February Thaw

I hope you all have been getting out and enjoying this beautiful February weather we have been having! Last weekend, I took advantage of it. Mom and I strapped on some snowshoes and hit the trails of George Wyth State Park. The park was very busy with people and wildlife.

My mom's favorite bird is the cardinal and who doesn't like to sit and watch birds. Today was a PREFECT day to just sit and watch these beautiful birds are work. If you have not visited the bird feeders or the bird blind there, you have got to be sure to visit. (It is located on the trail, behind the lodge.)

The female cardinals usually sat back and watched.

A very bright male would not share his feeder with another cardinal but a few lucky nuthatch were alright.

Ummmm, this is good!

And since the males could not share very well, they would try to take turns. Where they would perch on a near by tree and when they thought it was their turn they would chase the other away.

A birds eye view!

A female and male cardinal soaking up the rays.

A meeting of the male minds.

"What is the crazy squirrel over there doing?"

After setting there for awhile, mom and I noticed all of the different shades of red the male cardinals wore. We were wondering if this had to do with the birds age, or dominance? Any thoughts?

We also saw an abundance of Black-Capped Chickadees and Nuthatch.

And he is off! Check out how fast those winds are moving!

Now he is back, standing on the roof! I think he was just showing off, he knew we were watching!

And we may have had a special guest, but I can't really tell. I think we might have seen about 6 Robins, but they were flying different than Robbins usually do. Take a look, what do you think?

We also went and checked out the lake. We discovered that the ice was quickly melting! When we were approaching the ice, we could smell the lake. This is why:

Mom was very surprised by the large amount of dead fish. I explained to her that this was normal every spring. At this particular lake, many carp were not making it through another season. Just the way life goes, out in the wild.

Spring is coming! It will be here before we know it! Be sure to get out and see all the things happening in your own back yard!