Bombay Hook in Late August

Traditionally I make a one-day trek to Bombay Hook NWR in August to see migrating shorebirds.  It occurred to me the other day that August was essentially gone, and I hadn't yet made that jaunt, so I closed out the month with a trip to see the shorebirds.  The birds were there, and I saw most of what I hoped to see, but the birds were out of range for my camera.  For closer photos of birds I have to go to Chincoteague, and even there most of the little stuff is just beyond camera range.  Some of the wildflowers, however, were showing off for me.

Even if I didn't have a calendar, I would know fall was on the way when certain wildflowers show up.  The goldenrod is a prime example.

Thistle is another one.  There are a number of thistle species, some native and others not, and they are the curse of some naturalists, but the goldfinches love them when they go to seed.  The seeds feed their young, and the down from the seeds line their nests.  Butterflies seem to like them, too.

When milkweed goes to seed, it has wonderful seed pods.

I must confess that all these were taken from the car window.  I'd focus, lower the window, take the shots, and quickly raise the window again.  The mosquitoes and "bitey" flies (horseflies?) were rampant, and the temperature was around 95.  I saw what I wanted to see and left for home!