People Watching – Not What You Think!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a bird in a cage or a fish in an aquarium? You know – people stopping by to stare at you all day long. Please excuse the photo quality of these pictures. Taking pictures through the window doesn’t produce the best quality photos.

Well, we’re camped at a forest service campground with narrow campsites. Our trailer just fits up against the trees and bushes. The windows on our trailer have a metallic coating designed to reflect the sun and heat. From the outside they look like mirrors.

We had been here for 2 days with no problem from the local wildlife. All of a sudden this morning a cardinal couple  have taken up a real attraction to our trailer! Yes, I know it’s spring time and with that brings breeding season. While I’ve enjoyed this morning being stared at in close quarters by this couple, I’m also concerned about the female. Since she has spent the last 4 hours fighting that image in the window, she’s not eating or finding a nesting spot. Or maybe she’s already found that nesting spot and is just trying to get rid of that competing female!

It’s interesting how the male has done very little fighting to his competitor. Isn’t the male supposed to be the one who protects the nest?

In the process of staring at me and fighting at the unwanted bird couple, other birds have been attracted to the windows also. Joining in the look have been a catbird and a yellow rumped warbler. This really has provided me better looks than any bird feeder has.

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

The female has tired herself out this morning. She fights for several minutes and then sits and stares and breathes heavily. I thought she’d wear herself out but thankfully some pouring down rain has stopped her for the moment. Since we’ll be here for 4 more days, I hope she’ll either find another nesting spot or leave the bird in the window alone.