twobikes + an Airstream: A Criminal Element in GSMNP

THE REGULATIONS ARE VERY CLEAR

I am just a little hesitant to admit this (let alone PUBLISH incriminating photos).

Perhaps if you could read this passage first ...aloud.... hand over your heart please...

I am not now nor ever have been a member of law enforcement, nor do I represent any federal or state wildlife agency or carry an Audubon card, nor am I in the habit of reporting violations of any current regulations (excepting damage to my personal vehicle) to lawful authority...

Truth be told, I have recently discovered that my faithful friend and companion these fifty married years (and quite a spell before), the mother of our fine, morally upright children IS A SCOFFLAW , a violator of federal regulations and totally, gleefully UNREPENTANT.

It began innocently enough, lounging beside the Airstream in beautiful Cades Cove Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Bare toes, wrinkled from long confinement in wading boots, were drying in the sun. Suddenly, a pair of unusually raucous Tufted Titmice announced their arrival and swooped for the exposed digits. They perched, cocked their heads side to side and, singly and in tandem, bespoke their displeasure. At first, Patty shrunk back and tucked the tortured toes away.
They're hungry, piped up our visiting neighbor. We've been feeding them sunflower seeds right out of our hands.

Now it was Patty who was unusually animated. Touch a bird? I've never touched a live bird!!
Out came the jar of birdseed we have carried since Florida (where human/wildlife interactions are less vigilantly scrutinized). These birds were quite confident and landed to hand. They were selecting only black sunflower seeds and Patty was sorting and replacing seeds while carrying on a dialogue....

The birds tired before Patty did, just a little after it was clear all the black seeds were gone. It would be stating the obvious to report she was excited. This is, you will remember, the same person who spent six hours of our eight hours at Sea World hanging over a stone wall trying to touch a Dolphin.