Escatawpa Nature Trail

This afternoon, Emma and I headed out for one of the refuge complex’s trails to document the wildflower blooms this week.  The Escatawpa Nature Trail is located at the far end of the westbound Mississippi Welcome Center along I-10 (just this side of the Alabama border).  I think that’s kind of an unusual location for a National Wildlife Refuge Trail, and I don’t think many people take advantage of the two miles of trails available at this location.

We took advantage of all three trails, including this boardwalk trail over the wet pine savannah.

That’s where the pitcher plants (on the right) had sent buds up, and we found these other interesting plants that I’ll have to look up for identification.

                                                             I also found this trefoil of mushrooms.

After the boardwalk, we headed down the loop trail though a slightly drier area, and found more small blooms to investigate.  Next time I do this trail it will be in the morning because there’s not much shade along the way, and it was a very warm afternoon.  I guess you could say it was a hot day for a black dog!  Luckily, Emma was able to find several areas of clear standing water to slack her thirst.  My jug of water was left back in the vehicle.  I should have carried it with me.

Half way along that trail we arrived at an overlook of the Escatawpa River.  It was a welcome rest stop along the way.

Emma flopped down on the deck, and I enjoyed the bench in the shade with a light breeze blowing.  It’s been said that women don’t sweat, but only perspire.  Well, I can tell you that I perspired a great deal!    So much so, that I could have used windshield wipers on my glasses!  I could tell that not many people hiked out to this peaceful overlook since there weren’t any initials carved into the wood of the deck.  I don’t know why people feel they have to deface places with their names or initials. 

On the second half of the trail back to the parking lot, I came upon my favorite find of the hike.  I think this is a red maple.  Being from the north, I’ve grown up with maple trees and their ‘helicopter’ seeds, but I’ve never seen such brilliantly red seed pods in my life.  They just glowed in the sunlight.  What a visual treat that was!

 

I also had some nice bird observations today, but I’ll save those for another post.  Tomorrow I’m off to Grand Bay NWR to help with an educational program for underprivileged youth.  Looks like I may be teaching fishing.  Should be an interesting day, to say the least. 

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy