The Coastal Marsh in my Backyard

June 20 2018

Not only am I blessed to be in this adorable beach community, and live about 7 houses from the ocean, I also have a marsh in my backyard, right behind my fence.

Our realtor considered it a selling point and I didn't realize why until we had been here a few days.  Wake up and step out onto the front desk - breathe in the fresh salty air and feel the ocean breeze... but then - step out onto the back deck, relax in the rocking chair and listen to the birds sing. It's so peaceful and quiet. If you close your eyes, you would think you were the only house in the neighborhood, that's how quiet it is.

From what I have learned, a Marsh is defined as: "A salt marsh or saltmarsh, also known as a coastal salt marsh or a tidal marsh, is a coastal ecosystem in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and open saltwater or brackish water that is regularly flooded by the tides. It is dominated by dense stands of salt-tolerant plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs."

I am unsure how this marsh will impact our house during flooding, but for right now I will remain focused on the best part of this quiet bird land - the wildlife that I get to see every day! 

For a few days, I heard the tall grasses moving...from more than just the breeze.  I knew something was out there, just wasn't sure what.  At around dusk about two weeks after moving in, I finally put an end to my curiosity as I heard the rustling.  I ran out back, grabbed a camping chair, put it against my fence and pulled my head over the top.  I peeked over to see a beautiful deer right in front of me crunching away on the plant leaves.  I didn't make a sound or any sudden movements and she allowed me to watch her eat. I snapped a quick pic.

My craft room has two large windows that face the marsh and now I see them often.  Two days later I saw Mom and Bambi. I am a lover of all animals so this really brings me more happiness than I expected with my new home.

Milford gets better by the day!