It was pretty cool to see this Semipalmated Plover at Rock Harbor the other day. It was the first one I’ve seen this summer. It was wading in the water back by the boats on the Eastham side of the harbor.
The Semipalmated Plover has a black face, a black collar and orange legs and feet. I love the black-tipped orange bill. According to the Range Map, they spend their winters down south and summers in the Arctic. Maybe he is just passing through on his way up north?
It’s another spectacular year for the Lupine at Fort Hill. They are just beautiful! If you’re in the area, it’s worth the visit! They are in full bloom right now… so don’t wait too long!
The benches are still empty but the weather is getting warmer and it’s almost time for summer on Cape Cod! I took this early morning photograph at Boat Meadow beach on Cape Cod Bay. Pretty soon someone will be enjoying that gorgeous view from those benches.
These pink Lady Slippers were blooming on the side of the road and were so pretty. I love the shape of their flower…. like a little slipper.
Lady Slippers have a pink pouch and 4 reddish brown twisted petals atop a single stalk. The flowers that are 1 and 1/2′ to 2 and 1/2″ and bloom in May and June in the woodlands.
“Some species of lady slipper are listed as endangered or threatened in New England. Others, like the common Pink Lady’s Slipper, are listed as “special concern” under the Native Plant Protection Act.”
I had just photographed a Piping Plover wading in the water at Rock Harbor when I saw this other bird nearby. At first, I thought it was another Willet, as they have been very abundant everywhere this summer.
It wasn’t until I got home and was looking on the computer when Phil said, “Look at those yellow legs!” Hmmmm. I quickly looked up on my iBird Pro if Willets have yellow legs. No, they don’t. And there on the iBird Willet page, it described the Greater Yellowlegs as similar but “smaller and slimmer with a more slender bill and yellow legs, and lacking the black and white wing pattern.”
Thank you, IBird Pro for making it so easy to research the Greater Yellowlegs. Beautiful 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.
