Words That Play

When the excitement of the holidays fades and your spirits fall in time with the temperature, banish the wintertime blues with an outdoor adventure to Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Kent County, Maryland . Just a daytrip from Baltimore, Philadelphia and DC, nearly 2,300 acres of natural beauty await on this island cozied between the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay. One of the 500-plus refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System, Eastern Neck Island is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Whether under the water, on the water, on land or in the sky, their efforts provide sanctuary for myriad life forms. With more than 240 species of birds including bald eagles, hawks and osprey, tundra swans, Canadian geese, and other migratory types, it’s a veritable birding haven. Animal lovers will enjoy the diversity of amphibians and reptiles including diamondback terrapins with their intricately decorated shells and mammals like the endangered Delmarva fox squirr...

From selfies to large-format landscapes, when you visit the picturesque sites in Kent County , you’ll want to keep your camera handy. Along the Waterfront Let’s face it, water is nature’s mirror for the sun and when the two meet… well, it’s a match made in photographic heaven. With Kent County’s 209 miles of shoreline, there are many locations on which to reflect. Crouch along the banks of rivers and creeks to frame their rippled surface with reeds; stroll waterfront promenades, wharfs and piers to catch a couple walking hand-in-hand or a youngster casting a line in hopes of the winning catch.  Wander the docks of numerous marinas throughout the county for stylish nautical shots. With direct access to the Chesapeake Bay Spring Cove Marina accommodates everything from large catamarans to smaller pleasure craft, while Duffy Creek Marina on the Sassafras River offers a more secluded, wake-free environment. From modern yachts with coiled lines to sea-worn pilings with sea...