2018 03-31 Delaware Seashore State Park, 04-03 Assategue Island National Seashore, 04-06 Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Delaware Seashore State Park - March 31, 2018

Our windswept campsite between Atlantic on the other side of the bridge and the south side of the estuary on the Indian River. The area has many nest platforms for dozens of osprey pairs. 

On one side of the State Park is the bay and on the other is the North Atlantic Ocean which is a great place for a long walk with the dogs. 

Assateague (pronounced here as asa-teak) Island National Seashore - April 3, 2018

First stop was a good breakfast at the popular Breakfast Cafe, where locals eat,  which was on our way to the island. Of course it's popularity is generally during the tourist season which it clearly is not now. There was only one guy there and us. But the breakfast was good and the service was too.  

Before heading over the bridge to the Island we stopped at the Visitor's Center to watch the introduction film about the island and its most popular attraction - the horses. As we drove over the bridge onto the island there was a small band of horses standing about 50 yards from the road. Sadly, there was no place to pull over for a photo or even slow down. There are several pullouts for walking out towards the bay. Not quite the season for much to be happening so we decided to take the dogs for a walk on the beach. 

As we walked onto the beach from the parking lot six of these gorgeous creatures came running up the beach towards us. Thundering through the sands, manes and tails flying in the wind, they ran straight towards all the people and circled around one group. They slowed as they passed and jumped the dune fence heading for the parking lot.  

These horses have shorter legs and stockier bodies than regular horses. There are approximately 80-100 animals on this side of the island (Maryland). The Virginia side has about 150 on their side in Chincoteague Island. Virginia has the roundup each year in July and auctions off the foals to keep the herd size down. Assateague uses reproductive contraception and limits each mare to one foal during her fourth year. 

The band continued through the parking lot and into the brush. We continued to walk down the beach.

As we started back, we noticed this beautiful bachelor wandering the dunes. 

And then his buddy showed up. Bachelors are driven out of their band by the stallion as they become mature. Female foals tend to just wander away from their birth bands and join a bachelor to begin a new band.

As we were driving out, we stopped in a pullout and found more horses. A male and female just standing off the side of the road.

They appeared to be trying to get some nap time. There are signs everywhere, including in the bathrooms, to stay at least 40 feet or one bus length away from them. Two women with four kids approached close enough to touch them. They were very fortunate since every year there are several people bitten or kicked.

A nice walk along a raised platform and we found a horned grebe investigating the banks below us. It's hard to see but he has red eyes. In the breeding season, the beige "horn" behind the eye will be bright yellow.

Dover, Delaware - April 6, 2018

North of Dover Air Force Base, in Smyrna, is the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. We were hoping to find some interesting wildlife. 

Snow geese are still making their way north and are quite a sight when hundreds are circling for a landing. 

Coming in for a landing.

This is one of two Mute Swans we encountered on our drive. 

Many white egrets with the remarkable name of Little Egret. 

As with our campsite, there were dozens of osprey. This one decide to fly right over us. 

Hunting (or egotistical to the max)

Northern shovellers really took over many of the shallows.

While we were on a lookout tower, a local told us to be watchful for a fox with her two kits near the corn crib. This adorable little one was outside a den. 

Kept close to the opening but seemed very comfortable to be alone. 

Dakota was very curious (the fox is just to the right of her ear) and would like to have the opportunity to play. 

On our way home, we stopped in Rehoboth Beach for dinner at THE Henlopen City Oyster House. Dinner included Oysters, Caesar salad, macaroni and cheese and a seriously overstuffed lobster roll.