Middletown, R.I. – Due to traveling, this week's Floral Friday features photos from a recent trip to Sachuest Point. This wildlife preserve offers walking trails with spectacular views of the ocean, in addition to glimpses of the wildlife that make this area their home. The main loop, measuring about 2.4 miles, is suitable for walking or light jogging. Observation decks can be found at various spots along the walking loop, which can be used by visitors seeking a higher vantage point of the surrounding scenery.
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1970 with land donated by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Over the years, the refuge has grown in size to 242 acres and is one of five national wildlife refuges in Rhode Island. I've visited this area multiple times over the years, and have seen cottontail rabbits, deer, monarch butterflies and swallows make this area their home. It is home to more than 200 species of birds and also serves as an important stopover and wintering area for migratory birds.
Below are some of the photos I took during two visits to the preserve. The main plants in bloom during my visit were goldenrod and thistle. I also spied common milkweed, with large seed pods beginning to form on the plants. The area is relatively quiet, which is surprising considering how close it is to busy Newport beaches.
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| A young deer grazes on fallen berries along the path. |
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| This photo was taken several feet away with a long lens. |
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| One of the many spectacular ocean views. |
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| There are numerous rocks along the shoreline here. |
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| Fields of goldenrod and milkweed make up one of the wild areas for pollinators. |
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| Goldenrod and milkweed. |
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| Thistle. |
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| When I visited, there were thousands of swallows all around the preserve. |
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| Many of the swallows visiting the preserve in early September. |
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