It’s out there. Nobody “made” it, nature (or whatever deity you might subscribe to) gave it to us to enjoy. Whether or not you’re present, it’s there.
As you might remember, we decided to return to Easton again (third time this year) for a couple of days of food, peace, and tranquility before cranking up the holiday madness for real. Besides the food, we wanted to get out into the country side and enjoy landscape inhabited mostly by Canada Geese and other wild things. Tuesday after arriving we drove to the very end of Tilghman Island in the gathering twilight, and Wednesday we re-visited the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. While there is a new visitor facility under construction, you start out at the (get this) Visitor Contact Center, sort of a makeshift stop while the new center is being finished. It’s where you can check in, get folders, and if you’re lucky have a protracted conversation with “Chuck”, a volunteer who is very eager to point out things to see, the best viewing places for eagles, waterfowl, and trails you “must do”..There is also a good selection of guidebooks, pamphlets, and field and trail guides.
One of the sights you are supposed to see there is the resident White Pelican, a relatively rare bird for this area. It broke a wing somehow and so cannot fly, but is able to feed itself so the naturalists let it be. A couple of other birders (from Ohio!) who were in the shop and let us know its whereabouts when they saw it a bit earlier. So, armed with a fistful of little brochures, maps, local knowledge, and our “lifetime” pass to all Federal reserves (ten bucks, for a good cause) we started out. We soon located the White Pelican, and although a bit far for a good picture it was no doubt the bird, so it goes on my mental “life list”…
After enjoying the pelican for a few minutes we then took a walk on the 1/3 mile Marsh Edge Trail (highly recommended by Chuck) which afforded more nice views of far
And near
We saw a Hairy Woodpecker (too fast for the lens), some unidentified little birds, but there are always the stately Blue Herons willing to pose for you
Unless you get just a little toooooo close!
Our gracious hosts at the Bartlett Pear Inn (next edition) prepared a little box lunch for us to enjoy (a lovely chopped roast beef sandwich, house made chips, nice pickles, and of course a pear)
So we parked the momster
Rolled down the windows and listened to the thousands of geese talking to each other, saw a bald eagle, another unidentified raptor, and I think some Northern Shovelers. And oh yes, a very nice Riesling (don’t tell anybody).
Given the time of year (maybe) we didn’t see many other cars nor people, mostly avian friends and after lunch we navigated our way back to Easton through more gorgeous scenery
What a peaceful day. Slow down, you move too fast. It’s just nice. What more can you say. Get out and enjoy what’s there and get at least a day of inner satisfaction..
After returning to the Inn, we relaxed a while, and then had a wonderful dinner that will also stay in a special place for a long time. So next edition we’ll leave sights for the heart for food for the soul...
And needless to say we were very
DFD
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