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
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
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
1 comment:
John: Thanks for your enjoyment and support of Mom's life work. Your pictures are great! Spread the word!
Rob Hartwell
Chairman
Liz Hartwell Environmental Education Fund
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