Huntley Meadows is a county park near where we live. There are a couple of very well designed and maintained trails, and a three long complex boardwalks over a large pond. It has become a wildlife refuge. A wonderful reuse of the site.
The site has a history, at one time it was developed as an airship landing field, then a classified military installation, and an early automobile safety testing field. It was bought by the County and developed as a park and wetland.
There are a couple of loops to walk, about an hour's walk for either option, plus time to see the wildlife. I have seen about a dozen varieties of duck, Canada Geese, herons, ibis, several varieties of hawk, beaver, muskrats, turtles, frogs, fish and deer. And one summer a very off course roseate spoonbill.
On my most recent walk it was ducks. There are several nesting pairs of Hooded Mergansers in residence, there should be ducklings in a few short weeks. I saw canvass backs, teal, and pintail, in addition to more common mallards. The Mergansers are putting on quite a show this season.
I was not alone, the boardwalk across the back pond, had about $100,000 in super telephoto lenses set up on it. Lots of duck hunting, and everybody flew away into the afternoon sky.
Your headline had me alert and alarmed.
ReplyDeleteYou get lots of good ducks. I am envious. I doubt we have so many different species here.
A nice post about your local area.
The heading was meant to provoke.
DeleteHooded Mergansers are so beautiful aren't they? But you know they got to be thinking, they must now know how movie stars feel with all that Paparazzi around invading their privacy, LMAO!
ReplyDeletePrying eyes on their nesting boxes, some posted on FB two of them "fertilizing" eggs.
DeleteSo much beauty there... and camera equipment!
ReplyDeleteLots of very long lenses - bigger than anything I have ever had.
DeleteWhat a wonderful park! We have eagles close by and lots of photographers with big lenses taking pics. One of the photographers is an eagle expert and shares his knowledge about the eagles through the course of the year. RIght now there have been quite a few photos catching some romantic moments. Eaglets should be arriving soon!
ReplyDeleteThere is an active eagle nest at Dyke Marsh down on the Potomac, when the chicks hatch there will be lots of spectators.
DeleteQuite the attraction for birders and photographers!
ReplyDeleteAnd a good place to walk,
DeleteThat's a treasure trove of different birds to watch and photograph.
ReplyDeleteA great place to go bird watching.
DeleteI am relieved. I thought at first that the "hunters" were actually firing guns at the poor innocent ducks.
ReplyDeleteI left the 12ga home.
DeleteWhat a great place for a hike and to explore!
ReplyDeleteI should go there more often
Delete