Great Blue Heron
We went to the Parkway in search of birds today, and began to find them almost immediately.
Our Great Blue Heron a moment before he took flight.
Wading, perching, flying, eating, swimming, resting; the birds have returned.
Another Great Blue Heron, a little farther down the Parkway, near the College Creek bridge.
Everywhere we went we heard birdsong. The little ones darted past us in quick flights from perch to perch.
There were dozens of scarlet cardinals, with their brownish mates. We saw bluebirds, starlings, clouds of red winged black birds, and dozens more who moved to fast to name.
A flock of Red Winged Blackbirds
Of course our Red-tailed Hawk was there surveying his marsh.
Red-Tailed Hawk
And the Great Blue Herons fished in the shallows of College Creek.
Canada Geese gathered on the James, and on its muddy rain-soaked banks, looking for shelter.
Canada Geese on the James River
Another grey day, with low sky and chilly wind. At least we were thawing out here today. But the persistent damp and cold faded against the brilliant beauty of the wild birds returning to the park.
Ducks where the James empties into College Creek.
We noticed trees budding against the grey clouds. There is a quickening; an impatience to begin the season.
We felt it in the movement of the birds today, the beat of their wings and their lively chatter.
So come along to the Colonial Parkway, in James City County, beside the James River. Join us as we watch for wings.
All Photos by Woodland Gnome 2014
We love this photo of the bank of College Creek, to the right of the Colonial Parkway bridge. Relax your eyes. Can you spot the “faces” in the side of the bank? Can you spot the “caves” along the shoreline? This is a favorite fishing spot during most of the season. (click on any photo to enlarge it)
Geese behind our friends’ home on College Creek
Forest Garden 
Photos are just beautiful! We’ve recently relocated to Richmond, VA and I can’t wait to capture the Blue Heron. Thanks so much for liking several of my posts. Be well.
Welcome to Richmond! I’ve lived in Richmond off and on for many decade of my life 😉 I hope you are enjoying it. Have you been down to James River Park? A great spot for wildlife, human and not….
What a beautiful site you have 😉 Best wishes, WG
A bounty of birds! How lovely, WG. 🙂 I’ve been trying to find your email in the mess that is my email (usually it shows up on a comment), but have been unsuccessful so far. We’re headed down your way this weekend, but it’s going to be such a quick and full trip that I won’t have the time I’d hoped for to meet up with you. We should be down that way again in the next month or so, and we’ll have more time to do as we please. We’re meeting with old friends we haven’t seen in a while this time around, and they have our day all planned out for us.
Dear Robin,
It will be more fun in a month or so when the weather is better. I hope your plans this weekend have you inside. At least it is supposed to warm up some for Sunday. Reach me at woodlandgnome@zoho.com or dc123.4@juno.com. I monitor both all day. I hope you have fun with your friends. Always wonderful to have a chance to catch up 😉 We enjoyed the birds so much, and saw some remarkable ones perching near the edge of the river on the return trip, but my battery had been exhausted by that point. We hope to get back out there one day this weekend to enjoy them some more.
Stay warm 😉 WG
Thanks, WG. Not sure what we’ll be doing, but our friends have a time-share in Williamsburg so if the weather doesn’t cooperate, I imagine we’ll sit around catching up, eating good food, and drinking a little wine. 🙂
Food for Thought is the best restaurant in town. NOT the most expensive, but the best food, and friendliest staff. If you go, ask for Howard, the owner, and tell him you are friends of Elizabeth’s. It is on 60, in the heart of the restaurant area in town. They serve all 3 meals on weekends, and each is a special treat. Hope you have fun, Robin. We’ll look forward to seeing you both next time. Send me an email if your plans change and you have a spare hour. Safe travels, WG