The Yellow Wood Sorrel is another wildflower that I had never seen before. It’s so much fun to learn the new wildflowers on Cape Cod. Most of them are so different from the ones from Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. I saw this one at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Yellow Wood Sorrel is a small 5-petaled 1/2″ flower with 3 heart-shaped leaflets, similar to a Clover. They are common on Cape Cod and native and bloom from May through August.
I loved the little bit or orange around the center. Pretty, don’t you think?
This Snowy Egret was wading at Goose Pond at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, looking for that perfect fish. I love his black legs and bright yellow feet.
The Snowy Egret is about 24″ tall and all white with a long neck and a slender bill. During courtship, they have long, lacy plumes on their back, chest and crown.
We were so lucky to see this Green Heron at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Sometimes they are pretty elusive. This Green Heron was fishing at the salt marsh where we watched him for a bit. And then he fly away!
As we hiked out to the beach, one of the naturalists had a spotting scope set up looking up high in a tree next to the trail. Up there was a Green Heron’s nest. It was quite large. I wonder if it was the one we saw by the salt marsh?
We were taking a hike along the Silver Spring Trail at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary when I saw this Eastern Ribbon snake on the side of the trail. I’m not sure who was more startled! But he stayed on the trail and just looked at me.
The Eastern Ribbon snake is a slender, blackish brown snake with 3 yellow stripes. It is found near water (Silver Spring) where it swims on the surface.
I’ve wanted to see a Ruddy Turnstone for years, but have not seen one in about 15 years. We hiked out to the beach at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary last week there were dozens of them scurrying about on the sand flats. What a treat!
I just love their coloring! Gorgeous bird, don’t you think?
Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.
