Meadow and Stream Hike, Howard County Conservancy

We went for a short hike at the Howard County Conservancy Mt. Pleasant. The hike started at the Montjoy Barn. Originally built in 1792, the barn is constructed from old growth oak and hand-crafted wooden pegs. The barn was moved to this location because of local development. It's now used as a classroom for visiting school trips.

Montjoy Barn

Across from the barn is the Master Gardener's Garden, which was not open to us non-masters.

Professionals only

The path goes in two different directions across a meadow but my kids wanted to play in another outdoor classroom area.

Two paths

The path less travelled

We finally got on the hike, enjoying views of the meadows with plenty of vegetation for birds and insects.

View in one direction

View in the other direction

A spot is cleared in the middle of the meadow for bird watchers. We saw our first insect, a bee, on the sign, so we did not read too much.

Skywatch sign

One artificial bit on the hike was this birdhouse that does a terrible job blending in.

At least they tried?

The trail leads from the meadows into a wetlands area. 

More vegetation

You know they are wetlands because the Davis Branch stream flows through. We could hear the stream but barely see it because of the summer vegetation. We finally got a better view on a small bridge over the stream.

The Davis Branch would be visible if it weren't for all the other branches

At least the trail is easy to see

View from the bridge

Other view from the bridge

Further along is another artificial, but much older, bit--a stone fence. Backing in the farming days, when the fields were cleared (for either cultivation or grazing), stones were stacked as walls.

Across the wall

Nicely stacked

The trail along the wall leads back into the meadow with another view the beautiful countryside.

More meadow (actually, the same meadow)

The Conservancy has more trails, so we will probably go back and do more exploring.