May 21 - 22 2009: James River State Park, Va.

My wife and I visited James River, the newest state park in Va. The sights and amenities were quite new and well maintained. Our pull through RV site was at least 80' long and level. There are a number of trails to explore, including Taylor's Pond, Green Hill Pond (accessible), and the River Trail.

Taylor's Pond was about 2 acres in size--reeds, turtles, flowers, and insects--a nice little walk.

At the Green Hill Pond, the state has provided a 1/3 mile walkway around the pond. We observed turtles, fish, dragonflies, heard a bobwhite, observed a prothonotary warbler, and I even watched a bat flutter around the pond and then go to the water's edge to get some water, then fly away. The 'wild' tufted titmice moved about a lot, emitting mating sounds unlike those I hear at home. The smell of the honeysuckle was nice yet strong.

I watched a lone bat fly and flutter over this pond--even checked it out with binoculars--and fly down to get a drink of water then fly away.

This wide path around the lake was over 1/3 mile long.


Turtles sunning themselves

Nice lily pads; too early for flowers.

Wild blackberry in bloom

Hedge Bindweed

Buttercup

Daisy

Mountain Laurel

Yucca

Nice colors--unable to identify

A canoe and livery service operates at this park--put in upstream and take out downstream about 8 miles later. Unfortunately, the current due to recent significant rainfall was running 5 - 6 miles per hour (9' per second), which was faster than I would go out in to. Maybe next time.

Fast running river, as seen at the put-in

Black snake by the take out


Canoe and small boat take out

Unusual device near the take out--even has a fire box at lower left

The "Appomatox", a replica of a bateau used to run cargo between Richmond and Lynchburg during the early 1800s. Poles were used to power the bateau up and down the river.

The bateau style of boat was overtaken by larger barges when the James and Kanawha (W Va) Canal opened up parallel to the James River. An old lock may be seen at the James River crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway a little ways upstream.

Stern view of the bateau

Taylor Pond loop trail

Delightful cat tails

Mountain Laurel in bloom

Unusual sight of grasses in the water, with late afternoon sunlight on the water



This Stream Cruiser kindly chose to hover near me at water's edge

More grasses illuminated by the late afternoon sun

Bluets

Pretty flowers--unable to identify

The ferns were quite lush

A pod and stalk on the water's edge

I like this view of the grasses

A final flower

Liz Hartwell Mason Neck NWR April 25 2009

Liz Hartwell was a staunch environmentalist who set out to preserve the Mason Neck peninsula of Va (above Mount Vernon) and make it a sanctuary for bald eagles. In 1969, the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge was created. The "Eagle Festival" took place on the 40th anniversary of this event at the adjacent Mason Neck State Park.

In addition to presentations by Reptiles Alive and the Raptor Conservancy of Va., I was looking forward to the trip to the Great Blue Heron Rookery--opened to the public once a year: today.

The Mason Neck State Park includes a small boat launch, canoes for rent, a shoreline and view onto Belmont Bay, flowers, birds, and a playground. It is one of my favorite state parks.

Pictures below shall almost all aspects of the park. Unfortunately, when I got to the rookery a little after 11am, most of the great blue herons had departed for a cooler location--temperatures were already in the unseasonable upper 80's. However, there was a real bonus on the way back: a pair of wood ducks in a pond by the road!

The Raptor Conservancy presented two eastern screech owls and a red tailed hawk as part of their outreach. Pictures of them are below.

Great Blue Heron above Belmont Bay

Many heron nests above the marsh

Great Blue Heron perched in a tree

Wood duck!

Reptiles Alive presents a bull snake.

A blue skank is now being displayed!

The Northern Va Astronomy Club was setting up for some evening star gazing.

Bluets by the road side.

An old stump by the water's edge.

A turtle sunning himself by the small boat put-in

Other turtles behind him.

A gorgeous tree in bloom.

Another small shrub in bloom.

A new butterfly (to me) enjoying the tree in bloom.

My favorite presentation by the Raptor Conservancy

An Eastern Screech Owl

A companion Eastern Screech Owl

Another view of the first owl

A nervous Red Tailed Hawk is presented to the crowd

Frontal view--note the talons!

Side view

Back view of the red tailed hawk

One more view