Walking Through the Woods
With Mistletoe, Poo, and You

... is what I promised Ph. I would call this entry about our Sunday ramble at Dutch Gap. There's a wonderful conservation area with hiking trails adjacent to the reconstruction of the 1611 English town of Henricus.

I am struggling to make this a narrative: it's all impressionistic and snapshot-y. Thus the title, I suppose.

Our morning was chilly, lit by clear, low sunlight.
Red leaves across the pond lit up bright;
Yellow leaves behind us, all aglow.
The fine contrast of loblolly pine needles against bright blue sky.

Quiet -- except . . . is that gunfire? It's so frequent (but distant) that it must be a firing range. Also, boating is permitted, so add some macho motors whizzing by.

We found the bald cyprus -- cyprus knees! -- as promised by both the website and the map provided by the visitors' center. We found that path an excellent scramble, frequented by more critters than we could identify by droppings only. The feathers I found suggest some poo must have been turkey, and, indeed, when I saw something largish moving on the other side of the water, I thought we might spot one. Instead, I found myself suddenly whispering, Oh! Look, a deer.

I did not whisper about the other find, a spay or two of mistletoe in a hardwood tree. ; )

The birding was good:
kinglet
chickadee
black & white warbler
cardinal
mocking bird
great blue heron
kingfisher
flicker

Next time, I need a tree book, because many trees I could not name without help. Maybe a wildflower book, too. Also, we agreed we'll pack a lunch next time, so we can stay longer.

Capital City weather: cold nights, but clear days reaching 70
Upcoming event: Friends of Richmond Public Library Book Sale