When we used to hike Beech Forest Trail about 15-20 years ago, people would bring seed to feed the birds. They became friendly and would land on your hand anytime looking for food. The last time we hiked there, feeding the birds and wildlife was illegal as they realized the birds and animals would get dependent on the food and not fend for themselves in the winter.
We haven’t hiked there in about 15 years, so it was such a treat to walk the trail again. I put my hand out for old time’s sake (I did not have any food) and a little Black-capped Chickadee landed on my finger. Phil happened to have his camera ready.
We could see a lot of birds out in the water at Coast Guard Beach, but it wasn’t until we got home and saw them on the computer that we realized they were White-winged Scoters. What a treat!
White-winged Scoters have a black body with a white eye patch and a white patch on the underside of its wings that you can see better when it flies. They can be seen on Cape Cod and along the eastern coast during the winter. This is the first “winter” seabird that we’ve seen this season.
There are still a few wildflowers blooming on the trails on Cape Cod. I saw this delicate pink wildflower while hiking on the Bayview Trail at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
I’ve looked and looked in my books and on the internet but can’t seem to identify it. Does anyone know what kind of wildflower this is?
So pretty and delicate, 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.
