Posted September 1, 2016 | Updated July 24, 2018

The skies treated us to some amazing vistas at York River State Park. The river and marshes were a source of some tranquil down time and fun time-travels to prehistoric Virginia via the fossils littering the beach that were just waiting to tell their stories.

Sprinkle the beaches with wildflowers that even I'm unfamiliar with, well, that's paradise.

The beautiful and soothing Taskinas Creek

Who knew what difference 3 years would make between visits to York River State Park. We hiked it as novice starry eyed hikers years back and left like idiots covered in ticks and chiggers. No bug sprays, frolicking among the marsh boardwalks, and me mindlessly doing photography. I literally spent an hour total crawling though nature. We were invincible, not.  Now upon 2 return trips, we diligently sprayed our legs and arms. We've taken home no uninvited guests since. 

So heed this, the marshy wilds of Virginia are breathtaking and you should go explore them all, but use tick and chigger repellent when hiking them.

Our first foray back to York River State Park was to try kayaking for the second time ever. We wanted to have a crab's-eye view of the place, or as close as we could get to that. We tried a tandem 2-person kayak this time, not knowing how that would go. Well, it's a fine way to kayak when you want to do photography and not really have to paddle. 

The marshes were incredible from eye level. Waves of fiddler crabs retreated along the banks as we glided quietly past, with fish occasionally jumping so close you suddenly leaned back to avoid the splashes. If you are looking for a peaceful place on the water, this place is an excellent choice. It is very easy to paddle the creek and the river and you can sit and listen to nature if you want with no fear of drifting far off.

York River State Park also seems well placed for out-of-state tourists to work into day trips that also includes Virginia historical sites. We seem popular with New York and Pennsylvania folk. Ran into 2 families and a couple with their dog. One big family was there to mountain bike, the other to treat their girls to fossil hunting. The couple dropped in to give their dog, Zippy, some nature time. It's always fun to chat up visitors and ask them how they came to find that park.

How do we end up on a tourist’s itinerary? The stories vary, but Virginia has a reputation for its lovely state parks. We have met people over and over again from every surrounding state that borders Virginia.

A word to the wise on fossil collecting here. Gleefully find all you want. The pleasure of the find is indeed a rush. Then pick your 1 favorite when you go, gently toss the rest back onto the beach for the next child to squeal with joy as they spot them. High tide and maybe a rain storm will arrange them by the next day back into the sandy landscape. You really are supposed to take just 1 fossil per visit.

Remember, the grand and flashy always grab your attention easily on nature excursions. But try to heed Mother Nature’s tiny wonders for a change.

Take a moment, crouch, and listen to the ribbed muscle colonies clustered around the base of the shoreline reeds and grasses. When exposed at low tide, they make an audible and continuous snap, crackle, and popping sound. If you sit quietly mid-day, you can watch the fiddler crabs emerge from their holes in the sand and feed, they are comical. I wrote this poem based on the video I took (below) of one eating in a most entertaining way. It was smaller than a dime, and it was on a mission of feasting.

Fiddler crab, so tiny

Double clawed eating seems wise,

When tomorrow's pickings may be lean.

Turn your speakers up to hear the cry of the osprey

Finally, do linger till days end. The late summer sun sets over the marshes and it's breathtaking. There is an overlook with a fixed stand and attached binoculars that are good for a closer view if you spot herons or egrets hunting in the channels shallow edges. They are also handy if you spot an osprey or bald eagle eyeing up a fish in the marshes. Osprey are the only hawk species that do vertical dives, and can be seen fishing here, as well as offshore in the York River. Eagles, having a gliding in and talon snatching style of fishing, also hunt these waters. Patience, and visiting often, will increase your chances of witnessing these spectacular raptor moments.

Do you have a season pass to Virginia State Parks? Get one! You could go to a Virginia State Park every week like we do.

Visit our Facebook page "Virginia Through Our Eyes," and we will give some photo by photo commentary on how we got a few of the more spectacular shots at York River State Park.

Stay tuned to Bob and Kevin's series on Virginia State Parks to learn more cell phone photography tips, these images were all taken with a cell phone camera, and we are excited to have them get to know Virginia one park at a time.

Posted September 1, 2016 | Updated July 24, 2018