It is Mother’s Day and we are out for a swamp walk. Conservation areas and refuges dot a long, wet section of the Hudson Valley and provide perfect habitat for all sorts of birds. Cool air and a warm sun make for perfect trekking weather. We find a short meadow trail with nearly no foot traffic and a nice smattering of birds. The day is young so we try two other wooded areas but parking lots are full and there is way too much foot traffic. We are still supposed to be social distancing after all. We head back home with the plan to try the other trails on a weekday hoping to have a little more peaceful stroll.
The Day includes calls from both boys and breakfast by Kent. Actually, breakfast and dinner by Kent. We discover a local Greek place and check out the menu. We know exactly what we want. It is to be carry out of course. Except, they are closed! Kent gets roped into another meal.
It is a birder thing
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It is to be some 25 degrees below average the next few days and nights. Add to that high winds and some snow. Looks like we won’t be getting out on any more trails for a few days. We might not even get out of the house!
The view from the cliffs above Canopus Lake is great just as promised as are long views up the
valley from the ridge. Rocky seeps and springs are lined with moss and bright yellow buttercups mark early signs of spring. The last section is a little too close to the Taconic and traffic noise a bit of a distraction but I definitely recommend this walk in the Spring.
The walk starts creek side, climbs to the top of the ridge, runs the ridge, then descends to return along another babbling brook. It feels great to get out. Birds must think so too as we see lots of warblers and forest ground birds. There are great views from the ridgeline and the streams bounce down moss covered rock. There are even sections along the way where we completely escape traffic noise and find ourselves wrapped in silence. Awesome! This is classic east coast mountain terrain; rock strewn treed ridges and cuts. The canopy and forest floor are just washed with the green of spring and dotted with wild flowers. 5 ½ miles and 940 feet change in elevation, it is a perfect walk. We might just do it again.
It is a hit. Willa is back with Mom and Dad in time for Grammy time. We are already looking forward to our next get together.
. I have had a bit of time on my hands and rules/recommendations seem to be changing all the time. Now we have some for everyone if masks turn out to be required or just prudent. What a weird thing to be thinking.