A Few Cuties For You

Not much birding going on around here lately but I was able to get out to Pennypack Park a few times. Here a a couple of photos that should make you smile.

This guy reminded Connie and I of an incident that happened about 20 years ago when we came across a raccoon on the trail. This was so long ago that Daisy, our first dog was with us. The raccoon was acting funny so we hustled down the trail. On our way back, we saw the raccoon and he saw us. In fact, he started running toward us making noise. Yes, he was rabid and he was heading right for us. We grabbed Daisy's leash and ran as fast as we could. He ran too. We left the trail and ran up the hill. He left the trail too and tried to cut us off. We made it back to the car huffing and puffing. It was really scary and sad at the same time.

20 years later and with a different dog, Connie and I cam across this raccoon almost at the same place where we found the rabid raccon.  This guy was peering out of a hollow tree. He is pretty cute and didn't try to come after us. Look at his little paw/hand.

Raccoon

Some of the Wood Ducks at Pennypack hang around in winter. I think they survive by begging bread handouts with their Mallard friends. That makes these ducks so easy to photograph since they are the only Wood Ducks that I know of that swim TOWARD people on the bank of a creek.  These are handsome ducks for sure.

Wood Duck

I mean really. Look at the colors and patterns on this guy.

Wood Duck

Looks like we have some decent weather on tap for this weekend. Hopefully, we can get some power birding in.

Non Bird Post

While running around looking for birds this week, I have seen alot of other animals so I thought I would share some photos.  You already saw the Harbor Seal from the beach. Here are some others. Let's start with cute and work our way toward the you-might-not-wanna-look. This cute Raccoon stuck his head out of the tree as a few of us were looking at Great-horned Owl babies in a nest above.  What a surprise.

Raccoon

Here is a Red Bat that I happened upon at John Heinz Refuge. I just happened to see a Robin fly out of a little Oak tree and noticed something still swinging.  This bat is hanging just 2 feet above the ground. Red Bats migrate south in winter, so I guess this guy is heading back north.  Cute little fellow.

Red Bat

 Here is a Snapping Turtle looking for love at Heinz. This is just one of about 2 dozen Snapping Turtles that I saw in the park either in the water or crossing the path.  I guess it's that time of year where even the ugly creatures find a mate.

Snapping Turtle

Snakes, I never saw so many Garter Snakes as over the past few days. Patty and I walked up on 2 snakes fighting over the same tasty frog. Here they are playing tug of war. Poor frog.

2 Garter Snakes

One of the snakes finally let go and the victor finished off the frog. Here is a close up of the gory meal.

Garter Snake with Frog

One final photo for the post today. Yes, it's a bird. In fact, it's 2 birds - one eating the other.  The predator is a Peregrine Falcon and the prey is a poor Northern Flicker. This scene was captured at Pennypack Trust. The Peregrine flew over my head carrying the hapless woodpecker and perched across the creek to eat.  The photo isn't great due to the distance and lighting but it is good enough to see that the falcon is banded.

Peregrine Falcon with Flicker

Well, there you have it. Next post is back to birds.