Trip Day Thursday 13 May 6, 2021 Triadelphia Reservoir or Brighton Dam

There were no appointments today so we got a good start and it was good as we beat the “pre Mothers Day” crowd to the Azalea Gardens by the Brighton Dam. A few phone calls to get some camping dates set, and a call to  Brenda Strohmer, who, with her family runs a farm just outside of Baltimore that we will try to visit tomorrow. We will share family heritage or maybe not?

The drive to the Brighton Dam was quite short and not complicated  as it  is about 20 miles closer to Baltimore  but still very much in the “woods”. Almost all  roads in this county except the freeway, curve and go up and down hill in a very short distance. in one mile  a road could have 5-6 hills and 3-4 curves or more. Speeds are usually posted at 35  or 45 mph  max, and some places on sharper curves at 25 mph. On route MD 97 which is a main trucking route there are places where there is no shoulder, and the curves slow traffic to 25mph. both sides more than likely surrounded by heavy forests right up ti the road edge. Reminds us of Kentucky in Harlan County.
 

Some of the 20,000 Azalea shrubs

                                The entry to the Garden

As we arrived at the Visitor Center there were two levels and I walked up to see if the upper level was the “front door”? It was, so I drove Ruth around to the top side where “Dorothy” greeted us on the phone and came out to see what was needed,  (The "covid" procedure was all posted on a big sign). The Azalea Garden was just across the street and we knew there were some birding/fishing spots, so a map she gave us helped pin point them. Remember, RUTH AND I  NEVER USED GPS ON ANY OF OUR TRAVELS. (overseas or stateside—Canada as well). So we started across the street to the Azalea Garden created  by the original Water supervisor of the Washington DC   (WSSC) Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission of which this Reservoir is one of two that supplies water to both Montgomery and Prince George Counties in Maryland.

More Azaleas!  Pink Pearl, Snow, Macrantha, Glen Dales and many  more up to 24 varieties.

 Ruth wandered as much as she could on the packed gravel pathways in the Garden,  and we did visit for 1 1/2hours as many Azaleas as we could. Ruth’s toe is healing but we didn’t want to abuse it. We walked  slow, but got there like the proverbial “turtle”. The Garden was a beautiful sight and our kudos to the crews that maintain it, and the visionary  who created it.  There were a few birds there including below the dam, a American Bald Eagle that I just caught a glimpse of soaring as we started across the road. Our first Bald Eagle but I don’t think our last.

a White Rumped Sandpiper seen at Big Branch fishing site. It flew a few times for us teo see that white rump!

The marker explaning of the Garden.

Next on the list was a small cove named the “pigtail” because of its shape. It is mainly a fishing site but has some good trails that lead to isolated bird watching.  But, as the reservoir  (where the Pigtail is located) has the highest water of the year, so the trail was under water for the most part. We did spot few species in the Parking lot there and talked with a supervising doing some work for the WSSC.

I will list some of the birds we saw today near the end of the blog.
 

The Brighton Dam , MD

The Visitor's Center Brighton Dam, MD

Birdsspecies seen; Mockingbird, Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Eastern Bluebird, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Northern Parula, White rumped Sandpiper, Eastern Phoebe, Northern Harrier and 14 others.

Trip Day 12, May 5, 2021 At Woodbine MD, Rollin Pines RV

It rained most of the night but not as hard as the day before. It did look like it would end by 11:45, so we still made plans to head out about that time. The sky began to clear about an hour before that so we made a lunch, and were ready to travel by 10:15 AM.

The Patapsco State Park. This is a Park that wanders along  the river of the same name for some 25-30 miles. That’s quite a Park! It was easily reached only 25 miles down the road so we were there before the temps rose much after the rain. It did get to 73F today.

We were met at the gate by”Virginia” the Ranger on duty as personnel is vastly reduced at all parks. She gave us the information we wanted and some birding tips, and then asked if I was “military”. That meant we were guests with no charge, A pleasant surprise. There are about 4 miles of roads (paved) in the park and some gravel nearer the camping grounds called Hollyfield Camp ground. 

Stopping at a likely spot (there were few autos in the park at that time), we parked and scoped the birds from that vantage point near a surrounding mixed forest and shrub area which encompasses the  parking lot. (Parking lots can be great bird sites as the open area allows some of them ability to fly through to bushes and the like.) Visibility is much greater.

Here was our best birding so far as we picked up a few new species for our list. The outstanding bird was the SCARLET TANAGER in its bright red colors and black highlights. Other new birds were the BROWN CREEPER (a tiny bird), an EASTERN PHOEBE, our first YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER,  (a flock) and we finally sighted a HERMIT THRUSH after many hours of listening to it sing its bugle like call. There was also an EASTERN TOWHEE. That was  a good  stop.

Park HQ.    As all State Park buildings are closed in MD the staff is skeleton, and serves the public only when scheduled are called.

 Visiting the Park HQ for lunch in the parking lot we picked up some of the more common birds and retraced our drive again this time including the Campground which is set back in the hills above the Patapsco River.  Each camping site is remote from each other site by 20-30 feet or more.

It was only four hours on the road , but well spent and the day turned out fine.

Tonight the temps are scheduled to drop to the low 40’s  F and tomorrow will be cooler. If we keep on schedule we will visit a Dam in Southern Howard County where there is a massive 10,000 shrub display of Azaleas. I  can’t wait to see Ruth’s photos of that. 

On the left are the two flags at the Patasco HQ. there are three fenced native  flower gardens there. 

This is the abundant Tulip tree in bloom

 We did finally see one Hermit Thrush  (above) after weeks of hearing them.They are elusive.

 

 

On the way back we made a short stop for gasoline and some sandwich fixins, (Jim likes turkey and “hot” cheese slices with his onion.)

So tomorrow to the Brighton Dam or also known as                 the Triadelphia Reservoir.. Stay tuned.-Jim 

The Old Ranger Trail in Patasco S.P. (above) 

Patapsco State Park  roads to Hollyfield Camp ground.

Ruth's hamburger deluxe on wed evening. Grilled , they are tops.  A little mustard (for me), onion and tomato .

Day 11,  Tuesday May 4, 2021 At Rollin Pines, Woodbine MD

The squirrels really got to the feeders today and knocked down the Oriole Feeder completely. One of the plans today was to get a baffle for the feeder  pole, and secure the tops of the feeder with a piece of tin, to keep them from getting on top of the feeder. We did buy some tin later today at Ace Hardware , now we will see if it will work.

Ruth  had an appointment to see about and eye that was either an eyelash stuck, an infection of something else. Later we found out.
But, we packed the proverbial lunch and headed south of I-70 to the valley of the Patuxent  River State Park .It is an “Open”Park as it has no entry or exit as we know it.  It has many roads that meander along it’s boundaries where the river courses. We stopped at three spots and searched for birds there.

The three we stopped at were; Annapolis Rock, Hipsley Mill, and Howard Chapel.  Because there are no defined locations, we merely parked where convenient and looked for birds there. It had rained heavy last night, so any large parking area was very sticky as the land is all clay.

In the middle of all of this bird watching was this home with these beautiful Azaleas.

 

Hipsleys Mill was the best as we did see and watched for 45 minutes a pair Indigo Buntings looking for food in a large meadow area.  They soared back and forth all the time we were there. There were downed trees and many vines making for good cover for the birds. We also saw a Crested Flycatcher there.
At a  few places we could actually stop on the road as there was no traffic at all. It was a narrow two lane macadam road. So it was good traveling. That state park stretches for 20 miles along the Patuxent River.

At one site (Howard Chapel) ,we did eat our lunch, but no birds appeared although they were heard quite strongly.

 Then it was time to head for Mt. Airy (15 miles distant) and get Ruth to the eye clinic.  Finding the place took a while and do you remember the lady Barber Vicki in two episodes ago? Well, she came through again and directed us to the building , as we absolutely could not find it. No we do not use anything but maps and the computer for guidance.  It works for us and we laugh about the “getting lost “part. Ruth had a scratch on the cornea so we will take care of that with drops and an anti-bacteria. Every three hours  until Friday when he checks it again.

We did pick up some tin at the Ace Hardware, but no baffles were to be found. We need to find a bird store maybe in Fredericksburg on the way to the KOA  near there.

 

Patuxent River birding area.

                                             (right) The trail at Hisleys Mill area

 

 

It is a pleasant 68 F this evening (8 PM) and will probab;y stay near there all night. There were heavy rains and thunderstorm over on Chesapeake Bay area today, and we heard thunder but just a little rain.

Tomorrow we will search in Maryland’s largest Park  called Patasco . It stretches along the River of the same name and is 16,000 acres along the river.

Catch you tomorrow we hope.

Trip Day 10  Monday May 3, 2021 Woodbine ,MD

Rather threatening weather today with some rain drops this morning, but nothing but threats all day long. Overcast.

As the morning was Bible Study at 10:30 that took care of the morning activities  and I always look forward to that .  Later in the day we will try to get in sone laundry and a trip to the store for  a few items. 

 

 

 

 

 

A Red Tailed Hawk at the rehab center In the Nature Center.

After the Bible study had started about 20 minutes, I received a long awaited phone call from ”Bill” a mechanic who was going to look at by brake hookup for the trailer as it was not functioning properly.  I turned the Bible study over to Carol, bless her, and stayed with Bill until he finished. Bill stayed with the problem until he believed all the wires were working on three of the brakes but one. Without taking the trailer into the shop. (Hard to do until you are ready to leave) he could not do a more thorough check  to see if that ‘blue’ wire for the brakes would function properly. We set up a plan to try them on the road and if they didn’t work to contact him and see if we could get it to either his shop or another to repair. We believe the brake is working as all indictors read positive.  He was a thorough worker and did not want to charge the second hour (he was here for 2 hours) on the bill. We will get the “acid test” on the road on Saturday when we take a short trip to Fredericksburg and camp at a KOA near there.

Meanwhile Carol had long signed off and we were an hour past lunch time.

That meant an attempt to wash some laundry  possible here at the three washer campground facility. We got all ready and drove to the laundry. Voila! There were three empty washers. So we lucked out .  (God is good) While waiting for the washing wheels to finish their turning, we read books, had a “Dove” chocolate ice cream bar, and folded the dried laundry. It was a quiet time, I am reading  “The Servant of the Lord and the Servant People”.(Tracing a Biblical theme through the canon.)

 

 

One of the largest barns we saw in Carrol County MD.

 A pond in the Nature center.

 During that time we met the resident maintenance lady who cleans the laundry room and is in charge of all the beautiful flower beds in the campground. They are beautiful and well maintained. Turns out she was a “Military  Brat”, and is a member of a total military family. Mother ,Dad, Husband, and numerous other family members. (We noticed many military haircuts in the Park.) Her husband works at the Pentagon and is home she said only about 5 nights a month.  Talkative lady! She had son at age 47, and coincidentally she was born when her mother was 47!!! She was 58 years of age.

The groceries were next  and we took the short 6 mile  drive into Woodbine and the Food Lion again.  A very well kept store, neat and efficient as was the help. Ruth could not find a good cheese for toasted cheese sandwiches so had to settle for ‘semi soft part skim cheese’ …What on earth is that?

That was it for the day and I settled for a supper of leftovers ,which always helps to trim down the space in the “fridge”. The bird count was down to a dozen today ,and if it weren’t for the squirrels and a few birds at the feeders it would have been a “oh hum” day. at the trailer.
The squirrels forced me to move and adjust the bird feeders as they could get to the feeder from the tree. (jumping) .Moving the feeder enough so it was a distance from the nearest tree, they are stymied for now at least.

 

We did have some Goldfinches at the feeder.

                                  A Kestrel we saw yesterday was on a wire.

 

The campground is much quieter today as the ‘weekenders’ have left and there are a number of vacant spots back here in the back of the Park.

Tomorrow Ruth has an appointment to remove a ‘stuck’ eyelash  in Mt .Airy, and then we will hit a few birding spots not too far away, on the way home.

See you then.—Jim

 Trip Day 9,  May Sunday  2, 2021

It looked like a very fine day as the sun rose this morning at about 6:00 AM here. No,I did not see it but only the light coming through the windows and the blues sky that was a welcome greeting. We all love sunshine and blue sky.

But my morning was highlighted by two squirrels that were determined to get on the bird feeder which was surrounded by trees  and easily accessible. First I took down the feeder and that eliminated the largest problem, that was the suet. Somehow they could reach that but not the seed feeder (I had two feeders), The suet feeder also has an orange and dish for grape jelly. They did not bother the jelly. After removing the suet I waited a while  before putting the Oriole feeder back up and that seemed to (so far) discourage them.Time will tell. Chickadees, “Chippies”, White Breasted Nuthatch, Titmouse, and Goldfinches have all stopped to get  black sunflower seed.
 

The Salt Box Park from the rear view mirror .You can see it is down in the valley. The words on thesign are reversed!

The squirrel on the feeder hanging by its toes.

Below the flowers on a Dogwood in the Salt Box fields.

 We took time for church services on “Zoom” at 10:00 and always enjoy and get uplifted by them.

 That left us getting started to look for more possible birding spots. I had scoped out a 1/2 dozen so we would try to find them, and pursue the birds.

The first one was just a mile south of us on a road of  different name. “The Salt Box Park”. Simple enough? Sure, but we only asked two people on the way where it was and it didn’t appear on a sign anywhere. We did pass a small sign on a one track road and returned to see if that was it.  It was, and “voila” there were two full size hardball baseball diamonds.  and lots of space besides. After taking down a tent  from a celebration the day before, a group gathered by their trucks. I stopped and asked if this was “The Salt Box”? “Yes”they said but it was more than that. After I also asked if they could tell us where the Gillies Road Reservoir was, They all chuckled . (Local secret?) Almost. Many years ago the county wanted to make a reservoir out of this space as it was surrounded by hills. It never came to pass but the name stuck. So we “killed two birds with one stop”.  Oh the “Salt Box”?  Right! The hill by the entrance is so bad in the winter that the county put a large salt box  on the side of the road to use when the road was difficult or icy. The name stuck.There were no birds there ,so we moved on.

 We finally drove right to Marsh Road and the County park named Piney Run and Nature Center. We found it to be delightful.  It was named after the part of the reservoir named Liberty. (We were in the other side of it yesterday). and although the beach area was crowded and filled with many boats, (you could rent one there), the Nature Park was quiet with few visitors. It was not open indoors, but the raptor rehab building had 6 species of birds outside, recovering . Because of the wire fence, photos did not take well. A Great Horned Owl, a Red Shouldered Hawk, a Red Tailed Hawk, A Barred Owl, and a Pygmy Owl all were in various stages of rehabilitation. There was a large garden area , in early stages of opening. A few flowers, and displays like the Eagle Scout project of a large “insect house:” Again the birds were few.

 

 

After driving back to the trailer and downloading photos and getting refreshed we stayed until suppertime and agreed on some take out meal . We opted for Popeyes Louisiana Chicken and proceeded back to Westminster (17 miles) to get it. We may never have driven so far for a meal while trailering.  (Although we did drive from Grand Rapids to Sault Ste. Marie for dinner  for Ruth’s brother-in-law.. We have since limited the miles for that “free meal”.)

The day ended with getting final touches on tomorrow’s Bible Study, at 10:30 AM. As we study Moses arguing with God before the 40 years in the desert. (Exodus Ch 33 and 34) —-Tomorrow laundry?

 This is an Eagle Scout Project that holds bees (bamboo pieces) and various materials for insects and larvae to nest.

A yurt at the Nture Center whichis being constructed into a gift store and demonstration center.

                                    This flower at theNature Center is named Dame's Rocket.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

 

    Trip Day 8 , at Woodbine May 1, 2021

It was a very cool morning with the temps getting to 44 F but reaching 62F and sunny skies all day.  Can’t beat that for good days to get out on the sun and enjoy the fresh air.

We did just that with a trip to the Archibald Audubon Sanctuary we had put off two days.  We followed MD 144 again and this time were able to stay on course. Making one turn onto Boyer MIlls Rd. we found the Sanctuary with a very unobtrusive entrance as I went by at 50 mph. Ruth says “there it was”. There was  just one sign at the entrance. We drove through deep woods to the parking area and found some benches and a picnic table at the edge of a very large meadow. 

The Archibald Audubon Sanctuary

 A good place to start. Near the covered gazebo, were two large Swallow houses built near the ground much differently than the ones high up a pole at Audrey Carrol A.S. we had seen two days ago. These were large houses about 5 feet off the ground with two baffles  (snakes and varmints). The Tree Swallows were abundant. We sat and listened and watched for the activity in that spot which began to return after about 15 minutes. Birds don’t like interruptions. A Mockingbird caught our ear ,so finding it was  the problem.( We do not count any bird if we cannot see it even though we know what it is. Birders unwritten law!) It was persistent but distant.  Its voice carries like the Meadowlark a long ways across the land.  Finally it flew which was a giveaway as the white wing flashes were  easily seen.

A large hedge off to the side saw two Catbirds fly out suddenly and land in a tree at the edge of the meadow.  They hung around all the time we were there and their musical call is evident.  There were the ubiquitous Chipping Sparrows , many Tree swallows, Bluebirds, Cowbirds, and both a Hairy Woodpecker and a Veery.  We did eat our packed lunch there as a being in a parked vehicle with the windows down, often brings good bird watching. (Saw the latter two birds then

 

Those Swallow nests near the ground .They were huge.

Driving back toward Woodbine and  Piney Run Lake, we did see our first Red Winged Blackbird in MD, some Canadian Geese and Mallard ducks. The two bodies of water were not accessible until we found the boat ramp on one of them, that was the Liberty Reservoir. On the way there we passed a DQ and I told Ruth we would come back this way .During the first “drive by” the line was snaking out into the road, but the second time just three vehicles in line. (No inside service).

 

THere are two Pesky squirrels at the suet feeder only, as I revoved dead branches for access to the seed feeder.

After the DQ it was “head for the trailer”. It is always  a good plan for us to have some “down time” when  coming back to the trailer in order to download photos, make notes, clean out the cooler  and put everything in its place once again. 
 

Downton Frederick MD

So after the supper of Taco salad, one of my favorites that Ruth makes, and dishes done, we chilled out while  I did watch the evening birds. They  begin to be active for 30 minutes before the sun went down.  Heard a few  and saw some, but after 17 months of no “on the road birding”, I can see our senses need sharpening .

Tomorrow we will stay here, as on Sunday, the roads in this area will be very busy. (We’re just 20 miles from Baltimore).  The campground is full but there might be time for some horseshoes  or if it gets to 87 F as predicted, maybe a dip in the pool which is filled and ready to enjoy.

 

 The children enjoy a ride in the hay wagon.

 Tomorrow we will recap the day again. See you in church.

            Day  7 Trip east At Woodbine MD

It was very windy today after that heavy rainstorm last night. It stayed in the 25-35 mph range with gusts up to 60 mph until supper time this evening when it started to quiet down . Still breezy but not like the day.

We did not intentionally seek birds today and our daily list went from a meager 17 yesterday to a paltry 7 today. Without trying that is still very few birds. I can do better in my backyard!!!~

So instead, we visited the historical town of Westminster just north of here about 30 miles.  IT was established in 1784 by William Winchester.  We are still in Carrol County MD . So as I said yesterday planning doesn’t always work out what was expected..

Because of the building of the B and O RR (Baltimore and Ohio for those o you that haven’t played monopoly lately) here in 1891 Westminster became the “jumping off” place for folks heading west. The main street with its still operating hotels is a testament to that boom time. The German immigrants brought with them that sturdy brick architecture  seen still in  Main St
architecture. An Opera House was built before the Civil War and the name B.F Shriver will be mentioned again here besides his canning company of the 19th century. (see later for comments about the Union and Confederate troops marching through near here in the same 24 hour period. They were that close to each other on their way to Gettysburg.

The old row houses in Wincester, MD

 We stopped at the City Hall at the Visitors Center.  IT was originally the home of John R Longwell and at it’s building was declared the most beautiful home in America. He was the publisher of the Newspaper that lives yet today.  In those days newspapers were very biased and were “owned “usually by a political party. There were over 100 newspaper from the mid 1800’s to the present in Carrol County. Most were weekly and didn’t last but a few years.

 

 

 

 

 We don’t always stop at visitor’s centers but this seemed a good idea as the road system was  not laid out by an engineer but by the original  trails.The visitor Center was directed by Diane who shared with us some highlights of the area. Birding was not on the agenda, but… Barns were, when Ruth spotted a brochure on “Quilt Barns of Carrol County”. That was it for the day, a good day for moving with the truck from Barn to Barn.

Before the first barn visit,  we saw a huge crowd at a garden/plant sale at a Grist Mill that we wanted to visit. It is an annual sale of the Foundation at the house where B.F Shriver and  his brother divided loyalties during the Civil War  (see one photo)  did house the Confederates on one night and the union soldiers on the next night on their grounds, His brother lived across the street. The garden sale covered three large building and the lawn with a barbecue pit running for lunch. (No…we had packed a lunch, remember?

Carroll County has about …no …EXACTLY…34 barns with the quilt designs on them. This has been done by the County Community as a joint project  since 2013.  The pattern each farm chooses is their own and comes from  classic quilt patterns of the past and some that retell the story of their farm family experience. Hence we have here a “Barn Quilt Trail” of sorts that one can follow throughout the county. Ruth and I managed to visit 4 of them today and added 3 other barns that she spotted along the way.   One, we could not find, (wrong address in the brochure) but I found it later on Google earth.   (Isn’t that a great creation?)  (See photos)  It was a fun experience and gave me a chance to solidify somewhat, the roads of Carrol County.

B.F. Shriver's Manor House

 

 

 

 

 

Stars and Bars Quilt pattern

We headed for the trailer in mid-afternoon and even though we talked about stopping for a DQ, we did not see one, and I hesitated to look for one on the phone.  (Ruth has a rue about eating anything after 3;00 PM before supper.

Log Cabin Quilt design

 Churn Dish 

 

 

 Carpenter's Wheel Quilt Design

 

 

 

It was a good day in spite of the wind.