Monomoy

Back on Cape Cod, I found a new place to explore. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is a group of small islands off the southeast corner of Cape Cod, off the elbow, if you picture the Cape as a flexed arm. The street that leads to the refuge is Wikis Way, but the street sign was almost obscured by a tree and the prominent sign said No Outlet. I passed it by twice until I spotted the name of the street.   Monomoy Visitor Center was closed in September. A volunteer showed me the Morris Island trail map and warned against ticks and poison ivy. The island ferry to two islands, designated wilderness with no roads or habitation, was not available—the captain was recovering from an injury—so visitors couldn’t go beyond Morris Island. There was a trail around one end of Morris Island, an inviting way to see what I could of the refuge. The path alternated between sand and muddy. Marshes and wetlands cover the islands, dunes along the sea. The tide was way out, so walking along the beach was possible and pleasant on this sunny day.                           Terns, plover, wading egrets, gulls, and other birds enjoyed the pools that gathered along the long stretch of beach. Crabs scuttled by. A couple of seals could be spotted at the far end, some other hikers told me, but I didn’t make it that far, having lost the trail for a while in tall grass, and slowed by the heat and sand. It was an enjoyable wander nonetheless.   Gleaming white Great Egrets stole the show, undoubtedly the highlight of the visit. Their slow-motion dance was captivating.                 Older Cape Cod posts:Cape Cod July 2023:Falmouth bike path to beach, Martha’s Vineyard, Heritage GardensCape Cod Fall 2021:Yarmouth and Hyannis, Chatham, National Seashore, Provincetown, Yarmouth, Chapin sunset, Cape Cod Canal, Sandwich, Nor’easter, Falmouth, Woods Hole   Please do not download or reproduce images from this site. ©   Your comments are welcome!   Popular posts/stats/categories   Email me at: Ruth@RuthRosenfeld.com   Follow me on: Facebook Instagram Twitter Blog