As we were hiking at Wiley Pond which abuts Great Pond, I saw a bird in the water out of the corner of my eye. I ran to the closest beachy area where I could see what was out there and there was this gorgeous Common Loon swimming around. He was just beautiful.
He spread his wings out on the water so I could get a better photograph and then swam about.
Have you ever seen a Common Loon? Exquisite patterns on his body!
I was so surprised to see all of the destruction from the storm with high winds at Wiley Park. There were so many trees that had come down, either broken off half way up or totally uprooted and on its side. It was unbelievable.
These are just 2 of the many devastated trees along one of the trails, one broken off half way down and the other leaning over the trail. The numbers of trees that have been destroyed this past winter is just unbelievable. We have never seen anything like it!
We woke up yesterday to a few flurries in the morning which soon turned into a real snowstorm. By lunchtime we had about 3″ of fluffy, white snow. The temps were in the mid 20s and much colder than the past few weeks.
We decided to take a ride around to see if there were any good “photo ops” and found the perfect one at Wiley Park. There is an elf or several elves who put out holiday decorations along the trail at the park. It is really quite endearing. Here and there you might see a little santa or a little snowman or this little guy smiling at you along the trail. What a wonderful idea for this time of year.
I remember last year someone brought a few ornaments and put them on one of the little trees by the trail, and little by little other people brought an ornament or two and pretty soon the tree was all decked out in holiday festivity. But that tree was cut down last summer so this must be their new idea and what a great one! It brings a smile to you face all along the trail!
The Canada Mayflowers are blooming on the sides of the trails at Wiley Park in Eastham on Cape Cod.
They are a small woodland plant with tiny 4-petaled white flowers clustered on stems like miniature bottle brushes. They are often form large colonies. The flowers are under 1/4″ and grow to only 3-6″ in May and June.
So tiny and delicate… Have you ever seen a Canada Mayflower?
The little white Starflowers are so pretty at Wiley Parkin Eastham on Cape Cod. You can see them on the side of the trail, usually under a pine tree in the shade.
They are delicate little flowers ( 1/2 to 3/4″) which grow with one or two flowers on the stem. Each flower has 5-9 pointed petals and 7 long yellow stamens.
They bloom in May and June so you can still get out and see them. Have you ever seen a Starflower?
I’ve been looking for a good photograph of a Red-Breasted Merganser all winter here on Cape Cod. And then yesterday when I was hiking at Wiley Park I saw something swimming in the kettle pond near the shore. I quickly got my camera out and got ready. I quietly walked down the little trail to the shore and stood behind a tree. As soon as I saw him get closer, I clicked away. And, as soon as he heard the click, he flew away!
But I think I got a pretty good photograph. What do you think?
Phil and I always said that this diving duck was having a “bad hair day!” Cute little guy, don’t you think?
