Tag Archives: Swan

Falmouth Rail Trail – Look! Ospreys and Swans! Oh My!

Cape Cod, Nature, New England, Osprey, Rail Trails, Swans, , , , , , ,
Before the summer is over, I wanted to post some of my other favorite images from the summer adventures Yang and I had along the New England rail trails.  In June, we did a rail trail in Falmouth, on the Cape.  As always, we saw some of our favorite  birds there.  We sighted many rabbits and chipmunks, and at one point a fox dashed across the trail far ahead of us.  Per usual, the Catbirds wouldn’t hold still long enough to be photographed.
So, here are some of the lovely birds we could photograph.  In one little bay, we found this swan family:  Mummy and Daddy and several young cygnets.  falmouth2Interestingly enough, one of the kids had already turned white!

 

 

 

 

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We also managed to photograph this gorgeous Osprey. falmouth3 Look at those eyes!  They’re enormous.  No wonder no prey escapes this guy or gal.  There are several spots along the trail that have osprey nests on poles and platforms erected by the good folks on the Cape.  There is even one platform in the bay near the docks in Woods Hole.  As your ship pulls in or out, you can see the family chilling in the nest.

 

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We caught this swan falmouth6swimming forward to greet us in a different marsh along the trail.  I think he’s saying, “I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille” in this shot

 

 

This display is always fun to see along the trail. falmouth7 I think it’s neat that the people who live next to the trail here have such a fun and creative bent with all these nostalgic items.

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This whole rail trail is wonderful to travel, and we usually take the ferry from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard to walk around there and enjoy the beautiful houses, especially the Victorian camp cottages.  Sorry, no pictures.  I  feel intrusive taking those shots.  What a great – and exhausting way to spend the day!

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Adventures on the Cumberland Rail Trail

birds, Rail Trails, turtles, , ,
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Sunday’s ride at the Cumberland, RI rail trail was wonderful. The path is rimmed by trees and shrubs, “reducing all that’s made to a green thought in a green shade.” Except, that description leaves out the rollDSCN1874 of the Blackstone River on one side and the lazy calm of the canal on the other. Wild life abounds as you zip along a well-paved route, with just enough hills to work off a few calories, but not enough to leave you prostrate. And then, what chugs up, must glide down! All eighteen miles of round trip!

Anyway, back to the critters! We saw this fellow lazing in the sun in all his turtlely glory. Look at those luxuriously stretched out hind tootsies! Pretty big for a painted turtle, eh? DSCN1859Apparently, there are also quite few snappers in the river and the canal––but none of them threatened us. Do you think we could escape if one charged?

There was also plenty of feathered fauna to enjoy, too. We could hear all kinds of delighted, playful, trilling and teasing from catbirds, red-winged blackbirds, sparrows, and cardinals. Isn’t spring bird song grand? DSCN1854We also caught sight of this lovely swan, whom one trail-stroller informed us was part of a pair that was brooding a clutch of eggs on an island in the river. And here is proof that the fishermen on the river aren’t all of the homo sapiens DSCN1876variety. I’m sorry I missed my pal the Green Heron, but who can complain about seeing a Great Blue?

The Cumberland trail is just a lovely, relaxing, happy rail trail to cruise. Look at how much fun the other Dr. Yang is having!

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5/27/15