[va-richmond-general] Re: Swallows at Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park

Jan- The Ranger didn't say; she was in quite a rush trying to get a vanload of 
folks back to the visitor center and it was obvious it was an inopportune time 
to talk.  She literally was driving off as I was trying to pose my query.  By 
the time I dragged myself from the meadows I realized it was too late to get to 
the visitor center.  I was stunned to see the birds as I have been going there 
regularly, at least every few weeks, March-November (i.e., when there are 
services available on the Skyline Drive), since 2004 and never have seen this 
spectacle before.  I certainly will try to learn more if I'm able to return 
this weekend.  Also, there was still a bit of milkweed blooming in the thicket 
of trees about mid-way from the parking area to the woods with many exquisite 
tiger swallowtails (plus a few gold finches) enjoying same.  The birds and 
butterflies also were enjoying the thistle that is blooming now, as well.  In 
addition, a pewee perched atop a small, dead tree near the referenced thicket 
repeatedly took issue with (and took wing to) passing swallows.  Its pointed 
attacks did not at all complement the undulating flights of the swallows and 
seemed oddly out of place, as it were...  I'll keep you posted as I learn more 
about the swallows- 

Nancy  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Janice Frye 
  To: nancym.ambler@xxxxxxxxxxx ; va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 11:02 PM
  Subject: RE: [va-richmond-general] Swallows at Big Meadows, Shenandoah 
National Park


  Did she say whether they roost there every year?  Sounds beautiful!

   

  Jan  

   


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  From: va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
[mailto:va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Nancy Ambler
  Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 10:56 PM
  To: va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Subject: [va-richmond-general] Swallows at Big Meadows, Shenandoah National 
Park

   

  Late yesterday afternoon, 4:00-5:00 pm, I was privileged to see thousands of 
swallows (primarily and perhaps totally barn, and I could not estimate more 
precisely their numbers) throughout the entire meadows at Big Meadows in 
Shenandoah National Park (about 2 hours, 15 minutes from Richmond).  I asked a 
Ranger about the situation and she advised they are forming for migration and 
will be gone by the end of August.  To be amidst these graceful, beautiful 
birds -- swirling, swooping, diving, circling, at once purposeful but 
simultaneously almost with a sense of carefree abandon -- was a totally 
unexpected time of grace.

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