Mason Neck, VA (USA)

I spent the day relaxing at my apartment with Mollie. After she left, I picked up my drycleaning (1715) and then headed over to Mason Neck for a walk in the Wildlife Refuge. There were some cars in the parking lot but I never saw any people during the nearly two hours I spent walking the trails. What I did get to see, though, was lots of wildlife. Two bald eagles left a tree above me when I walked by, making a loud noise - it was so great (and unexpected) to see them up close. Later, I watched thousands of birds flying over the marsh in huge flocks, making so much noise and barely settling in the trees or water. A grey heron flew through the wild crowd and settled on a tree across the water from me. Later, I startled two white tailed deer on the trail and they ran away with a loud noise. But I encountered them again later (with the same result). When I finished walking (probably around three miles total), it was nearly dark. On the way home, I figured out that there is a new parking lot for another wildlife area with two miles of mountain bike trails - will have to check that out! I love having this remote area near the house. I watched football with Bob and his mom later in the evening.