Like I said, I went to Babcock-Webb 2 days in a row. The park is huge. You can drive for miles and miles on the gravel roads. If you had a "swamp buggy", you could go even further. I usually take the same route through the park stopping along the way at spots where it looks good for wildlife. On Day 1, I stopped along Seaboard Grade where I saw a few Egrets and Grebes. I left the car unlocked with windows down and approached the water's edge to snap a few photos.
Along with the sights, the forest is also full of sounds. Most of the sounds fade into the background when I am focused on photography but I kept hearing a Phoebe calling, calling calling - "Fee-bee, Fee-bee, Fee-bee" which is it's usual call but this bird added some extra grumbling to the end of the calls. I turned to see what was going on but couldn't find the bird. I finally found it - sitting on the car!
This bird was obsessed with the car. He sat on the roof rack. He sat on the side mirror. He sat on the windshield. He sat on the driver's door. I took video to show Connie. That was Day 1. On Day 2, the whole thing repeated! On Day 2, I was prepared to get better documentation too. Again, the bird sat on the driver's door.
Nice interior
Then, he decided to sit INSIDE the car too. He sat on the headrest.
This seat is comfy
He sat on the dashboard.
Home James!
He sat on the steering wheel.
How do you start this thing?
On Day 2, I made another video. Enjoy!
I'm still not sure whether the bird really loved the Subaru or hated it. I think he wanted to make a nest inside but who knows.
Let's be clear, March 21st is the first day of spring. Meaning the day of the vernal equinox which means that the northern hemisphere will start to have more of the sun's warmth. It doesn't mean that winter is over. In fact, we got 6 inches of heavy snow dumped on us on March 21st. Our Screech Owl suffered through it with dignity.
Screech Owl
Despite that fact, Peanut and I have seen some small signs of spring. Starting with this Eastern Phoebe that showed up at the mudhole this week. His pumping tail was a sight for sore eyes.
Phoebe
Slowly, slowly, winter may be giving up it's grip. Peanut and I felt energized and decided to take a walk at Pennypack park to see if we could find other signs of spring. Walking by the creek, I heard and saw a big splash. I looked for a Kingfisher but no bird was in sight. I looked for a tree branch but none surfaced. I looked for kids throwing rocks but Peanut and I were the only ones on the trail. Then, I saw something swimming along. I couldn't believe it - a Beaver!
Beaver
The splash that I saw was the Beaver slapping his tail on the surface just before diving under. He did it again and next thing I knew, he was swimming about 3 feet in front of me.
Beaver
And then . . .
Splash, he was gone again. Peanut and I left him alone to explore our Pennypack creek. I hope he makes our creek his home.
