"Strange Animals"
In most housing developments of South Florida, there are lakes or ponds within the community. We have one in what would be our backyard, and it gives me great pleasure to sit on the porch and admire the view! Often times, the birds come flocking up the lower banks and wait for handouts of some sort. I've identified Coots, Muscovy Ducks, and Ibis, hanging around for free food. Ocassionally an Osprey will circle over head and skim the top of the lake as if it were merely dipping it's toes (or should I say talons?), instead of hunting for fish. And speaking of fish, I am sure there are many species in the lake, I have seen catfish, and what looks to be minnows of some sort, or perhaps offspring of some of the larger fish, and tadpoles. Though I have not seen frogs or toads by the lake, they must be close by to leave their young in the water to grow.
Anyway, at one time I was told the lake is stocked with Peacock Bass something I would be unfamiliar with. Often in the afternoons or early evenings, kids, teens, and even some adults would come down to the water with buckets in hand, and fishing gear. I assume to catch the bass, as I was told it was a decent fish to eat. Perhaps more for the sport of it, I never really saw any of them pull up much worth cooking.
Recently, I was out back in the morning enjoying the beautiful day that was to unfold, and here come the freeloaders! So I went inside and grabbed a few slices of bread to tear up and feed the hungry mouths awaiting. I chucked some pieces out ont the grass for them to find, and some in the shallows of the water. I see some of the coots scatter as if a predator was lurking below and I couldn't figure out why. They swam away from the floating bread crumbs. Then suddenly a shadow of something caught me eye! It was a huge fish, and it was skimming the water for crumbs too! It would come up and surface to eat the soggy bread and then swim over to another piece. It was becoming territorial towards the birds, so it would literally chase them off if they floated to closely to were the food was. Pretty amazing to see.
What was even more amazing was that another fish appeared and they became competative with each other! Because of the size of these fish, I had to assume these were the infamous Peacock Bass that thrived in the lake. My guess, they are about 20 inches or so, and not starving by any means! I got some great pictures of them, and then captured the video of them feeding. They seem to know when I am feeding the birds and appear to get their share of the food. Every morning, like clockwork!
Mother Nature is amazing!
