Saturday's Critters # 518

Welcome to Saturday's Critters!

Hello and happy Saturday!

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 🦃🥧

 If you love all God's creatures like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!

On Oct 9-11th , hubby and I went on a short getaway. First we took a short detour off of Rt 50 to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge Maryland. Then we headed to Chincoteague Island Virginia, the Chincoteague Island National Wildlife Refuge, Tom's Cove and the Assateague Island National Seashore. 

1. These are images from our drive at the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge. At Blackwater NWR, we took the short Marsh Edge trail. 

We saw and heard these Terns, they were so loud. I think they were fighting over a fish?  Back in the car and on the wildlife drive, I found a juvenile Bald Eagle sitting in a tree, monarchs were flying next to our car, a White-tailed Deer walking off into the wood and the Tickseed  Sunflowers were plentiful along the drive. 

 

The Tickseed Sunflowers looked pretty, the yellow flowers were seen all along the wildlife drive. 

2. Further along the wildlife drive, we saw the Yellowlegs, numerous Great Blue Herons, Canada Geese and an Egret. 

3. We saw two Mallards, one is hidden in the grasses hanging out with the Canada Geese.  

4. Looking straight on, the Great Blue Heron looks a little silly. 

5. After driving a total of 4 hours or more, we arrived in Chincoteague. We took a walk on the trail to the pony overlook.  On the way I saw this tiny Sika deer, it is so cute. At the pony overlook I found one Tricolored Heron and the ponies of course. 

The Sika Deer is a small member of the elk family, they have dark brown to black coat. They have short snouts and small ears. The Sika Deer were introduced to Maryland's Eastern Shore and in Virginia. I am assuming this was a juvenile Sika Deer, it just stood and stared at us while we were on the trail. 

A distant look at the Chincoteague Ponies. 

Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets are mixed together, a few times I think I saw the juvenile Little Blue Heron which is also white.  

6. On the road to the beach, we see lots of Egrets. Further up the road we see the Double-crested Cormorants hanging out, we caught the sun setting at Tom's Cove, a small group of Black-bellied Plovers  (just a guess) and there were 3 Great Blue Herons flying over the cove. 

7. On the shore of the cove, I was watching a group of what I believe are the juvenile Black-bellied Plovers.  There is a closer look at two in the mosaic above bottom left image. 

8. The end of day one, we watched the sun setting over Tom's Cove in Chincoteague Island NWR. 

Thank you for sharing your critters and post!

Thanks to all my visitors and for your past and present comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves and respects wildlife. Thank you for linking up a critter post.

Here is my linky:

I am linking up to Heidrun's Mosaic Monday  I hope you can stop by and visit Heidrun and check out the Mosaic Monday post.

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a happy new week!

"The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul."

Chincoteague Island and the Assateague Nat'l Seashore

"Happiness is a quiet walk along the beach."

"We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone."

Comments off, enjoy your day!

Saturday's Critters # 408

Welcome to Saturday's Critters!

Hello and happy Saturday!

 If you love all God's creatures like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!

On Sept 19-21, 2021 hubby and I visited Chincoteague Island, the National Wildlife Refuge and National Seashore in Virginia. I love seeing the wild ponies. It is a great place to see migrating birds, shorebirds and waders, geese and ducks. 

Click on photos for larger viewing.

1. These are images from our first day Sept 19th.

On the top row are the Laughing Gull, Chincoteague wild ponies.

Second row: juvenile Little Blue Herons, Snowy Egret with Great Egret, Cattle Egret, adult Little Blue Heron.

Bottom row: Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Bald Eagle, sunset and full moon rising.

2. The Cattle Egret showing it breeding colors on it's crown and back. 

3. The Chincoteague ponies, some egrets were seen on the ground and on the backs of the ponies. 

4. Adult Little Blue Heron with a few first year Little Blue Herons are actually white in color showing a two toned bill.

5. I am guessing at these 3 birds, 2 were larger in size which I believe are the Greater Yellowlegs and the smaller bird in front is the Lesser Yellowlegs.

6. The Great Egret is obvious with it's long yellow bill and dark legs and feet. 

7. Snowy Egret with the taller Great Egret. 

8. A pair of Bald Eagles perched high in the trees.

9. A closer look at one of the Bald Eagles. 

I hope you enjoyed this post, my photos and our visit to Chincoteague Island NWR. 

I am also linking up to Anni's blog party found here I'd Rather B Birding   Anni always has some beautiful birds to be seen on her blog, check it out!

Here is my linky:

YOU are all # 1.

Thanks to all my visitors and for your comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves critters and has linked up their critter post.

Happy Thankful Thursday!

Happy Thursday! 

I am thankful for all the beauty around me, during our Chincoteague getaway we were able to see a few sunrise and sunsets.  I am thankful hubby and I had safe travels and  a great little trip.

 "May every sunrise bring you hope, may every sunset bring your peace!" 

Click on photos for larger viewing. 

1. The first morning and sunrise, a beautiful start to the day!

2.  Assateague Island Lighthouse, closed due to Covid. But we could walk around the outside.

3. The beauty around us, we hike the marsh trail.  We were surprised to see so many yellow flowers  all around us.  A few purple blooms, I m not sure of the id for either flower. 

 " Believe in something beautiful again. "

 

4.  I watched these kites while waiting to see the sunset.

  Hope makes our life a little brighter, peace brings us all a little nearer. Joy makes our hearts a little lighter.

 

 

5. Sunset

 

6.  A pair of Northern Flicker on the trail in front of us. 

 

7. Chincoteague Egrets, White Ibis, Tricolored Herons and the ponies way in the distance. 

 

8. Gulls and Cormorants, just after the sunrise.

 

9. Sunrise on our last morning, start of a another lovely day and an end to our getaway.

 "The beach, a place of relaxation, rest and tranquility."

 

 

 10. Are these swamp flowers? A closeup is on my flower mosaic above. 

 

 

11. Atlantic Ocean, I hope to see you again soon.

Thankfully, we are happy and healthy.

Go outside and breathe deeply.  Enjoy every moment. 

Take care and stay safe! 


Live simple and be happy!  😊 Keep smiling!


Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday. 
 

Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday
 

Thank you for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!!  😊

 

Happy Thankful Thursday!

Happy Thursday,   

 Missing our traveling, the urge to go somewhere was strong. We had been talking about Chincoteague Island Virginia, the weather was perfect so off we go.  We wore our mask and kept our distance, it was easy take the necessary health precautions.   I have lots more photos from our Chincoteague Island Virginia getaway. We saw a beautiful sunset, the wild ponies, lots of birds and the beautiful beach.  At 3pm they open the wildlife drive, hubby and I had great bird sightings, pretty views of fall colors and the marsh land. 

1. I am guessing at the bird id below, a juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron. It has the dark beak and little white spots on the coverts.

 

It's a beautiful day,

don't let it get away! A song from U2, is stuck in my head. It's a beautiful day! 

 

2. Hubby and I both love spending time outdoors with nature.  We rarely visit cities, I am thankful for green spaces, parks and beaches.

 

Below various ducks, Great Egret and the Belted Kingfisher.

3. I like watching the birds lift off the ground, fly around only to land in the same spot.  Below were various gulls, cormorants and terns.

4.  Me and my shadow have some long legs, the day was almost over and we were heading to a spot to watch the sunset.

 

 

5. A Great Blue Heron has it's own fishing spot.

 

6. Sunset at Tom's Cove in Assateague Island National Seashore, thankful for a beautiful day and  lovely sunset.

7.  A beautiful sky and sunset. 

8.  Tom's Cove sunset, there is a water tower to the left side.

I am thankful for beautiful weather and skies and gorgeous sunsets.

I am thankful for everything nature related.

Take care and stay safe! 


Live simple and be happy!  😊 Keep smiling!



Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday. 
Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday


Thank you for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!!  😊

Our World, My World

Happy Monday,  

In early October hubby and I were able to getaway to Chincoteague Island  Virginia.  We were still wearing our mask and keeping our distance and trying to stay safe and healthy.  A great deal of time we were either in our car or enjoying the outdoors.   We enjoyed the change of scenery with walks on the beach, seeing the wild ponies, lots of shore birds, fresh air and the sounds of the ocean. 

 1. Photos below of our walk on the beach, near Tom's Cove, there was a huge flock of terns mixed with gulls, cormorants and the Sanderlings were seen on the beach. 

 

2. Me and my shadow, walking on the beach at Chincoteague.

 

3.  The Chincoteague ponies were a distance away, some were seen in the corral. The wild ponies were being rounded up for a fall health check up. 

 

4. Some ponies were already in the corral, waiting for their health check up. 

 

5. Snowy Egrets, DC Cormorants, Great Egrets and White Ibis were plentiful, seen all around the Chincoteague NWR.

 

 

6. Lots of Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Tricolored Herons and White Ibis.
 

 7.  Social distancing at the Chincoteague Island beach, also known as Assateaugue Island National Seashore. 

I'll have more to share on our visit to Chincoteague Island and the National Wildlife Refuge and National Seashore.

We are still hanging in there, happy and healthy.   I hope everyone is safe, happy and healthy. 


What's happening in your corner of the world? Please check out and visit the following memes and links. I hope to see you there.


 
Thanks to Angie the host of  Mosaic Monday

Thanks to LadyFi  the host of Our World Tuesday!

Thanks for visiting and commenting, have a happy day and a great new week!

 

 

 

Saturday's Critters #54

Saturday's Critters #54

Happy weekend everyone, I hope your Christmas was wonderful ! Ok, it's time to share your critters.. Any kind of critter will do.. I appreciate everyone who has linked up in the past and for those who are linking in on this week's critter party. And of course I always appreciate my blogging friends stopping by just for a visit..

Also, I hope you can check out the post at Anni's I'd-Rather-B-Birdin.  You should also check out Misty Dawn's Camera Critters.

I am sharing a variety of birds seen at Chincoteague NWR at the beginning of December..

A Song Sparrow

A Pied-billed Grebe

A Brown Creeper blending in with the tree. Chincoteague NWR is one of my favorite places to visit. There are always some great birds to see there.


May your New Year be decorated with sweet memories, wonderful days and memorable nights. Have a great new year ahead.

An InLinkz Link-up

Thanks to Tex Theresa aka Tex, I was able to add this link up button and thanks to  Jennifer for creating my photo badge.

<a href="http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/"><img src=" https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3915/15299083201_9709303697_m.jpg" width="185" height="240"></a>



Thank you for linking up to the critter party. I also appreciate the visits, comments and the support of my blogging friends................... Have a happy weekend!
To see more beautiful birds and cute critters, check out these two memes below.

Please visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious host: Anni.  Also check out Camera Critters. Thanks to Misty for hosting this fun meme.