Picture Of The Week 09-22-08

Where: Chincoteague, VA • Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Notes: Thanks to the Eastern Shore Birding & Wildlife Festival that brought me to the coast for a long weekend of birding, partnership and fellowship.

After exploring the southern end of the Delmarva Peninsula for a couple of days, my partner and I decided to head north to Willis Wharf for a morning canoe trip and then onward to Chincoteague for the afternoon. This is one of many new images captured as the refuge was teaming with birds that day. The weather perfect. Some birds were still hanging around from the breeding season while others were arriving from their fall migration. I have often read that public parks often yield more close encounters with nature because the animals are more conditioned to the presence of humans. I believe this to be true as I have often experienced this. This "Lil Blue" was searching the bushes along the causeway across the ditch near Tom's Cove. Despite my closeness, I'm sure the "mote" between me and the bird helped its lack of fear as well.