Images

Salt marshes at Chincoteague Island. The salt marshes that make up Chincoteague Island are important habitat for migrating waterfowl. In addition, they serve an important role in protecting inland ecosystems and communities from oceanic storms.

Dieffenbach Pond at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state. 

A nesting bald eagle at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to the largest breeding population of American bald eagles on the East Coast, north of Florida. The platform was provided by the Refuge for use by nesting birds of prey.

Tidal marshes in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state.

Tidal marshes in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state.

Seagrass marshes in Queen Sound Channel. Saltwater and barrier marshes are important ecosystems that protect inland habitat and communities from ocean storms.

A duck blind in New Virginia Cove, part of Chincoteague Island. The salt marshes that make up Chincoteague Island are important habitat for migrating waterfowl.

Migratory waterfowl arriving at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland.

A wild pony on Assateague Island. Wild ponies have lived on Assateague since the 1600s, although how they were introduced to Assateague is still debated. There are now around 300 or so wild ponies in Maryland and Virginia.

Tidal marshes in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state.

Tidal marshes in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state. 

Inland scrub plants on Assateague Island. Inland scrub plays an important role in stabilizing the sand dunes on a barrier island.

Salt marshes at Chincoteague Island. The salt marshes that make up Chincoteague Island are important habitat for migrating waterfowl. In addition, they serve an important role in protecting inland ecosystems and communities from oceanic storms.

Salt marshes at Chincoteague Island. The salt marshes that make up Chincoteague Island are important habitat for migrating waterfowl. In addition, they serve an important role in protecting inland ecosystems and communities from oceanic storms.

Migratory waterfowl congregate at Coulson Pond in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Blackwater serves as an important habitat for these waterfowl, and was established in 1933 as a waterfowl sanctuary for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway.

Migratory waterfowl congregate at Coulson Pond in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Blackwater serves as an important habitat for these waterfowl, and was established in 1933 as a waterfowl sanctuary for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway.

Marsh management projects on-going at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Wetlands are planted and flooded during the Spring and Summer, then drained during the Fall and Winter. This provides sediment stabilization and habitat for migrating waterfowl.

A panorama of marshes at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state.

Inland scrub plants on Assateague Island. Inland scrub plays an important role in stabilizing the sand dunes on a barrier island.

Inland scrub plants on Assateague Island. Inland scrub plays an important role in stabilizing the sand dunes on a barrier island.

A stabilization fence runs the length of the sand dune on Assateague Island.