Being that Valentines Day was the first day above freezing this year, we went for a casual family walk along the wooded trails of Baker's Farm, up the street from the house. The trail starts out along cranberry bogs and continues along the banks of a couple of swamps. Perfect conditions for birding.

The Nuthatches seemed to be the most prevelant, today. Every time I looked up one was scooting around a trunk, upside-down of course.

The parents of the group are always happy just to walk casually while watching and listening for wildlife. The family dog and eldest daughter are more interested in running around like maniacs, jumping over logs and climbing rocks. The baby was just excited to be outside and was cooing away in the pack, on my back. I finally gave in to the fact that we weren't going to see much wildlife with all the noise, so I joined forces with the maniacs.



As a kid, one of my favorite stories was "My Side of the Mountain". We found a hollowed out tree that reminded me of what the boy in the story lived out of. It was too small for me to get in and Brenna wouldn't go past the entrance because, "it stunk". But, Oliver was anxious to check it out. Based on his reaction, I'm guessing that somethings been living in there. Based on the smell, I'd say it was a fox.



After a while, we wandered off the trail to see what we might find in less visited sections of the woods. We didn't get far before we found rock formations. Well, anyone who knows Brenna knows that she can't pass a rock formation without giving it a climb. We've recently taken to calling her "Adventure Girl" (after she's repeatedly fallen into the stream near the house)



Lisa, Molly, and I rested on an old rock wall as Brenna and Oliver explored. Against the wall was a dead tree that caught my eye. Something about it intrigued me. If trees have spirits, then this one definately did. Unfortunately, the picture doesn't do it justice.



I was in my own world, when a call came out from the exploration party. They had found a deep crevice in the rocks and wanted us to check it out. Well, so much for resting.



Right after this picture, she lost her hat down said crevice. "Don't worry, Dad. I can get it with a stick." And she did.

Since I was up and walking anyway, I did some exploring of my own. I've learned that if I focus my attention on a small area, I am more apt to find signs of wildlife than if I walk through an entire woods. And so it was this day. I nearly stepped in, what I believe was, deer scat.



... and a woodpecker hole was right over where I had previously been sitting.



I also found a long runner of Wintergreen. I figure it had to be at least 3 feet long, but with only one berry.



Of course, we had to rush back to make the birthday party of one of Brenna's friends (what seems to be a bi-weekly event for us), so we had to cut it short. But, it was good to get out. On the way back I saw a quick glimpse of a large owl gliding away through the pines (Oliver must have startled it from it's siesta). We also watched a Great Blue Heron fishing at the edge of one of the swamps.

They say the temperature is going to plummet back down, tonight.



I couldn't resist showing the handsome boy sportin' his homemade valentines day present.

[This message was edited by Admin on Sat February 14 2004 at 08:22 PM.]