Travel

Whale watching on Virginia Beach

By Andy Thompson | February 27, 2012

Just over a week ago I went down to Virginia Beach to go whale watching with Tom McCann of The Nature Conservancy. It’s interesting how many Richmonders I told about it that couldn’t believe you can see humpback, fin, sei and right whales (and others) all within sight of the beach highrises. Not only can you, but a few of the people I talked to down there say this might the best year ever for whale watching. The warm winter has led to warmer water temperatures and baitfish coming much closer to shore than usual. Not surprisingly, the predators, like whales, follow the baitfish.

 

 

 

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Channels Preserve a stunning, rare Virginia locale

By Andy Thompson | January 31, 2012

The subject of this post isn’t exactly local — it’s five hours away, in fact — but I had to share because the place is just too amazing not to.

In December I wrote a column for The Times-Dispatch introducing a new monthly series for 2012. The goal is to travel the state highlighting rare or unique plants, animals, ecosystems, geologic formations, etc. – places and species that most Virginians don’t know exist or are only vaguely aware of. Yesterday, I traveled to Channels State Forest and Natural Area Preserve (the NAP is surrounded by the SF) in southwestern Virginia for the January entry.

 

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Posted In: Hiking, Travel