Friday, May 25, 2018

New England into the Maritimes



We knew we were finally "north" when we encountered Black-capped Chickadees.  We drove through central New York into Vermont enjoying the Green Mountains and the many waterfalls.
White-throated Sparrow

Hobblebush

Abundance of Beaver Dams

Moss Glen Falls in Vermont

Cascades in Warren, VT

Common Yellowthroat

Blackburnian Warbler

Marsh Marigolds - Cowslips



Next, we crossed a narrow part of New Hampshire and central Maine to the coast.  We stayed at the city campground in Jonesport where we camped years ago.
Black Guillemot in Jonesport Harbor

View from our RV at Jonesport

Yellow Warbler

Frosty Fern Fiddleheads

Snowshoe Hare has an itch


What are you doing on my road?

Time to go!

Black-throated Green Warbler

St. Martin, New Brunswick

Red-throated Loon at Sunrise


We crossed into Canada and stayed at Century Farm Campground on the coast of New Brunswick by "The Caves".
Northern Parula Warbler

Bluets

Bay of Fundy sea caves

Bald Eagle lands nearby

Canada Goose family actually in Canada

Dark-eyed Junco

Junco clutch in ground nest

American Redstart

Ring-necked Duck pair



We had a bit of a rainy day, so drove into Nova Scotia. The next day we drove to Cape Breton Island, following the coast north.  We knew we were north for sure when we found this Iceland Gull.
Great Black-backed Gulls on nest

A surprise find - an American Brant amid all the Great Black-backed Gull nests

The next few days we will explore Cape Breton National Park before heading on the ferry to Newfoundland.

We know it's early Spring (high temps 43 degrees) here because the Yellow-rumped Warblers have just arrived.  We passed up migration, time to slow down and enjoy the beautiful coastline and forests of this beautiful area.

Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann


Thursday, May 17, 2018

Appalachian Mountains

Mississippi Kite grasps insect prey


Moving north through Alabama, we knew there wasn't much time to see the Mississippi Kite that we desired to find.  Driving through Uriah, we saw 13 birds hawking for insects above the road.  We were able to find a place to safely pull off and get some photos.  Success!!

We then drove through a corner of Georgia into North Carolina to pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We stayed at Moonshine Creek Campground before starting our adventure.  This campground is beautiful and full of birds flowers and many critters worth a photo.
Moonshine Creek Campground near the Great Smoky NP

Mockernut Hickory blossom 

Water Strider - walks on water surface

Bull Frog Tadpole - 3 inches long

Sphinx Moth

Dobsonfly

White Dogwood

Eastern Newt adult - aquatic dwelling

Red Trillium

Carpenter Moths - smaller darker male

Blue-headed Vireo on nest

Dusky Salamander


Rhododendron in bloom


The Blue Ridge Parkway is wonderful, a slow ride through the Appalachian Mountains, none stop,  with lots of great things to see along the way.
Carolina Chickadee

Pisgah National Forest

Painted Trillium

Slimy Salamander

Snail at Linville Falls

Ruffed Grouse runs in front of us


Cucumber Tree


We stayed at one of the National campgrounds near Linville Falls,  a quiet, break along the way.

The next night we spent just across the Virginia border at Meadow of Dan.  Very quiet here as we were the only campers in the park.
Honey Bee swarm at Meadows of Dan


Miami Mist


For the next 6 days we visited friends, Art & Betsy Cavanaugh near Lynchburg, VA.  An enjoyable time, and Ty was able to help with some Spring planting and yard work.
Eyed Click Beetle

Wood Duck hen with ducklings

Rhododendron 

Five inch long Millipede

Ground Beetle

Baltimore Oriole at Paradise Lake


Before rejoining the Blue Ridge Parkway north to the Shenandoah National Park, we stopped at Paradise Lake Campground to take care of RV duties that are necessary to do.  Then some stocking up of food and fuel before heading out.
Tufted Titmouse checks out the camera

American Redstart

Pink Azalea - Rhododendron 

Black & White Warbler

Eastern Newt - Red Eft  terrestrial dwelling

Red/Purple Trillium

Black Bear at Shenandoah National Park



As we head north, we are experiencing Spring all over again, each leg of the journey.  Always looking for evidence of God's Creation at every turn, as we head through Pennslyvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and into Canada.

We are blessed to be starting our eighth year on the road.
Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann