January-Limberlost NP/Bird Sanctuary/Rainbow Bend

             There is a voice that doesn't use words.   -Rumi

Today's venture started at the Limberlost Nature Preserve.  It is located on what we call the County Line Rd.  This is 1100 South in Adams County and the northern most road in Jay County.

Limberlost Nature Preserve

This is the pond on the south side of the road, mostly covered with ice.



I no sooner pulled on the road than I saw an eagle fly off.  I spotted 3 eagles in the woods to the south and as I got my camera out (not sure why I am never prepared) I noticed a Mature Bald Eagle standing on the ice of the pond on the south side of the road.  It quickly flew away.  All in all I spotted five Bald Eagles along this road.

Close up of immature eagle on the left


As I drove down the road I saw this immature eagle in a tree by the pond with his back to me.


In the wetland area on the north side of the road there were lots of ducks, Canada Geese and one eagle standing on the ice (too far away to get a photo)


Bird Sanctuary
Next stop was the Bird Sanctuary.  It is on the same road only east of Highway 27.  It has a large wooded area next to an open prairie.  This property is connected to Music of the Wild.  I started my hike in the woods.  


This wooded area may look bleak and leaf strewn now, but wait until Spring when this area comes alive with beautiful wildflowers.  The forest floor will be covered with Jacob's Ladder, Spring Beauties, and Rue Anemone just to mention a few.  


This area may look barren and dead, but pull back the leaf litter and there is new growth.  Buds of green wildflowers and small brown mushrooms tucked underneath.


Turkey Tail Mushrooms ( Trametes versicolor)




Trails in the Prairie

It is much easier to spot game trails in the winter


A pond close to Music of the Wild



Two different trees on the same trail in the prairie, both showing scraps from deer.
Probably marking their territory or sharpening their antlers.



Back into the woods


Moss on the path



Rainbow Bend

The last property we are visiting today is the Rainbow Bend.  This is along the Wabash River close to the Ceylon Covered Bridge.  The river was named by the Miami Indians who called In Wa-Ba-Shik-Ka meaning "pure white".  So named for how clean and clear the water was that ran over the limestone bedrock of the river.  
The river here formed an oxbow bend as it curved around.  Once the Wabash River was dredged and channalized the river ran straight and no longer used the bend.  This area was memorialized in one of Gene Stratton Porter books the Song of the Cardinal.  








Lots of evidence of beaver activity along the river.






There are several large Sycamore Trees on this property,



The base of this tree is so big that five people can easy fit on the inside.



This started from a single base and then two trees grew from it.

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