Saturday, May 19, 2012

Great Dismal Swamp

Last weekend, while attending the International Birding Festival in the Great Dismal Swamp, I had hoped to see lots of birds...because I am sure the birds got the invitation!  However, I didn't see many birds at all.  One great blue heron, one night heron, and an egret, plus a few robins.  The list of birds that had been seen was pretty long - including the elusive Swainson Warbler - but because I took the bus tour and couldn't work in the walking tour, I was not so lucky.

The damage to the Swamp, done by last year's fire, was extensive, and heartbreaking to see.  Here is the Great Blue, standing among the charred stumps.


We saw lots of Yellow-Bellied Sliders as we traveled along the Railroad Ditch, one of the ditches which was dug to build the roadways into the swamp for logging purposes years ago.  But then we spotted this fellow - he was so funny just hanging out there...legs dangling...

Back at the Visitor Center, we spotted this Red-headed Skink on the tree.


And, that was the extent of the wildlife!


Linking to Camera Critters.

20 comments:

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

How am I ever going to catch up that rabbit?

Nancy said...

At least you tried -- it's too bad the birds didn't cooperate with you! :)

eileeninmd said...

Very sad about the fire, how was it started? I am sorry you did not have a good birdie day. the turtle is cool and the skink is a great sighting. And I always love the herons. Linda, I hope you have a great weekend.

Jessica Cassidy said...

beautiful shots :-) love the turtle most :-) Dropping by from Camera Critters

Anonymous said...

Too bad you didn't see many birds.
I bet that was an interesting trip though.

Jan n Jer said...

Great pics...I love that turtle!!!

TexWisGirl said...

that is one seriously chunky snapper! :) the skink looks pregnant!

Red said...

I'd say that was a pretty good day...photos and all! These critters are awesome.

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

incredible diff in animals from here.. amazing captures

Pia said...

But the photos you made show really interesting animals. The turtle is funny hanging around and the skink is beautiful!

Carletta said...

I would have liked to have gone on that tour.
I think you got three great shots!
I love that turtle shot - he sure looks lazy!! :)

Pat said...

That turtle is just lolling in the sun!

DeniseinVA said...

This is a great tour you took us on, thanks Linda. Loved the photos and that turtle must have been a grandpa.

Chubskulit Rose said...

That skink is gorgeous!

Come and see the cicada in my critter entry.

Dan said...

They say a forest rebounds from a fire quite well. This time next year you'll likely see considerable change.

Awesome critter captures!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I find birds the hardest to catch, they just dash around so quickly. Love the turtle pose, it looks kind of like i feel today haha! I hope that you're having a great Sunday Linda. Sunday Linda.

Anonymous said...

The dismal swamp lives up to its name since that awful fire....yet you found some inhabitants happily occupying it in spite of the devastation!

Pam and Sam

Pix at Under the Oaks said...

Well maybe no birds but you sure got critters!

Dawn aka BusyMom said...

I love this post...I used to wonder why it is called the Dismal Swamp and then I traveled through it... several times a year for the past 12 years and...I get it!

Luckily for me I can see all of those critters ( except the red-headed skink cuz we have blue-tailed skinks, which must be a cousin, here) right in my own yard.
We even get to watch bald eagles- adult and adolescent- flying among the hawks and peregrine falcons... especially when there are a lot of baby rabbits eating the clover I forgot to mow...
Enjoyed your Dismal Swamp trip immensely!

A Colorful World said...

I am so mad I cannot see your photos! I am having trouble with my computer and only a few of people's shots are uploading when I open their blog! I LOVE the Great Dismal Swamp and going to the Birding Festival would have been top on my list for this year had we stayed in Virginia. I posted photos of a tour we took of the swamp about four years ago. I can't believe you live close to Suffolk! The fence with the vine is on Main Street almost across the street from the church with the two towers. I can't remember the denomination. We went to First Baptist just a stone's throw away.

Email me and attach your Dismal Swamp shots! I'd love to see them! Hopefully this little PROBLEM will be worked out soon! :-(