Eastern Shore in Winter

          Last weekend the Sun had an article on the charm of the Eastern Shore in the Winter.  We all appreciate our proximity to the attractions of DC and Baltimore but often underestimate all that the Eastern Shore has to offer just an hour away from us.  I have blogged on the beauty of Hoopers Island and Blackwater but the Sun article mentioned some places I had not been familiar with.

      The Elliott Island Drive was described as  a 19 mile journey from Vienna to Elliott Island.  The drive goes through pine stands and wild wetlands with marsh grass and waterfowl.  It has been described as "just 18 miles south of Vienna off Route 50. This quaint waterfront village on Fishing Bay is home to approximately 70 locals.

Great views of the wetlands, wildlife and waterfront wait as you take this beautiful scenic drive."

      The second location highlighted was the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge near Rock Hall. All species of ducks such as the black, pintail and canvasback are plentiful this time of year.  From their website "Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, a part of the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, is a 2,286-acre island located at the confluence of the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay. Established in 1962 as a sanctuary for migratory birds, Eastern Neck NWR provides natural habitat for over 240 bird species - including American bald eagles and transitory peregrine falcons - and is a major staging site for tundra swans."

                                             If you are lucky you might even see a bald eagle.

P.S.
 New Release Cinema will commemorate Black History Month with the presentation of two outstanding African American documentaries on Thursday, February 16 at the East Columbia Library. The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 will be screened at 6pm . Doors open at 5:30pm. Next, at 7:30pm the uplifting and entertaining Thunder Soul. Free popcorn, candy and soda will be available. Admission is free. This event is sponsored by Friends of Howard County Library.