, tail and legs in his shell. I know he was scared, but when I took him to the woods near the bayou, far from the road to introduce him to his new home, his gaze met mine. I think maybe he knew he was going to be OK now, at his new place.

When I told my husband what had happened he said, "Maybe this little guy was a baby of the fellow in the road last week."

Maybe so. I feel a little bit redeemed today.