White Deer Twins on the Riverwalk

White Deer Twins on the Riverwalk
These rare white deer twins were born this summer and have found a safe home at Dan Daniel Park and on the Riverwalk
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My name is David Hoffman. I teach English and journalism at Averett University, but I have two side interests - writing and photography. I also enjoy walking daily with my English setter, Sadie, and my wife, Elizabeth, on the Danville, Virginia, Riverwalk. As a novice to studying nature, I am fascinated by the slightest facets of the great outdoors, but most of my pictures are of birds - I don't know a lot about them, but I am learning more and enjoying taking pictures of them daily. I also take pictures of plants, other animals, and insects. All pictures posted for each day were taken on the day of my blog entry.

Leave a comment if you have the time or e-mail me at dhoffman@averett.edu


CHECK OUT TIFFANY AND PATRIK'S WEDDING PICTURES (click picture below)

Friday, May 7, 2010

OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS


(May 6, 2010) This morning, amongst the aroma of honey suckle permeating the cool air along the Riverwalk, there seemed to be birds everywhere, which made Sadie, a born and bred bird dog, very alert. In the dark woods near Dan Daniel Park, the robins were singing and bouncing about. One was seen on a fallen tree pulling a worm apart (I guess there is some truth in the cliche that "the early bird gets the worm").

As we approached the part of the trail that goes down to the river across from the Brantley Steam Plant, a half dozen cormorants were swimming near the dam, lying low to the water like submarines with long necks. They flew off and Sadie's inner instinct to chase them was aroused. But, a dog on a leash can't get but so far.

As we crossed the bridge near the public works department, we looked over into the creek, and Elizabeth spotted some movement in the shadows of the trees. On a dark rock sat a female mallard and her four ducklings. She could hardly be seen, and the ducklings were almost invisible. (Note: To see how hidden they were, go to this site:
http://www.riverwalkpics.com/Blog-Link-1.html ). On the way back the mother and ducklings (4) were in the river swimming about.

At the picnic table near the train trellis we saw two male mallards in a breeding or territory dispute. One was chasing the other and finally the one being chased flew off. Aww . . . the daily conflicts that go on on the Riverwalk, In the dark woods near Dan Daniel Park, we saw a male tree swallow on top of the bluebird house. This made for a very tranquil ending to our daily walk.

It was another good day on the Riverwalk - in fact so good that this evening I took Sadie to Angler's Park for another 30-45 minutes of walking and watching the birds (red-winged blackbirds, mallards, Canada geese, and killdeer). As we left, a great blue heron flew overhead and into the marsh for the evening - it was 8:15, and the bird was settling in for the night. This was a second tranquil ending to our walk.

It was a great day on the Riverwalk.

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