We looked out the window the other morning and had to laugh. There was a squirrel walking around on the ice that had formed on our birdbath, looking for a drink of water. Oh dear! We had put our birdbath heater away too soon!
We thought, perhaps, that spring was almost here and the nights would not freeze anymore, but we were sorely mistaken as you can see this squirrel skating on our birdbath!
I’ve seen many Common Eiders in this area on Cape Cod in the wintertime. This Common Eider was swimming about on Boat Meadow Creek by the bridge in Eastham. I’ve seen it several times and always alone. I wonder how long he will stay in the area…
Rock Harbor has two launch areas where you can put your boats in, one on the Orleans side and one on the Eastham side. This photograph is looking across the harbor from Orleans to the Harbor Master’s house and launch ramp in Eastham. Pretty soon the place will be busy!
One of tour favorite hikes is the one by the Visitors Center in Eastham called the Nauset Marsh Trail. We’ve always called it the Salt Pond Trail. It is such a pretty hike. (Click for more photos or a map at the end.)
The Nauset marsh Trail has so much diversity from hiking around the Salt Pond, over a bridge over the salt marsh where you can see many water birds feeding and through the woods to a gorgeous overlook of Nauset Marsh all the way out to Nauset Beach. From there you can hike back to the Visitors Center or continue out to Doane Rock and Coast Guard Beach.
It really is an awesome hike, any time of the day and any time of the year.
Bayview Trail at the Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary has several benches that beckon you as you hike by. The views are spectacular which ever way you look. A perfect place to sit, relax and enjoy nature on the trail.
I especially liked this bench on the trail which looks out over the salt marsh to Wellfleet Bay. So pretty, don’t you think?
Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.