Sneaux

A rare occurrence this deep in Dixie, I woke to snow this morning. There was a pretty, white coat on the lawns and shrubs. Roads and walks were slushy and slippery, and they were smashing up cars all over town. A couple of idiots tried to get me, too. I sure wish I could have been at my cabin in the hills with a fire crackling in the stove; and I have always wanted to hunt in the snow. The weather radar showed plenty activity in that area, but I couldn't escape... maybe in my next life.

Leaf peeping in the swamp

This year, I have seen more autumn leaf color that any other I can recall. It was a cool and drizzly afternoon, but the swamp was alive with color. The snakes and lizards are holed up. Furry critters were hiding, even the squirrels. Birds were busy, though, feeding heavily to make it through the coming storm.

Sky show tonight

Looking southwest after dark, there is a convergence of the crescent moon, Venus, and Jupiter... an interesting sight. Don't forget to bring in the brass monkeys, it's gonna be cold tonight.

Fall is my favorite

The Virginia creeper is very colorful this year. This splash of red decorates one of the hurricane’s casualties in the swamp. This time of year, the bugs are minimal and the snakes have gone into hiding; it’s a wonderful time to play outdoors. On my frequent hikes through the swamp, I worried over the extreme dry conditions that left water in only a few puddles… very hard times for the swamp- critters. But recent showers have helped, and today’s forecast is for downpours that should raise the water level.

Lately, I’ve kept myself busy and have neglected my blogging. And I only share the good times, so some of my recent “adventures” have been swept under the rug. I have been enjoying some bowhunting. Not nearly enough time in the woods, but I have seen some deer and other wildlife. Also had a few times cold enough for the pleasure of a fire in my cabin’s wood- stove. Last Saturday was a cold morning, and I traipsed through the woods and hunkered down in several spots to watch for game. Mid- morning, after shivering enough, I returned to my truck and drove down the road on an errand. Beside the road, not a mile away, stood a fine young buck and his lady- friend, lazing in the warm sunshine and watching me pass… joke’s on me again!

Waterbirds in the swamp

Things worked out for a visit to the swamp this morning. It was beautiful: still and cool and sunny! The critters were very active. Squirrels were hopping and chasing around the trees. Birds were singing all around. Nearing a wetland area, there was a din of squawking waterbirds. I paused to look for them and a huge flock flew up. They were too far through the woods to have seen me; then I heard the hawk keening. He must have scared them up and scattered them. I noticed that the water was very muddy: those guys had been working hard for their breakfasts. A bit further along the trail, I saw individuals or small groups. They were still fishing or perched near the water, and included egret and white ibis. I rarely get to visit the swamp early in the day so this was a special treat; maybe I should go more often.

Gustav and Ike visited the swamp

The hurricanes caused much damage in the Bluebonnet Swamp. There were many blow- downs and considerable damage to trails and boardwalks. Birds and squirrels were out in force and busily scratching out a living on the forest floor; I guess there was little left for them in the treetops. The critters seemed to view it as the natural order of things. Flowers and bugs were out and about, too; and so the endless cycle turns. Our first "cool" front had arrived, so it was sunny and a very pleasant temperature. Fall is coming soon, with its promise of keeping the hurricanes away.

Almost autumn

I sensed the first hint of fall in the air yesterday afternoon; don’t know whether it was a smell, feel, or what. The swamp realized it, too. Wild fruits were ripening in abundance, bugs were busy, squirrels scurrying, and the puddle edges were alive with small frogs.

Mais cher' dey got big hoppergrass

It was cool in the swamp, following the afternoon rains, and the critters seemed to be enjoying it. I saw songbirds, egrets, snakes, squirrels, but no bunnies. I heard a big bullfrog bellowing. This lubber grasshopper was near the nich where Garry Treefrog lives... maybe they were visiting. Several more big 'hoppers were along the trail, too. The season is rolling along... soon be fall.

Interesting tramp through the swamp

Yesterday morning’s thunderstorms ushered in some milder temperatures and the swamp critters seemed to be enjoying it. I saw rabbits, squirrels, snakes, frogs, and birds. Several of the wading birds were about… I saw blue and green herons, white ibis, and egret.

The season’s moving along

I’m still making visits to the swamp; not much time for other outdoor stuff… even must curb my usual July bowhunting eagerness. The summer is advancing; I could see it in the swamp. Water levels were low; afternoon showers were only making things muddy, not accumulating much water. Garry, the tree frog was still perched in his niche, but Charlotte spider seemed to have done away with her web and was standing guard over an egg clutch. I noticed that her abdomen was much smaller than my previous picture, too.

Brief visits to the swamp

Well, I’ve been pretty strung- out in recent times. I’ve suffered a bit from Nature- deficit disorder, but a few quick jaunts through the Bluebonnet Swamp have helped… wish I’d had that resource available during my student days. Br’er Box Turtle seemed to have found a muscadine treat. It’s been warm and humid in the swamp, and the critters have not been very active during the heat of the day.

Sneaked off to the Atchafalaya

Some friends had planned camping at Butte La Rose for the 4th of July weekend, and I finally managed to go meet them Saturday afternoon. The water was high and the fish weren’t biting; it was hot and steamy, the mosquitoes and gnats were bad. Despite all that, the campground was full and everybody passed a good time. There was lots of talk, beer, music, dance, and food. I set a trotline and stayed out of the partying; every time I went to run my line, the festivities were still continuing. It had finally quieted down when I took up my lines at sunrise. I caught enough catfish for supper, but not enough to justify my four- dollar- a- gallon travel expense.

Frogs in the swamp

This hollow tree beside the swamp trail often has a tree frog in residence. This fellow was sitting in the favorite crack yesterday... I don't know what his smirk- expression was about. There's a photo at the Nature Center, dated 2004, of that same tree, with an identical tree frog in the same crack. This guy doesn't look particularly old and gray, so I guess he must be a great- great- grandchild.

Dragonfly perches

Someone placed sticks near the Bluebonnet Nature Center for dragonflies to sit on. That's an interesting concept; might have some application in gardening if one could encourage dragonflies to hang around for pest control. The dragonflies have a good field of vision from these perches above the grass and weeds. They sit and watch for prey, zip off after it, and return to the perch... interesting to watch.

Visited by Daisy

I had seen Daisy- the- pig enter the library on a leash… some children’s- room program. I declined the offer to come and pose for a picture with Daisy, but they eventually toured her around in her stroller. I couldn’t resist taking a snapshot.

Steamy in the swamp

It was a warm afternoon in the Bluebonnet Swamp; I was grateful for the shading canopy. Despite the heat and humidity, this ol’ snake had found a sunbeam to bask in. He seemed to be enjoying the rays; maybe working on his tan.

No boats at Blackwater

I recently commented on my visit to the Blackwater Conservation Area. One of the changes I noticed was repair of the deeply rutted spot where boats had been dragged down to launch. I had reported that mess and suggested that paving the spot with crushed limestone might stop the damage and allow for easer public access. I inquired about the repair and learned that boats are no longer allowed… broke up my fishing party. Oh, well, it’s a pretty area and I can still hike down to the river; maybe I could wade- fish a little. Portage from parking to launch in the river is much too far to carry a canoe.

Blackwater fishing

I stopped by the Blackwater Conservation Area this morning. They've been working on it! A nice concrete walk, a pier, benches, and an outdoor shower have been added. An area of the bank has been mowed. Protective stakes and wrappings have been placed around young cypress trees. I pulled out the rod that lives behind my truckseat and made a few casts. The brim were hungry and slapped my bug all around. I didn't try to set the hook on any of those stinking things, but most hit like small fish.

Swamp summer

The swamp trails become almost "green tunnels" as summer progresses and the trees fill out. This ol' turtle seems to be enjoying his spot of sunshine. What I thought was a B-29 flying through the swamp, turned out to be a big click- bug... I like their "eyes"

Skeeters in the swamp

Wow, it was warm and humid in the swamp this afternoon. And the mosquitoes were getting bad… they kept me moving. I would have dawdled along watching for critters and admiring flowers, but there was too much buzzing and biting. Those dragonfly perches were being well used, but those guys should have been hunting along the trails… there were lots more mosquitoes in the shady areas. Maybe we need some additional perches. The old turtle seemed to be enjoying a bake in the sun.

I hadn't been fishing in a long while

Well, I don't know whether that qualified as "fishing". I sneaked off to the lake to test a rod.... that's my testing laboratory, ya know. I found a short spinning rod and wanted to see whether it would cast a fly line... I want a fly rod to fit in my backpack. The experiment failed, but the morning was pretty. The ducks and turtles were busy, the green heron was also fishing, and the brim were biting on every cast... all small ones.

Hot afternoon in the swamp

It's getting pretty warmin the afternoons. In the swamp, humidity builds and makes it even more sticky. Even this little cottonmouth sought out a shady spot to coil up for siesta. Wildflowers were smiling at the heatwave, however.

One Sunday in spring

There is a beech grove in the “hills” that front the Bluebonnet Swamp. It was a lovely afternoon for a walk; it was cool, with low humidity and a nice breeze. I saw few critters, but the birds made the woods ring with their songs. I had only a quick hike, as I didn’t have time to tarry.

Hot now, summer in the city

The box turtle was out for a stroll, yesterday. The afternoon was quite warm and animal activity included much of the two- legged variety. I saw a few critters, despite all the people blundering around; I get spoiled at having the Bluebonnet Swamp all to myself. There were a few birds and squirrels; the snakes had already gone into hiding; and the tree frog I often visit ducked into his hole as soon as I rounded the bend. This skink was not much calmer. I’ve seen a lot of the shiny green bugs, this year. I think those are “tiger beetles” and wonder if that is the adult phase of what I call a doodlebug.

Visiting the swamp

Yesterday afternoon was beautiful in the swamp, cool with low humidity. That snake was a visitor, too: the grey- banded king snake ranges out Texas, New Mexico way. Lots of critters were sunning, wherever they could find a few rays shining through the thickening canopy. I was particularly entertained by the baby turtle being perched just above the water; he found a knob to sit on.

In a previous life....

I rember visiting a dear friend in this cute little house. Out for hiking- therapy this morning, I stopped to snap a picture. Amazing, how trails can diverge. I guess mine turned left at this intersection, as I eventually lived halfway down the block.

“This figurehead from the battleship Louisiana is erected in memory of the soldiers and sailors who served the flag in the Spanish- American war 1898- 1902 – erected MDMXXXIX”

A walk in the park

I hiked over to City Park this morning, trying to loosen some joints… must be another cold front coming. I also wanted to see what progress was being made on the park renovations. There was construction proceeding on buildings and the golf course had added some nice cement walkways (or driveways for carts?). The bayou (Duplantier?) which flows into City Park Lake seemed wider. Maybe it has been worked; high water was unlikely, as the lake, itself, seemed low. Water quality still looked pretty good, but murkiness was growing with the warm weather and sunshine. I need to come back with my fly rod! I circled back the long way, and passed by that ship’s bow display. A few years ago, Little Sister and I liked to climb the back side of that concrete form… quite a few years ago.

It's gettin' hot in the hills

I abbreviated my trip after seeing this guy! Note that diamond- shaped head. That old cottonmouth was having the life of Reily with the high water blocking the creek flow. He was sipping something small from the water surface; just hanging there, feeding in the slow current. Ticks are crawling; I found 3 hiking around on me; and mosquitoes are getting worse... a few in the shade, and they got bad at sunset. Pigs are rooting the creek- bank again. One of them leaves a big track, and deep! The track, itself, must weigh 40 pounds. I sat in the reeds until nearly dark, but the pigs didn't show. I did, however get to see two deer headed down to water. The woods are thickening and getting shady. There are still lots of wildflowers; don't know this one but thought it was pretty... maybe wild verbena?

It’s getting’ warm in the swamp

The critters are out and busy; got youngsters to feed, I guess. The birds are everywhere, squirrels and rabbits are hopping around. A pair of wood ducks paddled into the weeds before I could get my camera out. This skink was particularly colorful. I wonder if that makes him more attractive to the girls… don’t know much about skink courtship. Snakes and tree frogs are out. Bugs are getting more numerous and zipping around, but the mosquitoes haven’t been around much.

How high’s the water?

I haven’t seen so much flooding in a while. The Mississippi’s backwater is pushed all the way up the creek to my property marker. I just came back from the hills… gotta work tonight. The water at Thompson’s Creek seems almost up to the Hwy 61 bridge… looks like a big lake. Several feet of water also under the Bayou Sara bridge, on Hwy 66.

It's Spring some more

I guess that was the last cool snap; soon be complaining about hot and muggy. Sure was pretty again today, though. I tried setting my camera for action photos and was able to stop those buttercups from waving in the wind. I have been seeing more bugs. No mosquitoes in the swamp; I guess the mosquitofish are doing their part. I noticed a patch of jack- in- the- pulpit, today; they seem very exotic... I never saw many before this year.

Nice weather to play outdoors

A cool afternoon, and this fellow found a spot of sunshine to warm- up in. Plenty goings- on in the swamp. Critters are busy; lots of wildflowers; trees, shrubs, and vines are leafing out in earnest; more dragonflies are out; and spiders are building their webs. I tried to video a swarm of bees; got the buzzing, but the picture was poor.

Dayhike Burden Research Center

Whoopee! I finally got to attend another outing with the Louisiana Hiking Club. Since my work schedule (alternate weekends) clashes with the monthly calendar, there’s only a 50: 50 chance for me to join the group’s second- Saturday hikes. Looks like I’ll be free for the 2nd Saturday in May, but foiled again after that. I tend to be a loner, but really enjoy the camaraderie of this bunch, and we had a good turn out… about 30 of us. It was a nice morning… started out cool enough for long sleeves, there was sunshine and light breeze. The Burden center has fields and research plots, of course, and the terrain is mostly flat, but there are some lush wooded areas with various tree species and lots of understory growth. They are considering development of public- use walking trails on the Burden property, so the Hiking Club got special permission for a visit. I hadn’t been out there in years… in a previous life. It’s a lovely and very interesting place. The Rural Life Museum is there, there are gardens and ponds, flowers and shrubs, old cabins and farm implements from bygone times. I was particularly enthralled by an old hay baler that looked like my grandfather’s. It was driven by a broad belt stretched from the tractor. I remember catching bales from the back end as hay was being forked into the top of the machine. I was probably less of a help and more in- the- way, as the bales were nearly as big as me. We had a nice hike; there is a lot of territory there, scenery, and many points of interest. I hope they go ahead with the trails idea; that’s a pretty place and public trails would be great use for some of their untilled acreage. I took a few pictures, but there was so much "stuff", I could have spent a week there with my camera... and, by then, weather, crops, and seasons would change and I would have to start a new round of picture- taking.

Follow this link for a slideshow.

Swampflora on yesterday's walk

Swampfauna on yesterday's walk.

Spring has sprung and geocaches are hiding

Spittlebugs were doing their thing, tulip poplar buds will soon open to full flower. Songbirds were trilling, owls hooting, and hawks keening. I noticed that the pecan trees are leafing out, sure sign that winter is over. I played a new game called geocaching; it’s a hi- tech version of Easter- egg hunts. There’s a hidden “treasure” (actually there are thousands of them all over the world). Latitude and Longitude coordinates and some hints are obtained from this website. Sign- in logs are the usual “treasure”, but there are sometimes trinkets you can trade or trackable items which want to be moved to another cache. Finds can be recorded on the website. Enter the coordinates into a GPS unit and let it lead to the hiding place. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well, maybe I’m not that smart. I found one and signed the log at the Bluebonnet Swamp. However, there is another cache at the swamp that I must try again. And there is one at the library that I could not find… I stood at the point where my GPS said zero, but I couldn’t locate anything. Maybe I should stick with nature; dragonflies were zipping around. Muscadine vines were budding… they were loaded with fruit last year.

Louisiana iris

I needed a smile in my life, yesterday. This guy was trailside, waving at me in the swamp. I wondered whether it was native there or someone transplanted it; figure it must be a Louisiana iris, but I'm mostly ignorant about such things. Lately, my flower pictures are often blurred. I hate to start dragging a tripod; maybe it is more the wind than me... must study this situation some more.