[dovate.com] » birds
A little over a month ago I woke up early and set out for a pre-work bike ride. Since I work at a non-profit, showing up to work straight after an 11-mile ride is perfectly acceptable.
Also, morning rides on the Kelly/MLK Drive loop are also a hell of a lot more pleasant than afternoon ones. Without rollerbladers, dogs, children on scooters, people randomly wandering in front of you, walkers who take up the entire path, oblivious crew brats and all the other people that make me hate people, an early morning ride is actually nice and relaxing.
But a month ago, my ride was cut short by a glint of silver down in the Schuylkill. As I crossed over the MLK Drive bridge just west of the Waterworks, I noticed this flash of light. When I got to the far end of the bridge I was shocked to see that it was a Loon eating a fish. The fish, reflecting the light of the sun was what caught my attention. I had to cancel my ride and get home to pick up my camera.
Why?
Loons are some of my favorite birds. I’d also never seen one anywhere near Philadelphia. You think it just looks like a duck with a cockroaches body? Well listen to the sound they make:
Loon 1
The loon couldn’t choke down the fish… but it tried for as long as I watched it. Some fishermen told me that they come through every year. If you’re looking to catch them on the Schuylkill leg of their migration, just head down to the Art Museum about a month ago and keep your eye out. Until then, here are some photos:
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