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Borrego Springs, CA

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Escatawpa Nature Trail

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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.

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

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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.

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                                                             I also found this trefoil of mushrooms.

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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.

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

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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!  Winking smile  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. 

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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.  Rolling on the floor laughing

 

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

20 comments:

  1. Those helicopter seeds are unusual. Great picture. What a nice hike...thanks for the virtual tour!

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  2. My fisherman just arrived home. Wonder if he caught anything today. Definitely remember your water. Dehydration is not a good thing for either you or Emma. Jim caught a couple of nice bass but it was catch and release.

    Love your pictures.

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  3. I love boardwalks through trails like that. The red of those seed pods if just gorgeous!!
    Enjoy the fishing...I haven't been in years and really miss it!

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  4. I remember the helicopters turning from green to a rusty color, but that red is a beautiful and unusual color to me also. You can either carry your water jug or learn to get down and lap it up with Emma!

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  5. I have never seen red helicopters. They are just beautiful. Thanks for sharing your walk.

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  6. I poked around in Google images a bit, and think the red helicopter seeds are from a "Swamp Maple" also called a "Red Swamp Maple."

    Out here all the helicopter seeds are a dull brown :`(

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  7. Loving the flower pictures! The helicopters are very pretty, but a reminder of the yard work that Hubster wants to stop by and do... we have two dastardly maple trees that usually put out so many of the nasty helicopters that he uses his shopvac to get them all! Otherwise our yard would be a forest of maple trees since we're gone in the summer and not there to pluck them when we see them sprout!

    Always take your water girl!!!

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  8. Always love to see the early signs of Spring.

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  9. I think whoever it was that said women don't sweat, they just perspire hasn't done enough work to know. I for one sweat! When it is running down your face and back I think that has gone beyond perspiring & that's ok with me, means everything is working the way it should. The photo of the red maple seed pods is so cool!

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  10. Whew, glad you weren't tempted to carve your initials on the bench. I like boardwalk paths that keep my feet dry! Great pictures of all the colors on your walk.

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  11. Beautiful pictures. I have been to that rest area several times- wish I had known the trail was there.

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  12. Boardwalks are my favorite. I have been seeing bunches of those red maples. I couldn't decide if they were red maples, sugar maples or if they might be swamp maples. Glad you settled it for me. Emma sure looks happy on your hike.

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  13. Beautiful pictures Judy! Your new header photo is fantastic!

    John
    relaxedrush.blogspot.com

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  14. I've never seen such color on Maple seed pods before...what a great walk you two had...

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  15. Beautiful photos as usual, Judy. That sure looks like what we'd call a puffball up here (instead of a mushroom). They are great fried up in some butter.I wish we had more boardwalks up here. This time of year it gets very muddy!

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  16. You go Judy, teaching fishing, the bird lady can do anything!

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  17. As usual, most enjoyable pictures. I really enjoy your Blog. You sure are having a good time. Keep it up ☺

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  18. I really like those boardwalks. It was great that Emma got to go too! Amazing photos!

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  19. If you don't like carrying the water jug, get a small daypack, or a waist belt that holds bottles.

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  20. Beautiful pics -- every time I see someone's name carved where it should not be, I can't help but think of the old phrase, "Fools names & fools faces always appear in public places." The brilliancy of the red of the seed pods is amazing. Great post.

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