Proud Papa

On Wednesday afternoon, between rain showers, the birds would come in droves to the bird feeders... I sat inside and took about 65 pictures... Usually I get about 10 that are good --but yesterday, almost all of them turned out good... SO--I will have lots of bird photos to publish in future posts.

Today I am featuring a very proud Daddy Cardinal and his two babies --who are learning to feed themselves. Above is the Proud Papa. He looks like alot of parents of babies.. I'm sure he is TIRED... And he is molting --so his red color is changing. Below are more pictures of the family.

Daddy Cardinal says to one of the babies: "Follow me, Honey!" (The babies are both as large as their Daddy. That's typical of many baby birds.)

"Aren't I just gorgeous???? BUT--what do I do now that I'm here?" (NOTE: Baby Cardinals don't have red beaks --like Mom and Dad do.)

Oops..... A loud Blue Jay flew down and 'spooked' Baby Cardinal....

Poor Daddy Cardinal is molting.... And have you noticed that he looks like he was wet from the rain--and that the babies are dry??? That is one good Daddy---keeping his babies dry when it rains...

NOW--look at Baby Cardinal.. When he wants Daddy to feed him, he cocks his head... See him???? Is that not sweet?

I got several good shots of Daddy feeding the babies... This one tickled me since it looks like Daddy is putting his beak WAY down into Baby's throat!!!!

This is the only 'almost' clear picture I got of both Baby Cardinals together. I love this picture since you can tell the differences in the two babies. The one on the left is a male. See the reddish color on his head.... The one on the right is a female. I love looking at the differences.

Hope you enjoyed seeing the Cardinal family. Mama Cardinal is never anywhere to be found when the babies are learning to eat. Teaching them to feed themselves is Daddy's job --and this Daddy is doing a good job, don't you think????

Have a wonderful weekend. I'll blog again on Monday!!!

Hugs,

James River Canal Lock Trail

While we were traveling on the Blue Ridge Parkway on August 6, we stopped at Milepost 63.6 to visit the James River Canal Lock Trail. The trail began at the visitor center and crossed the James River on a walkway built beneath the bridge.

The restored Battery Creek Lock, located a short distance from the bridge, is typical of those constructed in the 1800's as part of the James River and Kanawha Canal. This canal, with 90 locks, helped make a river a major transportation corridor between Richmond and Buchanan, VA, before the Civil War. Exhibits at the Battery Creek site explain how locks were used to raise and lower boats to adjust for the changing elevation of the river.

During the mid to late 1800's, the expansion of railroads made river and canal travel inefficient, and the Kanawh Canal was abandoned. However, before the railroad's arrival, the river and canal system was crucial in moving people, food, and raw materials from the coast, through Richmond and into the interior of Virginia.

This is the lowest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway (649 feet), plus is where the road intersects with US 501, which runs west along the James River for 15 miles to Natural Bridge. We enjoyed our visit to the James River Canal Lock Trail.

Here are some pictures for our little hike. Above is a map --telling about the area. Below are more!

We enjoyed walking on the footbridge across the river, which is the largest river in VA. This picture was taken from the bridge, looking west.

From the other side of the footbridge, we took this picture --looking toward the east.

Translation (since the sign is in bad shape): Battery Creek Lock (1851-1880); This lift lock, built in 1848, is 15 feet wide, 21 feet deep top to bottom, and 100 feet between gates. It lowered or lifted boats 13 feet allowing them passage to and from the river. The bottom is covered with original pine planking and walls are of local stone.

Here are a couple of pictures for you to see of the locks.

If you are ever on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, be sure and stop at Milepost 63.6 and visit the James River Canal Lock Trail. It was very interesting.

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We had a very rainy day here on the Cumberland Plateau yesterday.. I think we have had about TWO inches total (or a little more). As you can imagine, George and I are THRILLED (since it has been so dry here this summer).

Between rain storms, the birds would flock to the feeders. Some of them looked pretty dry, so I guess they had safe places to go in the rain. Others looked pretty soaked.... I will publish more bird pictures in another post, but will close today showing you one of our pitiful little very WET birdies!!!!!

Do you even recognize this bird?????? It's one of our little Juvenile Eastern Bluebirds. Poor Baby... I wanted to scoop him up and bring him inside and dry him off...

Hope you have a great Thursday.

Hugs,

P.S. IF you missed my post yesterday, PLEASE check it out... You must see my latest "pet" (Mr. Magoo)....