Photo: Bald Eagle, Randy Streufert
Tom Blackburn
A couple of weeks ago I was transfixed by the sight of ten Bald Eagles soaring above me on the shore of Belmont Bay in Mason Neck State Park. A commercial fishing crew had been netting fish, and the eagles were waiting to feast on what the crew left behind. As the boats left the area, one eagle after another swooped down, talons skimming the water as they picked up easy meals. The memory will stay with me for a long time.
Bald Eagle, Randy Streufert
Now is a great time of year to get outside and remember how wonderful and restorative nature can be. Birds are in their glorious springtime plumage, with goldfinches dressed in their best yellow-and-black, cardinals sporting a new crop of red feathers, and warblers showing flashes of yellow as they flit through newly-leafed trees. Birds of all kinds are singing to establish territory and attract mates. On sunny days, turtles are crowding onto logs to capture some extra warmth. Wood frogs have already finished their mating frenzy, leaving behind masses of eggs transforming into tadpoles practically as you watch. And butterflies are becoming more common as the weather warms.
We’re fortunate to live in an area where the weather changes significantly over the course of the year, because each season offers something new. Our winter waterfowl have left, but you can find Hooded Mergansers with their broods of young parading around Huntley Meadows Park and other wetlands. And while not everyone likes Canada Geese, the sight of a pair shepherding their fuzzy yellow offspring might brighten your entire day.
ASNV can help you appreciate the full range of what nature has to offer this month. We’re sponsoring bird walks on May 1, 8, 12, and 15. They are free and registration is not required. We also have a butterfly walk on May 18 and a Birding-by-Ear class on May 12, followed by an optional field trip on May 14. You can see the full list of our May events here. ASNV is also leading two bird walks at Mason Neck State Park in conjunction with the park’s 24th annual Eagle Festival. Registration is required for these two walks; you can do that here.
Of course, it’s not essential to participate in an organized event to appreciate nature. What is important is to get outside and experience how glorious the world can be in spring. Just head for a local park – you’ll be glad you did.