CHESAPEAKE BAY BIRDS

Friday, July 9, 2010

CHESAPEAKE BAY BIRDS

(JULY 10, 2010) Having returned from a wedding (my daughter, Tiffany's) in Pennsylvania, a time for Elizabeth to remember as we returned to her hometown in northern Virginia, a time for me to remember as we went by the cemetery where my parents are buried in Maryland and then by their home on Cobb Island, Md., and finally to the "Northern Neck" of Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay, I realized that I had bought back over 2500 photos taken along the way. Therefore, during the past two days on the Riverwalk, I have not taken my camera so I can catch up on the numerous pictures taken during the weekend and the first part of this week.

However, I did walk with Sadie yesterday morning and this morning. We had been missed by the regular walkers. Our short walk was lengthened by several stopping and wanting to hear about the wedding. One group of women and a man asked how it felt to have a new son-in-law.

I said, "Well, actually, I have another son-in-law in Chicago. So I have a son-in-law who was raised in Venezuela and is now an American citizen and another son-in-law from Sweden. The only single 'daughter' I have now is Sadie, so I reckon she will marry a German Shepherd." They chuckled and walked on.

The weather was humid this morning after last night's short rain, but the temperatures were bearable at 6:30 this morning. However, as we finished our walk at around 8:00, the temperatures were beginning to rise again.

Even the birds seemed to feel the heat as they were few and quiet.

Hence, my pictures of the bay birds above. The pelicans were interesting to watch as they just crashed into the water as their way of landing. The osprey, on its nest, was interesting to watch and the closest I have been to one nesting. There are two osprey nests that can be viewed on the Riverwalk, but the distance and height make it nearly impossible to see them up close. The sandpiper, with its bright orange bill, was playing in a marshy area on Tangier Island. I did see an egret and some cormorants, so I felt that I was home.

Interesting birds, and it is sometimes good to get away from the birds on the Riverwalk; but it is always good to get back, too.

It was another good morning on the Riverwalk.

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"DON'T TRADE YOUR DOG FOR AN ELEPHANT"

(JUNE 19, 2010) This morning we saw some lovely sights as we ventured to the Riverwalk at 6:15. The mother mallard and the six babies were out at Dan Daniel Park and the flora and fauna were plentiful. But, one comment made by a regular Riverwalk biker/walker stayed on my mind as we ventured forth. He said, "One bit of advice: Don't trade your dog for an elephant." What was the meaning of that? I pondered that question throughout my walk until I saw a water moccasin swimming close to the shore.

EXPRESSIONS

(JUNE 1, 2010) Often we see expressions in animals that are similar to humans. Sadie sometimes swallows a moth she has been stalking, and the look on her face says, "Sheesh. That didn't taste very good." The picture above shows some interesting expressions on the faces of a goose family. There is the gosling looking up at the adult with respect,, the other goslings looking over the adult goose with an inquiring look, and the adult in the background showing stress. Within this one photograph is captured many emotions.

SHALL WE GATHER

(MAY 25, 2010) People gather each morning to walk or ride bikes together on the Riverwalk. In addition, there are many "gatherings" on the river each morning among the wildlife there. The waterfowl gather to communially dip in the river or fly off together to graze in the rich meadows or just sit on a log in the middle of the river - watching. There is another type of "gathering" that goes on as well. Look closely and watch the swallow and the bluebird and the robin and other songbirds gather nesting for their homes or food for themselves and their off-spring. Look closely and see the insects gathering whatever they need for sustenance - the small bug drinking from the rain water "gathering" on the leaf or the bee gathering nectar from the budding flower. All of this is the age old activity of gathering by the river.

THINGS ARE DIFFERENT

(APRIL 14, 15, 2010) There have been many changes on the Riverwalk over the past two days. The search for the young 5 year old who fell out of the boat near Dan Daniel Dam, the small flowers that were once there are now gone because of the cooler weather, and the river has gone down because of the drier weather. However, amongst these changes there are some constants: the same people we see every morning on our walk are there, the river continues to provide a home for wildlife, and robins can be spotted along the trail.