A Visit to the Seventh District and Beyond

Last week's trip was to wander around and go for a walk in the Seventh District in St. Mary's County.  We made some stops to photograph some interesting barns, Christ Episcopal Church in Chaptico, the Bushwood Wharf Park and Ocean Hall, and the Nice Bridge to Virginia.

Ocean Hall , Bushwood

                     Bushwood Wharf Pier

Red winged blackbird, Bushwood 

             Christ Episcopal Church, Chaptico

              Visitor to the church steeple

Jim wanted to visit Dahlgren wayside park with a small beach.  It was closed due to bridge construction at the Nice bridge to Virginia

These ancient visitors could be seen in Dahlgren, VA by the highway

North Beach Boardwalk June 13, 2022

We chose to go to North Beach boardwalk last week after getting tick bites in the last two weeks.  The temperature was warming up, and I tried to pick a cooler day in the week.  The trip turned into a disaster for our little poodle who fell off a bench and had a seizure, but the boardwalk itself was enjoyable.  The Sunrise Garden was very pretty this time of year, with water lilies, koi, and hibiscus.  The beach was very expensive, requiring a beach tag, but the boardwalk was free and leashed dogs were allowed.  This time of year we were able to park in a handicapped spot during the week, but I expect that will be more difficult during the summer months.

Mermaid sculpture at Sunrise Gardens

pink waterlily

hibiscus

Cecil the Lion sculpture

Happy Juneteenth 2022

Last year I visited several places that honored the difficulties faced by slaves in St. Mary's County., MD.  I think these images commemorate the emancipation of slaves (or the hardship of slaves), when slaves were declared free in 1865.  It is a certainly past time for African Americans to be treated with the respect they deserve.   

Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland at St. Mary's College of Maryland

https://www.smcm.edu/honoring-enslaved/about-commemorative/

Slave cabin at Sotterley Plantation

Flag Ponds Nature Park June 7, 2022

We visited Flag Ponds starting at the handicapped parking area.  There is about a half mile entrance walk on a hill which would have been difficult for us.  The park charges a day use fee, $8 for non-Calvert residents or $5 for residents.  We walked out to the beach and pond area.  It was lovely, with beach grass, a view of the cliffs in the distance and a fairly quiet beach in early June.  There was a boardwalk and trail that also had a short walk to an observation pier (which we didn't take).  There were a few people on the beach and a lot of wind.  We didn't find a bench, so we ate lunch in the car, bug free.  I also took a walk to Duncan's Pond  as far as the bird blind, and Fisherman's trail to another marshy pond.  The Duncan's Pond trail had 6 inch grass, which was unfortunately tick heaven.  I quickly spotted a raccoon, later followed by 3 or 4 osprey at a distance and 3 deer in the woods.  I made out the spots on a fawn as they rushed away, even though I was fairly quiet.  I also saw 2 small lizards, geckos or skinks run under the boardwalk.  Both had red stripes down the sides, but I couldn't identify the blur as they slipped by.  The trail was quite muddy.  Fisherman's trail went to a brown marsh probably with cedar trees since there were some tree's knees, where I didn't see any animals.

Near the beach

Ponds

We enjoyed seeing this wind brushed driftwood.

The cliffs

I didn't expect to see a raccoon.  The raccoon probably thought the same.

Osprey

Cabin at Fisherman's trailhead

Fisherman's pond

Tilghman Lake Park June 3, 2022

Our latest adventure was to Tilghman Lake Park in La Plata,MD.  This park was well planned, with a trail that connected to Laurel Springs Regional park and an exercise course with photo suggestions around the lake.  The lake trail was easy for me with some great spots to picnic and fish. Apparently, the lake was stocked with small fish for catch and release.  I ended up walking further than I needed to because I almost found the entrance to the trail and turned around to go the other way.  I saw several pretty butterflies, including a mourning cloak and painted lady butterflies.

Mourning cloak butterfly

Kousa weeping dogwood

Painted lady butterfly

These people looked like they were having fun, so when they spotted me with a camera they created a joyful pose.

Michigan Beach Photo is now for sale at Fine Art America

 

While camping nearby, I planned to photograph this beach at sunset.  At the last minute, I decided not to go since we were enjoying dinner with some new friends.  The lady reminded me that it was time to leave and encouraged me to visit the beach.  So I arrived with barely enough time to spare and photographed this lovely reflection.  I was very glad that I visited the beach.

Now available on my new Fine Art America site as a canvas, metal, acrylic or wood print, mug, pillow, greeting card, etc.  It is similar to the photo below with a little extra dune on the right.

Tau Herculids Meteor Shower May 31, 2022

I stayed up to look for a few meteors.   The night was quite pleasant with a soft breeze in St. Mary's County.   Having no idea where to point my wide angle lens, I was taking a photo when I noticed a bright meteor a little more over to my left.  It wasn't in the frame, unfortunately.  Fortunately, it was close to the Milky Way, and that would make a nice photo.  So, I moved the camera over and took some more photos.  I didn't see any more, although I thought I saw some out of my peripheral vision.  After looking at the back of my camera today, I could barely make out a small meteor just above the trees to the left of center in one photo.  I don't do much night photography, so I don't own a good wide bright lens for thousands of dollars, so I just tried it out with what I have and the stars blurred a little.

For photo geeks here were my settings ISO 2000 21 mm f/6.3 30 seconds