Down At The Culvert

Are you fascinated by fish and fishes? Although some people are allergic to them or like me might have been poisoned in the past, fish provides a delicacy for many - whether boiled, broiled, fried, baked, grilled or eaten raw. Vegans and vegetarians have eliminated fish from their diet. Although I favour a lacto-ovo- vegetarian diet, I include fish occasionally.

Hubbing motivates me as a writer. After my hub Mouth Of A Fish soared, I began to consider fish as a topic that might generate interest. One day,after I had finished assisting the librarian by stamping and sorting books, we had an unexpected visitor. The air conditioning unit was not working and we had opened the door and windows. With nothing left to do, I began to write. I decided to write about a fishing lesson. What did I know about fishing? I had memories of my days as a camp counselor. Instead of teaching my campers, I listened attentively and gleaned information from them! But that was years ago; and sunkist trouts do not frequent the Atlantic Ocean that laps the shores of the Bahamas for they live in lakes. Besides providing current and relevant information, I realized that I needed to have fresh experiences with the topic.

Fortunately, the visitor had a sound knowledge of fishing; and I engaged him in a conversation. A few days earlier I had dreamt about meeting an individual worth five hundred million dollars who was interested in boats. In my dream, I was curious about knots associated with the fishing industry. Besides having a life raft, life saver or other safety equipment on board a boat, i realized that in an emergency - heart attack of the captain or even an accident, someone on board needed to know how to beach the boat or tie it up securely in a marina. This topic of safety on the ocean or while boating generated several possible lessons on the relevant topic of fishing . An expert in the field, the visitor provided the information during a casual conversation! The dream about my encounter with a boater worth five hundred million dollars or more had generated a hub too. As the visitor talked, I tried to analyze the dream. Later, I revealed that I had been writing about a fishing lesson and showed my notes, which provoked us all to smile. Was it coincidental? We received an invitation to go boating with the visitor and his family.

The visitor, whose natal spring,childhood days and present adult life revolve around Crooked Island, mentioned the culvert and the fact that about fifty two different species of bird socialize there.While I could not confirm it, I agree that the culvert is the place for 'bird time' happy hour! I have photographed an interesting bird, which looked like a juvenile or 'teenager' in his species. At first glance, I thought it was a flamingo because the top part of the body was pink. However, the lower portion of the body appeared blue! During another visit to the culvert area a different bird had camouflaged itself successfully in the coppice near the culvert. Since I knew where it had landed and aimed my camera - set to telephoto lens - on the spot, I can locate the bird in the photos. Down at the culvert has yielded some stimulating close ups of birds. Now that I own a Bushnell binocular camera with a built in memory , photography has zoomed to a higher level in my life, even if the camera has its limitations. Why the culvert magnetizes me remains a mystery. Maybe when my hubs and other writing yield an income i will purchase a better binocular camera.

After the library closed, a friend asked for my assistance in locating her brother who had been injured recently. The injury required sutures; and I understood the concern of this sibling. Since he was not at home, we decided to check the dock by the marina. As  he is a fisherman, sometimes he socializes with his friends. He was not in that social location. In order to turn around, I drove past the culvert. Nothing prepared me for that experience! Although I have prepared a video on the culvert , it needs editing. Of course, editing demands knowledge; and the learning curve to acquire it consumes time. Sometimes my aged computer ruins everything by 'not responding' when the project is on the brink of completion! While such a situation does not mean failure, it creates serious delays.

When we passed the culvert the first time, it was teeming with fishes. The fishes were in schools. Some swam close to the surface while others hugged the bottom. We chose to observe the 'social gathering' more closely and left the car parked. Culverts have everything - sharks, barracudas,snappers, jacks, pilchards,shards. All I wanted was a net or a fishing rod and bait! Crabs - big and miniature - walked freely and abundantly in the area. All we needed was bait- which presented one of two choices. Either the fishes would refuse or eat it ; and since at the end is a hook, I would win. How easy it is to be caught when bait is provided for a large group! To add to our excitement yet distress, fish were jumping out of the culvert and landing among the rocks. It looked as if it was easy to pick them up. But we were not prepared. Where would we keep them? Besides, fish are slippery; and it would be foolish to slip into the swift current of the culvert just to catch a small fish. There were bigger fish nearby! After watching the drama for a while and calculating the futility resulting from our unpreparedness, we left the area.

Were there prepared fishermen? In a community that depends on fishing- sport fishing mostly for bone fish and tarpons as well as for fish as food, I wondered who had noticed the abundance in the culvert. The next morning I discovered the simple answer.

To Be Continued