The weather has broken, so I was able to get in a full day without risking heat stroke. After consulting with the AA Bird Club and my friend, Graeme Simpson, I settled on Calvert Cliffs State Park, about an hour South of Annapolis.
From the web site:
Calvert Cliffs State Park
Calvert Cliffs State Park is a day-use park featuring a sandy beach, unique fossils, recycled tire playground, a freshwater and tidal marshland and 13 miles of hiking trails located in Calvert County. The massive cliffs from which Calvert Cliffs SP was named dominates the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay for thirty miles in Calvert County and were formed over 15 million years ago when all of Southern Maryland was covered by a warm, shallow sea. When the sea receded 20-25 million years ago, marking the end of the Miocene period, cliffs were exposed and began eroding. Today these cliffs reveal the remains of prehistoric species Including sharks, whales, rays, and seabirds that were the size of small airplanes.”
We took the Red Trail, which is about two miles long, and descends to the water (Chesapeake Bay) after meandering through a mixtue of deciduous forest and marshland. It was warm and very humid, but bearable.
We saw several of these frogs by the side of the trail. Their camouflage is so perfect that I had trouble seeing them even after Graeme pointed them out.
Possibly the world’s tamest squirrel. He continued eating without a qualm even as we talked and took flash photos.
There were hundreds of these beautiful lilies in the marsh.
There were two of these Red Headed Woodpeckers flying from tree to tree in the marsh. It’s the first one I’ve ever seen.
There were several Ospreys flying overhead as we walked through the marsh.
I’m working on an ID for this Robin sized bird. Update:It’s a Red Winged female, and the yellow is not unknown in females.
Several Great Blue Herons took off as we passed through the marsh.
There were Dragonflys everywhere we went.
Can you see the Lizard?
This Red Bellied Woodpecker appeared just as we were getting into our cars to leave.
Graeme saw this Black Snake as we walked the trail, and we had time to get some photos as he slithered slowly back into the woods.
Mother Nature is amazing and I thank you for bringing her to me.
Thanks for sharing your day – and the beautiful photos. The red-headed woodpecker is amazing. So red and as you say, so white!
Eastern Fence Lizard or Fence Swift if you’re interested in its identity
I’m always interested in the ID of anything I post. Someone else called it a “5 Lined Skink.”
Great pics as always Hugh, thank you for sharing them.
Eastern Pondhawk male and female