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THE PRANCING COLT
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The next day (Fri) we needed to take more than an hour to get to the north section of the NWR on Assateague. As the road does not run through the salt marshes, we headed inland to US 13, then north on VA 113t on 395 and two more roads (all good) to reach the Visitor Center at Assateague. There are three units there, first the state park (State of Maryland) that is adjacent to the beach, then the Assateague Island National Seashore (National Park Service) and the third is Chincoteague N W Refuge (US Fish and Wildlife Service) (actually on Assateague Island). You have that all straight by now! The Visitors Center was awaiting some fog delayed students for some educational programs when we stopped. There are only two miles of accessible roads, but if you have an ORV (Off Road Vehicle) permit, you can use the beaches at certain times and in certain places. Here again we explored all the roads and a few trails. We saw some Little Blue Herons, Another Towhee, and a good look at the Great Crested Flycatcher once more. More than 45 birds so it was a good day. IN the morning I did see the Rose Breasted Grosbeaks on my walk around. Oh, yes we saw a flock of Orchard Orioles on lunch break. He says “ Queeto”, “Queeto”, and “Queeto” and is beautiful in yellow, and rufous colors. Ruth did get some more horses and a young colt hat was prancing in one of the turn arounds..
We departed about 3:00 , stopped at another state park briefly, called Pokemoke. IT was quiet as the heat of the inland air was now up to 80 degrees F. By the time we stopped for a few groceries and returned to camp near the Ocean it had dropped to 72 F. Very comfortable, and the sun was still shining. . Rain threatens again this evening but the Minotaur shot has been moved up to 7:35 so we may get to watch it.
Day s 18 and 19 Chincoteague and Assateague
It is really confusing to sort out the geography here, as the NWR is actually on the Island of Assateague, but as it is so long it parallels Chincoteague and is accessible from the latter. The horses are on Assateague, both in the VA section (south end) and the Maryland section (more northerly). We visited both of them during these two days. For this blog I will descr9ibe them as “South section” and “North section “.
We proceeded to the South section on Thursday and after stopping at the visitor center and getting maps and info (and a T shirt) we started to make the rounds and locate birds and of course those famous ponies and horses. We did just both. Birds were decent especially the shore birds and many flocks of Indigo Buntings that were on the migration trail, as well as Blue Grosbeaks. Both stand out in their blue colors (males) and the females (browns) with them. The entry to both of these sections is accessed by a long 3-5 mile long) causeway which skirts over the rivers, sloughs and salt marshes.
Once on the Island it looks like any sand dune with lots of pines and shrubs along the way. Again there were lots of Dunlins, white rumped sandpipers, yellow legs, two kinds of lovers, and a few yellow warblers and yellow rumped warblers. We did not see any Osprey on the Islands. The day (#18) was overcast and threatened rain in the evening (it did).
After birding and getting our pictures we headed for the Creamery to download e mail and get some ice cream. Home made right there and they are open 365 days a year from 8: Am until 10:00 Pm. That works for me.
Then we did want to try the seafood here so went to Don’s Seafood and Restaurant where we tried the fare. Ruth had a plate of scallops and a side potato and salad, while I tried the Dream Combo with shrimp, scallops, and crab meat. This was under melted cheese in a two small cups. Excellent.
Then we tried to catch the liftoff of the Minotaur Rocket from the marina here looking across to Wallops Island (NASA). It was delayed and then postponed until tomorrow. It was a good thing we came home as a storm came up suddenly and soaked everything off and on for the rest of the night.
It is really confusing to sort out the geography here, as the NWR is actually on the Island of Assateague, but as it is so long it parallels Chincoteague and is accessible from the latter. The horses are on Assateague, both in the VA section (south end) and the Maryland section (more northerly). We visited both of them during these two days. For this blog I will descr9ibe them as “South section” and “North section “.
We proceeded to the South section on Thursday and after stopping at the visitor center and getting maps and info (and a T shirt) we started to make the rounds and locate birds and of course those famous ponies and horses. We did just both. Birds were decent especially the shore birds and many flocks of Indigo Buntings that were on the migration trail, as well as Blue Grosbeaks. Both stand out in their blue colors (males) and the females (browns) with them. The entry to both of these sections is accessed by a long 3-5 mile long) causeway which skirts over the rivers, sloughs and salt marshes.
Once on the Island it looks like any sand dune with lots of pines and shrubs along the way. Again there were lots of Dunlins, white rumped sandpipers, yellow legs, two kinds of lovers, and a few yellow warblers and yellow rumped warblers. We did not see any Osprey on the Islands. The day (#18) was overcast and threatened rain in the evening (it did).
After birding and getting our pictures we headed for the Creamery to download e mail and get some ice cream. Home made right there and they are open 365 days a year from 8: Am until 10:00 Pm. That works for me.
Then we did want to try the seafood here so went to Don’s Seafood and Restaurant where we tried the fare. Ruth had a plate of scallops and a side potato and salad, while I tried the Dream Combo with shrimp, scallops, and crab meat. This was under melted cheese in a two small cups. Excellent.
Then we tried to catch the liftoff of the Minotaur Rocket from the marina here looking across to Wallops Island (NASA). It was delayed and then postponed until tomorrow. It was a good thing we came home as a storm came up suddenly and soaked everything off and on for the rest of the night.
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THE STORM
The next day (Fri) we needed to take more than an hour to get to the north section of the NWR on Assateague. As the road does not run through the salt marshes, we headed inland to US 13, then north on VA 113t on 395 and two more roads (all good) to reach the Visitor Center at Assateague. There are three units there, first the state park (State of Maryland) that is adjacent to the beach, then the Assateague Island National Seashore (National Park Service) and the third is Chincoteague N W Refuge (US Fish and Wildlife Service) (actually on Assateague Island). You have that all straight by now! The Visitors Center was awaiting some fog delayed students for some educational programs when we stopped. There are only two miles of accessible roads, but if you have an ORV (Off Road Vehicle) permit, you can use the beaches at certain times and in certain places. Here again we explored all the roads and a few trails. We saw some Little Blue Herons, Another Towhee, and a good look at the Great Crested Flycatcher once more. More than 45 birds so it was a good day. IN the morning I did see the Rose Breasted Grosbeaks on my walk around. Oh, yes we saw a flock of Orchard Orioles on lunch break. He says “ Queeto”, “Queeto”, and “Queeto” and is beautiful in yellow, and rufous colors. Ruth did get some more horses and a young colt hat was prancing in one of the turn arounds..
We departed about 3:00 , stopped at another state park briefly, called Pokemoke. IT was quiet as the heat of the inland air was now up to 80 degrees F. By the time we stopped for a few groceries and returned to camp near the Ocean it had dropped to 72 F. Very comfortable, and the sun was still shining. . Rain threatens again this evening but the Minotaur shot has been moved up to 7:35 so we may get to watch it.
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