Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrels During My Visit to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Dorchester County - near Cambridge, Maryland) - October 10th, 2019

            Was it worth driving nearly two hours each way from Baltimore to see these little ones - ABSOLUTELY!  Here are pictures of  Delmarva peninsula fox squirrels I saw on the trails near Wildlife Drive.  I was very excited to see these squirrels for the first time on the Marsh Edge Trail and the Woods Trail along Wildlife Drive.  They were tricky to photograph - as they were constantly moving and deep in the brush on the bottom of these wooded areas.  So I did each trail at least three times to make sure that I got to see as many as I did.  I ended up tossing nearly 2/3 of the pictures because they were not good.  The squirrels are fantastic and I am so glad that I made the trip.  Here is the description from the USFWS: "The Delmarva peninsula fox squirrel (DFS) is a large tree squirrel that lives in mature hardwood and pine forests throughout the Delmarva peninsula. Though recently removed from the endangered species list, this squirrel is still a rarity on the eastern shore, with Blackwater refuge hosting the largest natural population. Forest management programs at Blackwater are oriented toward perpetuation of this mammal, and the refuge’s ultimate DFS goal is to have its populations sufficiently abundant and well distributed to withstand foreseeable threats. Visitors wishing to catch a glimpse of this steel-gray squirrel are advised to look carefully in the woods bordering the Wildlife Drive, as well as the Key Wallace Trail and Tubman Road Trail, where it can often be seen foraging for food on the ground."  Amazing visit to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge, Maryland on the Eastern Shore of that state in the Delmarva Peninsula.  It is part of the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. From their site: "With over 20,000 acres open for public recreation, you can experience the refuge year round in a variety of ways!  From 5 miles of hiking to 17 miles of paddling, we have a variety of experiences.  Nearly 15,000 acres are open for deer hunting from September through January.  If you prefer to travel by car, we have 3.6 mile wildlife drive popular with photographers and birders alike."  This is my first visit to this wonderful refuge - and hopefully not the last.  Taken on Thursday October 10th, 2019.  

   

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Taken in: United States / Maryland / Seward (show map)

Taken on: October 10, 2019

Tags:

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

USFWS Northeast

Department of the Interior

Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Federal Lands

Maryland

Maryland's Eastern Shore

Cambridge

Dorchester County

Baltimore2019

Wildlife Refuge

Trees

Trails

Hiking

Woods

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Blackwater Marsh Edge Trail

Blackwater Woods Trail

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Squirrels of Maryland

Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrels

Delmarva Fox Squirrels

Rare Squirrel

Formerly Endangered Squirrels « less

Sets appears in: • Squirrels of Maryland • Baltimore (etc) 2019 more » • Squirrels of the East Coast « less

Camera: Canon EOS 6D Mark II, f/6.3, 1/800 sec, 400mm, ISO 10000 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Aperture:	f/6.3
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/800)
Focal Length:	400mm
ISO:	10000
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
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