Sunday, September 18, 2005
Wood Stork
It has been said there are only two seasons here, wet and dry.
There are more than two seasons.
One must learn from nature to properly identify them.
We are entering the fall season. This is the time when the migrating birds return.
Two days ago I saw some wood storks. They herald the coming of fall.
The swamps, ponds, and ditches are getting smaller now, and the food is more easily obtainable. Two weeks ago there was too much water.
All summer long the fish, crayfish, frogs, and whatever else, have been re-populating.
Now, as the bodies of water get smaller, prey is easier to obtain.
The wood storks feed by swishing their large open beaks in the shallows. When their prey enter, the beak snaps shut and "dinner is ready, dear."
I have seen storks stir the water with one foot while standing on the other, in order to encourage the small fry to action which results in some of them being transferred from water, to beak to.................
They are spectacular in flight, have a five foot wing span and come here to breed.
If there is too much rain, or too little, the parents abandon the nests and few fledglings survive to maturity.
I hope they do well this year and return again and again to entertain me as they soar above, and swish their beaks in the shallows.
Shalom Y'all and God Bless
Charlie
