We had no intention of getting a pet of any kind...then this guy showed up uninvited. We have named him Eddie. He could be Edie.
Eddie worked his way slowly into the back yard. He gently plucked our goldfish, one by one, out of the small pond in the backyard. Now Eddie hangs out on the patio. Our lizards are in mortal fear. Any walking insect from ant-sized on up is a target for Eddie. His long yellow beak is deadly. Eddie will stand looking at us at the kitchen table, with his beak almost pressed against the glass. I was eating some shrimp last night and Eddie begged until I went out to the patio and gave hin a couple. Once he plucked food from my hand.Eddie is solid white, except for his LONG black legs and LONG yellow beak. He is known as a Great Egret. Around the turn of the century the male's breeding plumage was so popular as feathers for women's hats that the Great Egret was in danger of extinction. The practice changed and they have survived. We have them all over the shorelines around Rockport, but NEVER one on our patio. When we were telling Lee and Ranell goodbye this morning at the front driveway....they had backed to the street and Eddie flew over the house from the backyard and stood near us to see them off! No fooling! Ann thinks he is wacko. Dr. Edwards thinks he is very smart. I think he is neat. We will have to house-break him on the patio. Eddie may be here awhile until a beautiful Edie flys by. Come real soon, Edie!!
