On Thursday the 28th we made the slightly long drive to Virginia Beach to do some birding at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
It was breezy, but quite warm today and since it was beach and wetlands there really wasn't much shade and I had "overdressed" and felt like I could spontaneously combust most of the day.
It was a nice area, but this time of year the ducks and other water birds aren't here yet so we really didn't see a lot. The other weird thing was that no vehicles were allowed on the trail, but the rangers drove by constantly and FAST which stirred us tons of dust each time they went by. Other than that, it was a pleasant setting. For the second time in a week we encountered a "bad" snake. We had the Copperhead a few days ago and today it was a Water Moccasin (aka Cottonmouth). Yikes! This time Greg saw it first. It was right next to the boardwalk and unlike the Copperhead that came and checked us out and left, this guy was in his pose to strike. He eventually turned and left.
Visitor's Center
The beach! We have missed the beach.....
cute tiny crab
pathway to the beach
large crab
he thinks he's hiding
Water Moccasin (aka Cottonmouth)
he was long and meaty
Phew! He turned and left....
lots of turtles
House Finch
bird hide
Cape May Warbler
Brown Thrasher
lots of wildflowers
there were lots of decorative dolphins in different areas
cute real estate building
lunch!
Shrimp Platter
Fried Oyster Platter
after lunch we went out and hiked some more of the trails & boardwalks
Great Blue Heron in the wind
Charles Kuralt Trail
Great Egret
American Bittern
Eastern Wood-pewee
We stopped for ice cream on the drive home since we spotted a Bruster's on the drive there.
Tomorrow, we are off to hike in the Great Dismal Swamp. Now doesn't THAT sound fun?
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