Browsing through Cranberry Glades

Our walk on the boards through the largest bog in West Virginia was simply perfect in the warm sunshine. Around every bend were unique and exotic plants or birds.

When it was time to listen and learn, I couldn’t concentrate, really, as my eyes and camera lens were focused on an array of eye candy I found below or in back of me – slowly turning around to capture it all, like an enchanted pre-school child.

Every color,

every shape,

in a bog so moist and lush I could smell the life it held. I wanted to wear waders, lift leaves and rocks, and splash around a little.

Ovenbird Belly.

Through dimming shade into bright sunlight our trail took us to birds,

which here may be a Northern Parula.

Still, my thirty-eight life birds are confusing me

and I don’t remember the difference between a yellow-breasted blue-eyed vireo or a yellow-headed gray-winged warbler. Thirty-eight species is a lot to digest in a week. I’m still laughing!

Spying on vireos and warblers with binoculars was a thrill, especially on this day when we saw a Blackburnian Warbler in perfect light. My neck ached after that viewing but the bird is so striking I followed it for several minutes. Taking a photo wasn’t so easy because warblers aren’t easy. Period.

A Black-capped Chickadee (lifer) humored me that day and rested right before my eyes.


Some of my most breathtaking views of the week were at this bog.

Near the end of the boardwalk we walked alone or in unorganized groups, into the wide openness.

For an instant, I remember being stunned by the silence,

gasping



at the vastness,

and beauty of it all.

Have you ever felt so small?