Decided to take a drive to Westmoreland State Park area today by way of
Lake Anna from Charlottesville. Beautiful sunny day with temps in low
60's. Great day to be outdoors. Unfortunately, all goods things must come
to an end. On return trip by way of Rt. 360 to I-295 near Richmond large
dark cloud loomed to the west towards Charlottesville. Several distant
flashes of lightning confirmed an approaching storm(s). First storm I ran
into was just on western boundary of Richmond. Little rain and some
distant lightning. But further to west there appeared to one doozy of an
approaching storm. By 7:10 p.m. a few miles east of Rt. 15 on I-64 I ran
head on into a second storm that packed very high winds and lightning bolts
so close I was almost blinded several times by bright flashes of white and
blue! High winds with very strong gusts made it very difficult to hold
van on the road; several times I thought it was going to flip. Debris
flying and horizontal sheets of rain. It was two hands and firm grip on
stirring wheel and white knuckles for miles. Everyone, and I mean everyone
in the westbound lane dropped speed to 60 or below not because of rain but
because of wind. Crossing over bridges drivers gave wide clearance and
moved toward center line. Scary stuff!!!! By time I safely reached
Charlottesville, temperature had plummeted to 38.
First official "trip" bird was a perched Long-eared Owl located off I-64
between Rt. 15 exit and next exit early this morning.
A single Tree Swallow crossed directly in front of van over Rt. 614 at Lake
Anna. No other swallows observed in or around the area.
Several other highlights, including the basking turtles and singing
choruses of frogs:
Osprey - only 1 for the day, at Rt. 301 over sandy beach (VA side)
Green Heron - George Washington's Birth Place - flushed from lower bank at
back picnic area overlooking cove and Potomac River
Tundra Swan - 500+ (what a sight and sound with all those Tundra in same
area of Green Heron at George's place)
At Westmoreland State Park I was surprised at amount of storm damage from
Isabel. Many, many trees lost.
Scaup - tens of thousands! What an incredible sight from two different
areas along the Potomac. Most appeared to be Lesser with only handful of
Surf Scoter and a single White-winged. Massive numbers!
Ruddy Duck - very impressive with several thousand noted from Westmoreland
SP overlook
Pine Warbler (2) - one individual singing out in the open!
Palm Warbler - 5
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
"Leave behind what you find. If you must take something, take pictures."
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