January

 Seasons of the Limberlost 

This blog will show the changing seasons of the Limberlost Wetland area of Northeast Indiana. The Limberlost is made up of several properties, each month the blog will feature different areas. As the seasons change the photographs will show how the properties change.  

There will be photos taken at the exact same spot each month to show the progression of the seasons. There will also be additional photographs that show the unique features that make the Limberlost such a special place.  

The Limberlost was made famous by the writings of Gene Stratton Porter, a nature writer from the early 20th century. Her novels and nature studies highlighted the beauty and distinct nature of the area. 

White Oak Cemetery

This property boasts of beautiful wildflowers in the Springtime. There is a cemetery in the center of the property with graves dating back to the 1800s. There are Civil War Veterans buried here in this quiet place.

On this day, there were several Red-Bellied Woodpeckers making noise, along with White-Breasted Nuthatches and Tufted Titmouse. A Pileated Woodpecker was heard, but never seen.

White Oak Spot 1

This a wildflower meadow. Although right now in the dead of Winter

it is covered with dried leaves and bare trees. Come Spring it will come alive.

Trail that surrounds property - Remnants of the storm we had last week

Large trees on north side of property

Trail on north side of property - in spring the path is covered with MayApples

So think you can't walk through without stepping on them

Moss Covered Tree trunks

Lichen

White Oak Cemetery

Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve

This property is a true wetlands that has been reclaimed after the swamp was drained in the early 20th century. Once the tiles were removed the water returned along with the birds, waterfowl and animals that can now call this place home again.

Prairie looking south

I followed a deer path to get to this view point

Below you see the bed that the deer have been making here

Another beautiful view of the prairie looking through the remnants of the

Big Blue Stem grass that covers this area.  In the Spring the prairie comes

alive with native wildflowers

I stopped under a tree to write some notes. I heard squirrels chattering

all around. One persistent sound came from above. I looked up to see this guy

staring back at me. He was not happy, every time he made a sound his tail twitched.

I can only guess that I was blocking his exit path from the tree.

View overlooking the pond. Right now it has a layer of ice over it.

Upland Trail

One of my favorite spots on the Upland Trail. Four trees grew together to make

this cathedral.

 Turkey Tails growing on a dead tree

Uphill view along Upland Trail

Hope you enjoyed this New Year's Day hike!