Egrets In The Trees

Cruising did a ride at dusk which included a fine latte' from Coffee Fusion. Coffee Fusion and Java Jo'z can do some coffee up right! Only stiff competition they have might be a Cafe Au Lait from Cafe' du Monde in New Orleans' French Quarter - with a sack of beignets, of course!

An unexpected find was that the water at the Ocean Springs Inner Harbor has returned to its natural level. Many boats are back in their slips, and other than very slight damage to some of the boardwalk by the fish cleaning station, the harbor itself is looking good.

A very pleasant surprise was to look up and see nine great white egrets roosting in two trees behind Inner Harbor Park. What graceful creatures they are! Even at night under the fluorescent street lights, their stark white feathers against the darkened trees seem magical to this observer. Though gone to roost, most had not yet bedded down for the night. A great deal of preening was taking place.

As it is assumed that East Beach and Front Beach Roads aren't ready for through traffic, a loop back around and over the bridge overlooking the main harbor confirmed that things are returning to normal.

On many posts rested Brown Pelicans. Most were dozing with heads tucked. Cruising calls them "footballs", as that is what they resemble with heads tucked under a wing, and feet tucked under the body. (Surely years of watching University of Alabama football would not play into this mental image.) Most were youngsters with fully brown heads, but a more mature white head was among the bunch. One of the youngsters closely eyed Cruising's transport vehicle as it made its approach. Whether attention drawn to our presence was out of curiosity or annoyance could not be determined.

What a pleasure it is to be able to be cruising in the wild again!