Αρχεία Ημερολογίου για Οκτώβριος 2018

Οκτώβριος 03, 2018

Watch out, trout, I'm going to get you!

Last weekend was the grand opening of Kilgore's new nature trail, Creekside Trail. I went Sunday afternoon to check it out. Since the park follows a creek, I wanted to see if the creek was fishable. Most of it is too shallow, but I found a deep part that may hold some fish.

I tried to record as many species as possible, ultimately getting over 100, and I only checked a small portion of the park. I filled my bag up with mushrooms as I found them until it was full. It was mentally exhausting, but fun. I found a few wonderful, colorful caterpillars by slowing searching the brush and weeds. If you take the time to slow down and look, you can find a lot of awesome things.

I'll try to fish the creek in the next few days.

Speaking of fishing, I'm excited about going to Robber's Cave, Oklahoma, on the 19th. They have native trout, which Texas doesn't have---our trout are stocked in the winter and die as it gets warmer. I checked the iNat fish records for this park and there is only one---a catfish in 2013. :-(

Posted on Οκτώβριος 03, 2018 0251 ΠΜ by cosmiccat cosmiccat | 4 παρατηρήσεις | 1 σχόλιο | Αφήστε ένα σχόλιο

Οκτώβριος 23, 2018

My Oklahoma Adventure

I just came back from a four-day trip to Robber's Cave State Park, Oklahoma. I've been wanting to visit this park because of the gorgeous photos. https://stateparks.com/robbers_cave.html

Day One: Friday
The weather was bad, so I spent the afternoon in my hotel.

Day Two: Saturday
The weather was clear and sunny, so I drove to the main fishing lake, hoping to catch species Texas doesn't have. When I got to the park, I realized that I had picked the wrong weekend for my trip. The park was having its annual fall festival. There was no parking available, so I had to to park a quarter of a mile down the road and walk. The actual festival was right on the shore of the main fishing lake, so I couldn't fish there. There was too much noise and too many people. I took some plant observation photos and walked back to the car. I spent the morning driving around, wondering what to do since going anywhere meant a really long walk. I decided to drive to the opposite end of the park, where the famous cave is. Maybe I could get away from the blaring music and crowds there.

I think everyone else had the same idea. There was no parking available, and there was a long line going up and down the trail. I went anyway and got a lot of photos of lichens and a very cute polyphemus moth caterpillar. The climb was difficult and treacherous. I was so worn out by then that I went back to the hotel.

Day Three: Sunday
I arrived at the park before the festival started in hopes of fishing at the lake before it got too crowded. It was so beautiful and peaceful that I wanted to stay all day. Steep sandstone cliffs lined the opposite side of the lake and I spotted an eagle mixed in with a swarm of vultures. I caught a few sunfish before the festival opened and I had to leave.

I stopped at the park store to get snacks and mentioned to one of the staff that I saw an eagle flying over cliffs. She was very excited because eagles are endangered in Oklahoma and no one had seen one in the park for years.

I walked down to the creek below the dam, where it was empty of people. I caught more fish.

Day Four: Monday
The festival ended the day before, so the park was mostly empty. However, I was so worn out and tired that I left after lunch.

Posted on Οκτώβριος 23, 2018 1145 ΜΜ by cosmiccat cosmiccat | 3 παρατηρήσεις | 1 σχόλιο | Αφήστε ένα σχόλιο

Οκτώβριος 28, 2018

The Next Adventure: Rattlesnake Ridge & Pinnacle Mountain

I have plans for my next multi-day trip in May: Rattlesnake Ridge and Pinnacle Mountain in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Rattlesnake Ridge was opened earlier this year.

"The area provides habitat for three species of state conservation concern: the southeastern bat, the western diamondback rattlesnake, and Wright’s cliffbrake, a western desert fern. The ridge, Rattlesnake Ridge, is the watershed divide between the Big Maumelle and Little Maumelle rivers. It is comprised of a rare natural community, Ouachita Mountain Sandstone Outcrop Barrens, which is home to rare plants and animals typically found further west in hotter, drier places. "

http://www.naturalheritage.com/natural-areas/rattlesnake-ridge-natural-area

Pinnacle Mountain State Park is nearby. https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/pinnacle-mountain-state-park

I looked at the iNat data for the state park before typing this, and there are only four observations. What?! I'm going to have to fix that. ;p

I'll post more details when the time gets closer in case any Arkansas people want to join me.

Posted on Οκτώβριος 28, 2018 0302 ΠΜ by cosmiccat cosmiccat | 2σχόλια | Αφήστε ένα σχόλιο

Οκτώβριος 30, 2018

A new park is now open: Neches River NWR

On Saturday, Neches River NWR finally opened to the public! http://www.redriverradio.org/post/neches-river-national-wildlife-refuge-open-saturday

The refuge is between Jacksonville and Palestine.

Did you know there was a legal battle over this refuge? The City of Dallas wanted to seize the land to build a reservoir. http://www.ktre.com/story/12027021/victory-for-neches-river-national-wildlife-refuge/

I'll be there this weekend, looking for lots of cool critters.

Posted on Οκτώβριος 30, 2018 0226 ΠΜ by cosmiccat cosmiccat | 0σχόλια | Αφήστε ένα σχόλιο