Cromwell Valley Park

The Baltimore orioles were a little late in their arrival this year, but they are finally in Maryland and are busy building their hanging nests.

A female Baltimore oriole with nest material – Cromwell Valley Park on 7 May, 2015

 

A male Baltimore oriole at Cromwell Valley Park – May 7, 2015

Cromwell Valley Park near Towson, Maryland is prime nesting territory for orioles and many other summer visitors to Maryland.

Fellow blogger and photographer, Gillian Mastromatteo, has been noting the lulls and surges in the season migration on her blog, The Pathless Wood.

Gillian lives in Ottawa, Canada and I find it interesting that some of our winter visitors have headed her way in recent weeks.

A white-throated sparrow at Cromwell Valley Park, Maryland – January 27, 2015

The white-throated sparrows that are a common sight at Cromwell Valley Park during winter months have suddenly become scarce. They have headed north to sing their song that many a field guide describes as sounding like, “Oh sweet Canada!”

While those cheerful sounding little birds will be missed until their return, there are many new summer visitors at Cromwell Valley Park.

Orchard oriole at Cromwell Valley Park, Maryland – May 7, 2015

The orchard orioles arrived with the Baltimore orioles, and the tree swallows and barn swallows arrived in early April.

A red-tailed hawk with nest material over Cromwell Valley Park, Maryland – April 13, 2015

From April to May there is a lot of nest building going on from eastern bluebirds to red-tailed hawks gathering material.

Although there is usually abundant food for Maryland’s white-tailed deer population, our harsh winter was evident in these skinny deer sighted at Cromwell Valley in March and April

White-tailed deer at Cromwell Valley Park, Maryland – March 13, 2015

.Cromwell Valley is high on my list of locations to visit with a camera in Baltimore County for the abundance and diversity of wildlife.

The park is meticulously maintained and has several miles of trails that go from wooded areas into open fields and marshy areas.

Although the park does get a fair amount of visitors with dogs, most seem to observe the lease rule. Plus, the size of the park is large enough to get away from the majority of human visitors if you are in the mood to hike.

Weekdays are best for photography as there are less people in park and higher chances of sighting mammals from red foxes to white-tailed deer.

 

Hampton National Historic Site

Hampton National Historic Site, Maryland

One of Baltimore County’s best kept secrets is Hampton National Historic Site just north of Towson. The Hampton site is a 1790s mansion with grounds that encompass nearly 60 acres.

The most exciting animals you’ll encounter here are white-tailed deer and red foxes. The amount of woodland birds is rich and diverse, but the true draw to Hampton is that it is very peaceful with few visitors.

Many times I have been the only visitor on the grounds, and I have never had a shot spoiled by another visitor.

Park Ranger, Scott Sheads thinks that the low number of visitors might be attributed Hampton’s cryptic name. Whatever the reason for the low number of visitors, this location is a great place to go with your camera during the week, and even on the weekend.

Red-bellied woodpecker at Hampton National Historic Site, Maryland – April 18, 2015

 

Eastern bluebird at Hampton National Historic Site, Maryland – April 18, 2015

For photographers that have an eye for flora, the park has a number of unique and interesting trees, ornamental shrubbery and flowers.

There are some very old and gnarled catalpa trees behind the main house that have an interesting texture to photograph, and they are home to a healthy population of gray squirrels.

There is a giant saucer magnolia in the lower garden that is currently in full bloom and it makes for a spectacular shot.

Saucer magnolia at Hampton National Historic Site, Maryland – April 19, 2015

Weeping cherry tree at Hampton National Historic Site, Maryland – April 19, 2015

Gray squirrel in a catalpa tree at Hampton National Historic Site, Maryland – April 19, 2015

 

 

Cherry blossoms at Hampton National Historic Site, Maryland – April 19, 2015

Additionally, the architecture of the mansion and outbuildings can’t be dismissed as photography subjects. If you happen to be interested in learning about the history of the site, there is usually a friendly ranger around to answer your questions.

The stables at Hampton National Historic Site, Maryland – April 18, 2015

Farm house and servant quarters at Hampton National Historic Site, Maryland – April 18, 2015

 

The Hampton grounds are on an elevated plateau and photographs of the north horizon are possible.

Ranger Sheads explains that a heard of white-tailed deer usually starts filtering into the park around 5:00pm.  The also park closes to vehicle traffic at 5:00pm, but pedestrians are allowed to wander the grounds until sunset.

I’ll decline on giving a specific location to leave your vehicle off the grounds, but I will say that there are legal places to park within a 10 minute walk.

If you choose to visit the park at sunrise in hopes of catching a raccoon or a fox, you’ll have to park offsite and walk in as well, since the vehicle gates don’t open till 8:30am.

White-tailed deer – April 15, 2015