The July temperatures had come down into the high-80’s(F), and it was sunny and dry. An excellent day for a drive away from the ‘burbs.
So, off we headed to Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, NY.
We debated taking Puppy Cody along, but we hadn’t been to Chestnut Ridge since before the COVID-19 pandemic and weren’t sure how crowded it might be. Cody doesn’t like a lot of strangers around. We also had forgotten to take folding chairs, so our visit was not as long as it could have been.
Pretty much everyone who visits Chestnut Ridge starts at the top of the hill where the toboggan slide is. From there, you have an excellent view of the Buffalo, NY skyline. Despite the fact that we have been going to the park since our courting days more than 40 years ago, the view never gets old:
We were disappointed that the porch swings had all been taken down, probably because no one wanted the duty of sanitizing them. There was a single picnic table outside the lodge building, which made for a nice, stable mount for the camera.
There was a haze over Buffalo, and my camera only as a 35X zoom – and bear in mind that the distance between that Chestnut Ridge hill and downtown Buffalo is approximately 17 miles. Considering all that, I think the close-up turned out well:
I wasn’t quick enough, or skilled enough, to catch a photo of the hawk swooping over the lodge. Perhaps next time.
After the requisite visit to the toboggan hill, we drove through the park. It was surprisingly empty. Even the largest shelters were not being used. The people we saw were mostly jogging, strolling, or simply driving through:
And the deeper into the park we went, the less people there were. Just the way I like it.
(LOL. The second photo was actually taken from the same spot; it’s just a view in the other direction, which looks emptier.)
Despite the heavy woods in the deeper paths, we saw no furry animals. Looking down at the ground, however, I spotted this very tiny baby toad. It was only about half an inch long, so I had to use the macro setting on the camera. The silly thing kept hopping into and under the grass, which made any photo difficult, but I did my best:
Then I happened to look up into bush next to where I as standing, and I saw this teeny leaf beetle (I would be surprised if if measured even a quarter-inch long). The camera was already set to macro, which made the shot so much easier:
As I mentioned, we had failed to take folding chairs and by now my legs were getting tired. We had already driven through the entire park, so we headed home, stopping on the way to pick up some excellent take-out food. We had debated eating in the restaurant’s patio, but decided we’re still not quite ready for that.
Once home, we discovered a potential invasion from the neighbors:
Nothing like a couple of guard-Unicorns! Looks like they’re almost on top of the fence, doesn’t it? But, in fact, they’re at least 50 feet away. It’s amazing what the right angle and a zoom lens can do.
If that’s the worst we can expect from our neighbors, I count my blessings on having moved onto the street. Our house may be old, decrepit and stinky, but at least coming home after a nice drive isn’t likely to turn into some kind of police drama like it did in the old neighborhood.
As usual, stay safe and healthy, everyone. Hugs to all.
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Images by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
Places like this never get old. I’m glad you had a nice day.
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Yeah, even though I’ve taken tons of pictures there before, each time it’s just a little bit different,
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Nice photos. Love the Unicorns. We went to Letchworth yesterday. It was busy so we did not get out much at the look outs. The pool was PACKED. If people are not careful, we will be like Florida.
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Letchworth is on our list. Had we gone yesterday, maybe we would have been there at the same time! That would have been awesome.
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Great shot of that beetle. I guess it was much more cooperative than the toad. You can never go wrong, having unicorns guard your property.
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Yeah, the beetle didn’t move, at all. For all I know it was dead. I was just glad it stayed still.
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Well, it does seem like the toad was trying to hide from a potential predator. Nice shots anyway. 🙂
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Poor little toad. I chased it for awhile, then realized I was probably torturing it so I went on to other subjects.
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Ahh…love these refreshing outdoorsy pictures. Excellent shots as always, CM. （*’∀’人）♥
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Thanks, NBC. I’m happy to share with the rest of the world when I can.
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That’s great! Let’s take an online ‘wefie’…..♡˖(⁎ᐙॢ*)ॢ(*ॢᐕॢ⁎)♡॰
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I’m glad to see that you can take a safe drive to the park now, CM. We’re advancing step by step in our parts of New York. Knock on wood.
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I really had expected the park to be overwhelmed with people suffering for quarantine fatigue, especially since it was Saturday and beautiful weather. Maybe now that malls are open again, they all went there instead.
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I think the heat is keeping people inside air-conditioned spots. A guess, anyway, CM.
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The visit to the park looks lovely, as do your new neighbours guard Unicorns 💜💜😁
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I found the unicorns especially amusing. My daughters would have loved those when they were little.
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I would too, NOW 💜💜💜
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CM, your picture from atop that hill at Chestnut is excellent!! I always had trouble getting the right angle but man you nailed it. I’m surprised to see the pollution hanging low over Buffalo because the air has been so clear. I too am seeing how quiet the parks have gotten and it almost feels like a ghost town, eerie. The parks I’ve gone to still do not have their bathrooms open either. I’m glad you and your hubby got out to this park. Loved every single one of your pictures. Loved your perspective in them and kudos for you for at least trying to get a picture of that toad. And hurray on the next door neighbor “drama”. xo
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Fortunately, some of the bathrooms at Chestnut Ridge were open. I found one quite far back from the road, and I cringed as I entered, fearing what I might find inside. But I really needed to go! As it turned out, the bathroom was amazingly clean and well-stocked with TP, paper towels and soap. Thanks for your compliments on the photos. I never really know how they’re going to turn out until I get home and start editing them. I think it was a moisture haze over Buffalo that day as it had rained overnight. There’s not a lot of traffic in the city right now, nor are the factories open any more, so there shouldn’t be too much pollution. Soon, I think we’ll drive out to Letchworth and see what we can find.
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Makes sense about the moisture haze, CM. The air here has been amazingly clean. It’s also good to know that some parks are opening their restrooms. Honestly, this is just so silly not to even be able to use a restroom when your bladder is full. Hence, the bush comes in handy. I know. (smile) Lucky you on Letchworth!! I LOVE that park! Due to my time constraints I am not able to drive that far. I so look forward to your pictures. I used to walk the stairs between the three waterfalls. *sigh* Gorgeous scenery there. I hope you plan on staying all day!!
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Ha. I doubt that I’ll be climbing those stairs, but I can certainly take photos of them. I did briefly consider taking an entire weekend and staying at the Glen Iris Inn, but the idea of a hotel room still kind of freaks me out. both because of COVID and because of bed bugs and such, even though I’m sure they clean as thoroughly as they can. In any event, we’re thinking end of summer/early fall would be a good time to go. If it’s a day trip, we might even take Cody with us.
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