Glimmers of Spring

Wow, those days of hot weather have encouraged early plant growth and brought out some critters. Yellowtops are blooming, trillium and violets are budding. Even a few bees were out working. Turtles were sunning on logs and someone reported a watersnake. A bullfrog was singing his baritone solo, and lots of birds were busy in the treetops and the understory.

Woody Woodpecker?

This ol' woodhen was busily working on a beech tree. This is in a small upland habitat bordering the Bluebonnet Swamp. As I watched him work, the cold breeze was biting at me. I was too lightly clad for comfort, so I had to keep moving. It spoils me when I spend the weekend outdoors, warmly dressed, then venture out in my typical workaday clothes. It was a pretty afternoon in the swamp, cool and sunshiny. Saw a few squirrels, and some of the spring birds are arriving. Lots of the local residents were busy, too.

Unseasonably warm

I have been hemmed in kinda close and I've been neglecting my blogging, too. Still managing brief visits to the swamp, however. This afternoon, it was another warm one... shirtsleeve weather doesn't feel like January! Lots of birds were active. This barred owl was asking the perennial question, "who cooks for you". And a pair of great horned owls were hooting back and forth in the distance. Lots of other birds were active, too. Now, if I can just escape to the "real" woods... soon, I hope.

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.