Ozark/Buffalo National River Arkansas Run
I am most probably making a run up to the Upper Buffalo National River/Northern Ozark area of Arkansas the week of August 6th and thought I would throw it out here to see if anyone had an interest in joining in at some point. I know it's short notice, but figured I would throw this out here and see if anyone has any interest of exploring outside of Texas. I will be going that way regardless. I thought it may be novel to NOT be the only one taking pictures of any and everything I see whilst roaming there.
The area is full of trails, both long and short, that are mostly very well shaded with cool water mountain streams and rivers always close by. Plus the added draw of grotto's, waterfalls and the odd small cave (which are some of the few open in the Ozarks outside of show caves). Which are all a big draw to me right now with this lovely "balmy" weather we are currently enjoying in TX.
I tend to sleep in Jasper Arkansas and iNat around the Newton County area, up and down the Boxley Scenic Drive area to Ponca and over to Jasper. I always seem to find something new every time I hit the area. Here's my obv's so far.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=1391&user_id=oddfitz&verifiable=any&view=species
Yes, I know I have a salamander problem.... And there is a small pond in the Henry Koen Experimental Forest that was loaded with Spotted sally egg masses early in the year, that I want to check back on. I haven't hit the odonata's as hard as I should have in the area, not to mention the plants (shush @sambiology), as I tend to get sidetracked on the herps (I still need to find a Pygmy Rattlesnake there).
Jasper is a small town with a few small family run hotels that tend to cater to hikers, canoers and bikers. Not the Ritz, but bed and showers type places, plus a couple of good cafes in town. There is also the Steel Creek campground next to Ponca for any that may prefer a tent.
https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/camping.htm
Copying many that I have meet over the course of the last year or so as well as many of those that will be mothing this week. I'll be at Strawn Friday and Saturday am if anyone wants to chat in person or respond here if there is any interest.
@sambiology @annikaml @cgritz @kimberlietx @brentano @tfandre @tadamcochran @walkingstick2 @wildcarrot @butterflies4fun @catenatus @galactic_bug_man @aguilita @andyk @cwd912nb @cameralenswrangler @greg1414 @daniel112 @fiddleman @drtifflipsett @bob777 @jblinde @rehb @charley @lkholt @k8thegr8 @itmndeborah @birdsbatsandbugs @katelyn3 @kalamurphyking @mchlfx @sammyjames @mnbrewer @cdroz105 @littlebitt_of_nature @fratto @valt @jwn @schylerbrown @sara39 @cosmiccat @lbullington24 @gcwarbler @briangooding @sarahg @justjenny7 @bosqueaaron @postoak @spqnancy @betsymarsh @dorothy12 @lovebirder @amynature @daricrogers @apcorboy @naturemom @greglasley @lulubelle @pfau_tarleton @mikeintyler @nanofishology @alisonnorthup @hydaticus
P. S. What I would really like, if there were two or three folks who were adventurous and not claustrophobic who may want to spend a day over in Stone County at Blanchard Springs Caverns Recreation area about an hour and a half east of Jasper. The cave is managed by the US Forest Service and is amazing. I have been on the basic Dripstone Trail in the cave as the longer Discovery Trail is only open from June to August due to the bats that hibernate there. But I'd like to go on the Wild cave tour to see if we can turn up any troglobite species. I was fortunate enough to get shots of an Ozark Blind Grotto Salamander and a species of troglobite Harvestman on the upper short trail. But from what I understand this cave has pseudoscorpions, a type of beetle and other "creepy crawlies" further in.... Speaking to a couple of the rangers who work the cave, they have also seen the occasional cave crawfish. The area surround the cave and spring is amazing and has lots of observation opportunities as well.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/osfnf/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5351305
