Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve = Winter in the Woods 1-28-23

While I wait in the long season of Winter, I decide to walk in the woods.  What better way to embrace the interlude between Fall and Spring.  Snow fall created a blanket on the landscape in Winter White.  

What treasures would I discover as I traipsed the terrain?

With an inquisitive Spirit and a keen eye, I hope to uncover the mysteries that the Woods keeps.

The day held hope, with a temp of 27* and no wind blowing the early morning hike promised to be a treasure..

View of the Prairie from the north.  The wet snow had weighed
down the Big Blue Stem.


Trail on north side of property along woods
(East side of road)



Raccoon and bunny tracks in the snow



I stopped for a few minutes to take these pictures, suddenly there was movement off to my left.  A bunny was hopping off into the woods.  He must have been hidden in the grass and just
couldn't stay still anymore.  He continued hopping off until he was safely away from me.

The snow makes it much easier to see the game trails and the tracks of the deer that use them..



Lots of deer tracks on the open trail in the prairie


A little bit of open water on the other side of the pond

Into the Woods on the Upland Trail
What mystery does the Woods hold?

The deer use the trails as much as the humans do.  When you see the pile of downed trees in the Woods (below) you can understand why they take the path of least resistance. 


Game trail through the Woods




A skewered leaf hanging suspended in the air



Some small creature is using this little crevice in the tree as his home.  
Evidenced by the small wood shavings at the entrance. 


The sun is making an appearance through the clouds

The footprints around the trunk of this tree looked suspicious
Was someone making this its home?

A closer look revealed another mystery
Did the animal die here or was it someone's meal?



Something digging in the snow?

A woodpecker digging for bugs
I heard several  Red-Bellied Woodpeckers in the woods


Closer examination


Even closer examination of the drilled hole 


Back to the prairie heading west 


The Sun still trying to shine

Even more game trails in the prairie
The Marsh supports a herd of deer





Driving south past the parking lot we viewed what is commonly known as 
The Eagle Tree
It is not uncommon to see one or two Bald Eagles sitting here
They are very tolerant of our presence





Of course he kept his eye on me as I drove beneath and stepped out to take this photo

What a good day to be in the Woods.  


Melissa Fey


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Yellows - Early Morning Hike at Loblolly Marsh NP

Image
 September 2, 2024 Labor Day - Early morning hike at Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve Words and photos by Melissa Fey I was excited to wake up early this morning, long before the sun thought about rising.  I hurried to the marsh, donned by Muck Boots and hit the trail.  I like to make this hike at least once a year, normally in late Summer.   You see this is when the 'Yellows' are blooming.  (you will soon see what I am talking about) Yes, it was cold this morning, 52*.  But after the heat of last week, if felt refreshing.  I was out of the parking lot by 6:45am, plenty of time to get to the where I wanted to be to watch the sun rise.   This trail doesn't have a name, that I know of.  I starts just south of the bridge over the Loblolly Creek going east following the creek until there is a ditch coming in from the south, It didn't take long before the wildflowers were lining the trail. False Sunflower Canada Goldenrod Pokeweed (okay not a sunflower) Field Thistle Wingstem
Read more

White Oak Cemetery - February 4, 2023

Image
White Oak Cemetery Jackson Township, Jay County Indiana on 850N just west of 250W On this cold Winter day I chose to walk the quiet solitude of the White Oak Cemetery.   The sun made for the feeling    of warmth, although it wasn't.  As I walked down the winding lane to the cemetery I could hear a Pileated Woodpecker and White Breasted Nuthatches.  As I entered the cemetery a group of Juncos flew from the graves into the bushes.  A single Robin could be heard calling. I had disturbed their quiet foraging in this sacred place.  I wished I had  brought some paper and pencil to do grave rubbings (not robbings).  It was difficult to read much of the lettering.  It was necessary to look from above or the side to see the words clearly.  So much of the information was lost to time and the elements.  Find-a-grave listed 126 graves.  But that does not really tell the story of the White Oak Cemetery.  Yes, the graveyard is surrounded by White Oak trees.  Many of them extremely large which at
Read more

Sunrise at the Marsh

Image
  Sunrise at the Marsh Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve Sunday March 5, 2023   Prose and Photos by Melissa Fey I walked the road south knowing there would be little or no traffic. The road was flooded and only the foolish would attempt crossing it. The trees were filled with Red-winged Blackbirds.   Their songs were loud and boisterous. They were at the top of the trees to catch the first morning light. As I walked I recorded the sounds of the Blackbirds along with Song Sparrows, Mourning Doves, American Tree Sparrows, American Robins and, of course, the Canada Goose. Have you ever heard the thumping noise of the wings of the Canada Goose as they take off over water? It is quite impressive. I also heard the wing beats of the Song Sparrows as they flew past me.   This is what the stillness   of the morning will allow you to hear. After passing the bridge over the Loblolly Creek, I noticed the sun peaking over the horizon.   As I continued to walk, the sun rose higher in its ma
Read more