Early summer in the Danube National Park

The weather was so lovely on Monday, that we felt we wanted to get out into it. The open air part of the Orth Information centre for the National Park has enclosures with turtles and watersnakes. There are frogs galore, and the central pond contains various fish. Here you see a window of the underwater observation room. In the background is the 'insect hotel'.

There are various places for children to play: a willow tunnel made to look like a snake and an enormous nest full of straw. But the children we saw were mostly as busy as we were trying to count the turtles, and catch sight of the snakes.

On Monday the biggest surprise was the amount of noise the frogs were making. We actually saw them bubble up their cheeks to call out.

Other exhibits show how to recognize the signs that larger animals have passed, and what happens when they have passed away. Yes, the aroma coming from that side path is a dead animal. Road kill is brought in at intervals and allowed to decay. There are pictures to show the progression.

Many of the plants are labelled, and a ranger took the time to point out to us one that is often mistaken for Wild Garlic. Well, they both have wide leaves in the spring, but I doubt that I would mix them up. Good thing, too. The Baerlauch, or Wild Garlic had a lovely flavour in the spring before it blossoms, and has become a real hit in recent years, I often pick it. The Herbstzeitlose, or Autumn Crocus blossoms in the fall, and is VERY poisonous. Apparently there is no antidote. I found that its leaves were much more like tulips than like Baerlauch. Another reminder not to eat plants you aren't really sure of.

After learning about the animals to be found in the park you can also walk out from the Schlossinsel onto a trail that leads down through the park to the Danube. Or else drive down to the Danube, and walk along it for a way. There is an excursion restaurant at the Danube, or an organic food snackbar in the Schloss (run by Biohof Adamah). We had been meaning to visit the Mill Ship on the Danube one of these days, but at least for now will have to give up on that, as it sank this winter. They are working at raising it again, so maybe by the end of the summer. A ferry for pedestrians (and I think bicycles) is available as well.

We have bought a family season pass to the Schlossinsel in Orth, so you will hear more about what goes on there as the summer progresses.

On your way back to Vienna, you will probably want to stop at one of the many Bauernhof shops or stands offering asparagus, which is at the height of its season, or strawberries, which are just starting.