Day 44, Monday May 16, 2016, Last Day at Cape May. Picking up the ‘odds ’n ends’.

HAVING TROUBLE WITH  DOWNLOAD.  WILL HAVETO WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW. MEANWHILE, SEE FACE BOOK (JIM STROHMER)

And that is exactly what it was. Some of the places near the campground that we had not seen , but were recommended we got to, today. 

First it was a repeat of part of  the Conservation Meadow walk and we were treated to a very large gathering of CHIMNEY SWIFTS  and some ROUGH WINGED SWALLOWS  both new birds on the trip. The sun was out and although the temps were in the mid 50’s the wind kept the sun from making it feel any warmer. We also spotted two Oystercatchers snuggled down behind some tufts of grass, on a dune near the beach,  with the wind blowing.

The cement bacch defense that still lies on the shore
at Cape May. It was built in 1942 with two 155mm
guns that could shoot a100 pound shell 13.5 miles.
IT was originally built 900 feet from the shore.At
high tide it is in the water these days.

Two groups of birders meeting at the same birding spot
at the same time inadvertently.

For me, I wanted to go back to the State Park and get a photo of the huge concrete “Bunker” that was built in WW2 for both defensive purposes in case of an invasion, and also an offensive weapon to report any submarine activity or saboteurs coming ashore. The credits read in part…"This bunker or gun emplacement was built in 1942. The round turrets on either side held six-inch guns. The horseshoe-shaped structures which can be seen out in front at low tide are Panama Mounts. These were built in July, 1941, prior to the construction of the more permanent bunker, and held four 155mm coast artillery guns. “ ( A 155 mm shell can fire 13 miles and weighs 100 pounds.) When it was built it was 900 feet from the shore. Today it suffers from the forces of the tide.

I found a few birds on that walk including the CAROLINA WREN.

The next stop on this ”wrap up” day , was to the Ocean side on the west end, where we could see the CORMORANTS  and the SANDPIPERS  as they flew by in flocks.  The wind was in the west so the whitecaps blew heavily against the rocks in Delaware Bay. There was also time to purchase a few gifts at he Seashore Gift Shop. This is the place we chose to eat our lunch  and as usual we had packed it in the AM.

The beaches here are protected and no trespassing during
 breeding season of the shorebirds , especially the
Snowy Plover.

One of the trails we took, looking for new species
THat is an impoundment on the left. The Ocean beach
is just over the dune on the left.

THis is a Beach Plum tree, They often grow away from
the beachhes.  The pink blossoms turn into fruit
for the migrating and local birds.

The big homes and beach of Cape May beckoned us so that is where we headed. If you don’t know Cape May, it  is easy to get turned around. Fortunately it was a sunny day , so directions were easier to tell. We did stop at the beach and ‘toured’ the town, seeing many of the hotels and homes along the way. You could tell it was ‘get ready for summer” time , as there were dozens of painting teams, construction workers, power washers, and maintenance people getting the many places ready  for the onslaught of summer tourists. One thing about Cape May is the “PAINTED WOODEN“ look it has. There must be a building code that covers that.

A momma Mute Swan and her two cygnets on a
impoundment.

One of the many homes in Cape May
That continues the tradtion of fine
homes and painted surfaces. Just think
if yulived on one, you would have to paint
every three years or so as the Ocean
wind and salt spray would deem that.

Happy Third Birthday to my greatgrandson
Oliver Cole Ardell 

Finally we went to the other end of the Conservancy Meadow and walked the trail where we did find some 10 more species including a Mother Mute Swan and two Cygnets. Black Duck, Dunlin and many other shore birds brought our total of the day to 55. It was a good day. Our feeder was empty at the trailer when we returned.  Only the hummer got food this evening.

Tomorrow we head for Pennsylvania and a two day visit with the Simmons family. Come on along!