A final set of photos from Wednesday’s walk at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
A rich variety of wildlife makes every visit a fascinating new adventure.
(The ducks pictured above are a new species for me, and I would love a little help identifying them. Are they Gadwalls?)
As much as I enjoyed taking these photos, I regret that I missed the deer.
And I’m aching to know who left the following tracks on a patch of sand near the trail.
There were two sets of tracks, side-by-side, moving in the same direction. The footprints were slightly smudged, but the tail-drag marks were clear enough. What do you think? Did I miss otters? Or are the tracks more lizard-like?
I can’t resist a mystery, and I would love to add deer photos to the archive. I’m already planning my next walk…
Rae Spencer 
They look like Gadwalls, but the angle isn’t the greatest. Look for the white wing patches…they are unique among our dabbling ducks (mallards have blue wing patches).
I can’t help you with tracks….but that is some trail drag!
Thanks for the hint about wing patches. The unknown ducks swam away at an impressive pace, so I didn’t get a very good look at them, or a very good photo. 😦 Maybe next time I’ll have better luck!
I’m so glad I can experience nature vicariously through photographers like you! I miss walks like this. (I’m gonna guess beaver tracks in the last photo.)
I hadn’t considered beaver. Now I need to find some photos of beaver tracks, for comparison…
How BIG is that turtle?
Neither turtle was as big as the photos make them seem, but they were big enough to explain why the ducks were avoiding their ponds. My toes ache just thinking about it!