MAPS members met up at the Big Rock Station on this beautiful spring morning and then took off in different directions. Some members hiked over to the Virginia Bluebells patch near P-11, and others went off into the woods and ponds to capture birds.
On their way to find the bluebells they saw toothwart, Spring Beauty, phlox, Prairie and Grandiflora Trillium, Dutchman’s Breeches, Trout Lilies, anmeones and a few other spring wildflowers carpeting the forest floor. The bluebell patch was at its peak, and many of them spent the morning finding the perfect bunch to photograph.
The other group hiked the Woodland Trail and Heritage Trail to capture images of birds. On their way to the trailhead they were thrilled to see a duck peering out of its nest high in a tree. Further down they spotted a male and female wood duck sitting on branches near their nest. They so enjoyed the walk and each other’s company, most birds flittered off. They did spot a pileated woodpecker way in the distance and stopped to photograph a baby owl and its mother, who was observing the commotion they created on the ground. Wood ducks, a red breasted woodpecker, a downy woodpecker and numerous warblers were observed on the trails and ponds by the group but not necessarily captured in camera. They spent most of their morning chasing these feathered beauties….what fun!
