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I normally don’t hike places back to back.  But after last weeks hike with Nancy to Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge I thought I would hike it again and spend a little more time here.  So I grabbed a cigar and my camera and set out for my hike.  Again the lot was pretty empty.  This time around the weather was back to an average 40 degree for February.

I wanted to do a little exploring so I started by hiking the back trails first, eventually working my way to the new observation building.  I could see on the map that at the furthest point south there was another “observation deck” and wanted to see what it had to offer.  According to the map it over looked another portion of the marsh with more of an cove.  When I got there I was a little disappointed by what I found, it was not an observation deck at all.  Mearly a bench that over looked the marsh, not even a good section of the marsh.

With a little exploring I found the trail continued on into the marsh.  This portion of the trail has long sense been abandoned, but the foot path makes it obvious it once went this way.  This section takes you right up to the edge of the marsh, much better view than the bench provided.  From this spot you were eye level and I got some really good shots from here.  At one time it looks like the trail might have crossed over the marsh to the other bank.

an over cast day at the marsh

I have a feeling that when the Bald Eagles numbers started to recover they closed off portions of the park to protect their habitat.  Part of the loop is actually cut off because of nesting Bald Eagles, glad to know they take this stuff seriously.  I love that I can visit this park and walk around, but I wouldn’t want to “kick out” nature for my personal enjoyment.  Closing off sections of the park is acceptable to me if I know the Bald Eagle has a better chance of recovery.

Back to my hike.  After getting some good shots at the bottom of the loop I headed north to the observation building.  I wanted to hang out here with my camera for a while and just relax.  Since the park was empty I also wanted to relax with a fine cigar and just enjoy nature, take in the beauty and sounds of the wildlife refuge.  I spent over an hour at the new observation building taking photos, chilling, and smoking my cigar.  I even ate lunch while I was there.

After a lot of time in the wildlife refuge it was time to head back to my truck.  It was a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.  I didn’t really get much done, but I felt good doing it!

incoming Snow Geese

a view of the marsh

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Had perfect weather over the weekend so of course that means hiking!  In the middle of February we had 60 degree highs on Sunday so Nancy and I went to Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge for a quick hike.  I have been to Mason Neck once before to hike the State Park, but not the wildlife refuge.

We got a late start on Sunday so I was afraid the tiny parking lot would be filled, on such a nice day there were only 5 other cars in the lot.  We started down the Great Marsh loop trail headed towards the observation building.  The trail was muddy as hell, even though it had not rained for about a week, but that’s what hiking boots are for.

When we made it to the observation building that over looks the great marsh it was a great surprise.  This was a brand new building, so new you could still see wood dust from all the boards used to make it.  A covered building about 10′ square, it has a great view of the Great Marsh.  The building has some benches so it’s a great way to spend a little time with nature without roughing it to much.  On this day the water level was pretty low with not much activity.  All that was in the marsh were a few Canadian Snow Geese, just hanging out, sleeping in the mud.

After some time spent at the observation building we walked further down the trail making a big loop back to the parking lot.  There is not much variety in the refuge, but as a short easy hike near my house it is a winner.  I would love to see this place during migratory season.  I can only imagine how many bird species would amass in the marsh at that time.  I would also love to come back for a cigar and a little solitude.

duck blind in Belmont Bay

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With the new year I decided to check out a new place to hike, someplace local.  There is this peninsula jetting out to the Potomac River in southeast Fairfax Country.  This little peninsula is a wealth of wilderness in an otherwise densely populated county.  On this little piece of land, about 8,000 acres, 5,000+ of those acres are for parks and wildlife refuge: Mason Neck State Park, Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge, Gunston Hall, and Pohick Bay Regional Park.  There are probably others, these are just the ones I know of.

Surprisingly enough, I have never been to any of these parks after living in the area for 30 years.  So I decided to start with the Mason Neck State Park.  From some quick research online it is a good place to see bald eagles.  However, I could not have picked a worse day or season for my first bald eagle hike.  The weather turned out to be below freezing, windy, and over cast all morning into the afternoon.  I later found a guide to bald eagle activities in the park and during Jan/Feb the resident birds are rebuilding their nests, so not a lot of activity.  I will have to return in spring and summer when nature comes alive in the park.

small bird

On this day I hiked the Bay View Trail and Eagle Spur Trail.  When I spoke to the nice young lady at the park entrance she said the Bay View was the best trail if I wanted to see the bald eagles.  I didn’t see any on my hike, I couldn’t even find a nest in a tree.  I have a feeling the weather played a part in me not spotting any bald eagles.  I also think most of the bald eagles are deeper in the forest and wildlife refuge.  If I was a bald eagle that is where I would be, furthest away from noisy people.  But I look forward to trying again when the weather warms up.

The Bay View Trail was a nice mile long circuit hike.  It takes you along the coast line, over a couple marshes and through the hardwood forest.  Farthest away on the trail is a small bird blind that over looks a big marsh and pond area.  I would imagine that when migratory birds are passing through this area comes alive with activity.  But today it was not much, mostly small birds that stick around for the winter.  I couldn’t even enjoy the peace and quite walking through the woods.  The constant and sometimes gusting wind made all sorts of noise through the trees.

full of holes

Being a little disappointed with the Bay View Trail and plenty of daylight left I hiked a second trail, Eagle Spur.  This is a 1.25 mile out and back trail right in the middle of the woods.  When you reach the end there is another blind that over looks a bigger pond.  Here I was able to see about two dozen ducks swimming around looking for food.  Being the adventurous type I hike off the trail into the marsh land.  Here flying high above me I think I spotted my first bald eagle.  Standing on a log looking straight up proved difficult in getting a good look, or a good pictures.  Even with my 300mm lens I could barely see anything, let alone have enough time to focus properly and get a good shot.  But if asked, I will say I did see a bald eagle that day.

One word of caution about this trail, it is not clearly marked.  The markers are silver and don’t provide a good contrast to the drab forest background in winter.  They are also spaced far apart and don’t provide any indication when the trail turns back on itself.  With all the leaves on the ground I couldn’t just follow the worn foot pathl, so the markers were that much more important.  Sometimes the only indication of a trail I could find were small foot bridges in low valleys.  Fortunately with my ninja like skills I found the blind at the end of the trail and the road on my way back to my truck.

bald eagle...I think

My first impression is I like the park.  It is close to my house and provides several miles of hiking trails with great scenery of Belmont Bay and the natural forest available in Norther Virginia.  There is plenty of benches and grills for summer bbq along with a good sized play area for the kids.  Next time I will plan a better time of year to hike around to get a better look at the bald eagles that inhabit this small parcel of land so close to my house.