During our weekend at the beach we spent the afternoon at Assateague Island which is a short drive from Ocean City, MD. Dan was able to purchase his Golden Eagle pass so now we get into National parks for free!
We took the Salt Marsh Nature Trail and spotted some lovely egrets. The bird above may be an osprey but that's the closest I could zoom in on it.
Above is my favorite shot. Such a perfect reflection.
The trail is a board walk the whole way.
Here's the ocean at the park looking north to Ocean City.
And here's what the park is known for: wild horses. The ranger is saying, "You can't stop."
Linking to Our World Tuesday and Wild Bird Wednesday.
What lovely shots - especially the birds.
ReplyDeletebeautiful scenery; great walkways and viewing platforms.
ReplyDeleteLove the national parks, we also got a yearly pass...it was every penny!
ReplyDeleteWe saved $5 that day alone. A bargain at $10 and if they were to raise the price it still would be a bargain.
Deletea beautiful park - i'd love to see the ponies. :)
ReplyDeleteIf ou ever get there stop at the visitors center for a marvelous movie about the horses and their origin. Not what I learned from reading "Misty of Chincoteague" as a child.
DeleteWhat a super place to take photos! Wish I lived closer!
ReplyDeleteIt's a 3 hour trip for us.
DeleteLove to see the egret photos! A great place I think.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Pia in Sweden
What a beautiful place. Love the board walk going out into the marsh. And wild ponies!!!! I have read about them, but how exciting to actually see them!
ReplyDeleteThe photos of the egrets are great - especially the one with the reflection - and the salt marsh looks so interesting.
ReplyDeleteBeen to Ocean City MD myself long ago, but was never 'into' birding like I am now. I bet this place is marvelous, as are your photo shares.
ReplyDeleteHow do you pronounce the park? Ass ah TEEG? Is it Native American?
Hootin' Anni @ Hootin' Anni's - Egret taking to flight
and
I'd Rather B Birdin - Cooper's Hawk
You said it just right. Yes it is Native American.
DeleteThere was a woman there taking pictures. I asked her if she posted them on a blog and she said no. I told her about Wild Bird Wednesday.
DeleteLovely photos and birds! Assateague is one of my favorite places. Thanks for sharing your trip and birds.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw the title I thought of the book Misty. I was sure that was the island, but then your post wasn't mentioning it and I doubted myself. In the end you assured me it was. Thanks for reminding me of a great book.
ReplyDeleteThere are actually two herds and the herd to the south is owned by the Chincoteague FireDepartment. They are the ones that have the pony round up each year and sell off the foals to raise money for the fire dept. I think the Misty book was based on that herd. The herd in the National park is very wild with no intentional human contact. Some how the herds don't mix.
DeleteIt's beautiful there. I've always wanted to see the wild ponies, but never have.
ReplyDeleteHi Marcia We are in South East Queensland Australia.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous-looking national park! Isn't the Golden Eagle pass just the best?! Your egret images are beautiful and that's a wonderful reflection you captured. The park rangers all must have the same script, lol! They were hollering, "keep moving!" at the traffic passing in front of Mammoth Lodge in Yellowstone last month when they had a bull elk and his harem just across the street. Mr. Elk had rammed about 50 vehicles because they paused to take a look.
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