Images from Muskrat Land

I've seen muskrats before, heck, I've seen more than a few this spring, but last weekend was my first chance to get some good pictures. I saw four or five different muskrats, most content on munching on the water plants and most I was able to walk right up on. But with this one it was like getting your camera out at a party... everyone hides.

Masonic Temple and Home Furnishings (PG 110)

This Painted Gentleman is located at 346 South Main Street in Butler, PA. Butler is straight up Route 8, 40 miles north of Pittsburgh. I don't know much about either the Masonic Temple or C. R. Kriner Co. and all they had to supply. My guess is that it once was a home furnishing store and the Masons re-faced the building at some point.

The Frog

In all my walks along the spring or around the pond I've heard tons of frogs but have not once seen one. I changed things up two weekends ago and went for a walk in the mountain and 100 feet from the truck I almost stepped on this guy. Of course when he jumped he almost pissed on me, so we're even. The hardest part of getting this picture is hoping the camera focuses on the frog and not the grass. I got a couple good ones.

Pleasant View Fire Company No. 16, Harrisburg

This is a re-post, I know, but I'm gonna do it to finish up my volunteers in Harrisburg series. This is the Pleasant View Fire Company No. 16. First organized in 1910 this area was actually in Susquehanna Township. The first station was in a warehouse on 20th Street between State and North Streets. In 1916 the company bough t this ground at 2014 State Street. In 1920 the area of Pleasant View was finally annexed into the city. This new station wasn't built until 1928 after someone lost control of their car and crashed into the old station. In 1970 Engine 16 was moved to the Shamrock's station and the city's Squad 1 moved into the old Pleasant View station.

Gray Catbird

This here is the Gray Catbird. It got it's name from the growl that it make. It sounds like a... cat. I see a lot of them and they seem to not be afraid. Check out picture number 3, it looks like he caught a bug.

Northern Oriole

OK, my book calls it a Northern Oriole but I've read recently that the Baltimore Oriole and the Bullock's Oriole have been deemed two different birds. So, maybe my title should read Baltimore Oriole. Anyways... this guy caught me by surprise last weekend but he is a masters of eluding. Yesterday, same tree, but he stayed on his side. Best I could do was a blurry shot across the pond. Later in the afternoon I saw another in a completely different place. That makes 7 I've seen this spring. I feel confident that I'll see a whole bunch more later next week...

Mountain Laurel

Last weekend on a drive into the South Mountain I found that the Mountain Laurel was in bloom. Varying in color form white to pink there were patches of it everywhere. You to should relax and take a drive through the mountains at this time of year. You don't have to worry about the weather or getting stuck in the snow and ice. It might be a little dusty but I'd bet your truck needs washed anyway.