Crystal Springs

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is on everyone's list to visit in the spring, when rhododendrons of every color are at their peak and the park is swarming with proud parents escorting their adorable ducklings and goslings to and fro.  But this park is beautiful any time of year and a magnet for waterfowl. There were wood ducks in large numbers.  Because we were visiting in a cooler season, the algae had retreated and left the water clear enough to see the charming feet of the coots in the water. They are a dashing yellow with black stripes.

Admission will be free in the off-season until March 1, when they will be charging $4 for everyone 12 and over from 10AM-6PM Wednesday through Sunday.  This is one of a few local parks where feeding the ducks is a very popular activity- if you choose to feed them, you'll want to pick something healthier such as cracked corn and avoid bread and crackers. And if you're not feeding them, be aware that the ducks are so used to being fed that they will chase you around!

Wood duck pair.

A mallard/domestic cross?

American coot.

Japanese maple.

A few rhododendrons, blooming in November!

Ginko.

Wood ducks.

Another mallard/domestic cross?