National Wildlife Refuge

Yesterday, it was unseasonably warm in Rhode Island, so I packed up Elsie and headed for the Sachuest Point NWR in Middletown, RI. I don't know what I was expecting to see really, but I thought it was a good excuse to get out. Here are some images from the day:

 

Fence leading to the refuge. In the background is Sachuest Beach (aka "Second Beach"), Middletown, RI. So crowded in summer we've waited for a parking spot in line for hours. But today it was all mine.

  

Weird little spiny pinecones.

  

Berries everywhere.

  

I wish I could have shot this tree from the other side so I could get the color, but I love the sun flare and the silhouette.

  

This is the refuge part of the preserve, where humans are not allowed! It looks like a prairie.

Then, I headed back to Easton's Beach (aka "First Beach") in Newport, which is adjacent to the famous cliff walk. It was completely littered with quahog shells! I guess they just rake them in the summer, because otherwise no one would be able to lay down their towel. 

These two doggies carried a frisbee between their mouths for about a half an hour. Neither would let go. Seriously! It was adorable.

Father and son walking on the beach.

I can't wait to go back to the refuge in the spring....I know they have tons of birds there that are not seen in other parts of the state.