Betwixt dry land and the brackish eastern shore bays

Lies a place where human footsteps are unwelcome

A no-mans land invaded twice daily by tidal water

Drenched vegetation thrives

A haven for wild birds seeking food and shelter

Sturdy grasses cover these wetlands

Changing colors with the seasons

Lavish green in warm summertime

Brown is the fashion for cold winter and spring months

Occasionally snow covered

Frequently lashed by high winds  

Still air hovers between gentle breezes

Shrubs anchor to the ever soaked floor

Welcome to nature’s water treatment factory

Mussels cling to the fragile shoreline

Crabs feed in the shallow pools

Small fish hide from hungry birds

Ospreys swoop in to grab nesting material

Black snakes patrol in search of unsuspecting rodents

Ticks crawl onto any passing mammal

Mosquitos emerge to seek out blood

The dreaded green-head flies attack with no mercy

Bullfrogs sing through the night

Raccoons wander around looking for trouble

Herons strut to their favorite ambush place

Noisy geese invade the silence

A fascinating place to visit and observe

Constantly threatened by development and pollution

Watched over and protected by the Assateague Coastal Trust 

This is the marsh