Assateague and Chincoteague are barrier islands, separated from the low coast of the Delmarva Peninsula, and each other, by tidewater marshes. See "Assateague Lighthouse" on the home page for a distant picture of Assateague and one of the tidal marshes. These islands are part of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Assateague Island National Seashore.
We found this Brown Thrasher along a trail on Assateague after following the sound of its voice. Notice the well marked breast.
These Double-crested Cormorants were on one of the many ponds on Assateague. The Park Service regulates the depth of these ponds to provide optimum food resources for migrating birds, including these two. The one below is taking off from the water using the Cormorant's technique of "running on the water." They slap their flat feet against the surface of the water to support their weight until they gain sufficient speed to fly.
This Great Egret works to gain altitude over one of the Assateague ponds.
Great Egrets spend much of their time in shallow water but also hunt in the grasses of the many marshes on Assateague.
These are immature Little Blue Herons, working their way down the east coast on the fall migration. Breeding adults have slate blue bodies and dark legs. The immature have white feathers and greenish-yellow legs, making them look like another species.
