Category Archives: Nature

The Wild

Creature Feature 2018 #3

The lake was all silted up from all the recent rains, but all that runoff raised up the water level so I could get into more of the nooks & crannies around the lake.

It’s definitely the Time of the Dragon, Dragon Flies, that is:

This one probably just emerged: that looks like their shed larval skin on the branch:


The Geese have definitely been busy. I came across a large group of Gooselets (and just a few adults) along the shore. They split up (perhaps with all those little ones, I made them nervous), pretty much evenly, and while one group went into the woods, this group continued along the shore. I suspect the met up later.

I’ve said it before, just when I think I’ve seen all the lake has to show me, nature throws something else at me. As I was paddling up one of those little crannies, I saw two large birds moving around in the trees. I first thought “hawk”, but once I got to where I could actually see one, I realized this was something new (to me).


Given that I saw two of them (Barred Owls, I believe), and this one was keeping a real close eye on me, I didn’t want to approach too close in case they had a nest nearby.

Of course, we have the obligatory Great Blue Heron picture; this one had just taken off: they generally fold their necks a few seconds after takeoff.

followed up by a nice full-stall landing. You can see how the airflow has separated across her wings.

Creature Feature 2018 #2

It was a cool-ish (for the end of April) rather overcast day, but I was Finally able to get out the lake for the first time this season.

Everything had turned green in the meantime, and a lot of stuff was still blooming:


The Ospreys are back at their nest on the intake structure (you can just see the head above the nest):

Of course, all the usual inhabitants are still out there, like these Geese (got a bit of a bow wave going there):

And, of course, the obligatory Great Blue Heron picture. This one is notable because she’s coming towards me which, for some mysterious reason, is rather rare:

Got a lot of pixels on that one. As usual, click on the picture to get to a full-resolution version.

Lake Rabon Park

Snuck in a walk in the woods at the Lake Rabon park this morning before the weather moves in.

I noted that more of the trails are now graveled (it’s a rural area, not wilderness, so I guess they have to). Fortunately, there’s still some dirt trails:


With the recent rains, it looks like there’s decent water flow through the lake and into the creek below:

That’s a bit of a climb up from the bottom to the top of the dam.

Somehow I’m reminded of a song when I go by this area, where the Highway 252 bridge goes over the creek:

Sung to the tune of “Under the Boardwalk” by the drifters:

Oh when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the road
And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet would take a swim
Under the highway, down by the creek, yeah
On a rock with my baby is where I’ll be

(under the highway) out of the sun
(Under the highway) we’ll be havin’ some fun
(Under the highway) people driving above
(Under the highway) we’ll be catchin’ fish
Under the highway, highway!

Cold Creature Feature 2018 #1

The title says it all: cold.


It’s pretty rare that we get ice on the lake here like that. I took a cautious step onto the ice, about 30cm from the shore and about 4-5cm of water depth. It was probably frozen all the way to the bottom, but I still broke (or cracked) the ice. Don’t try this at home, especially if you’re heavier than a small corvid.

For all the cold and ice, the wildlife is still here. This Kingfisher was still fishing:

and ducks were still out on the water.

And, of course, the obligatory Great Blue Heron picture:

Creature Feature 2017 #5

Been a while since I had time for the camera, so here’s some catch-up.
The seasons have been changing while I was busy, but there’s still a lot going on out there, or even right here. This Red Fox visited my back yard the other day:

This morning started out foggy. And then it got a bit thicker (I was navigating by ear at one point):

I think these conditions meet most of the criteria to be called absolutely atrocious for photography, but I did manage to get a picture of our Bald Eagle flying in the fog (apparently flying VFR, but this is class G airspace):

The Spiders have been eating up other insects all summer, and fall is their time (looks like this area is decorated for Halloween, but I’m sure the Spiders don’t care about that):


This Killdeer was just across the water from the Spider enclave, and was being very vocal:

A few Turtles were out taking in some late-season sun:

Speaking about late-season, some fall flowers are out now:

Heading back down the lake, I spotted someone in the water:

Oh! Otters (don’t miss the two under the bank to the left)!

Obligatory Great Blue Heron picture:

Eclipse 2017

My solar power production took a hit this afternoon:

and I suspect that this was typical across just about all of South Carolina. There was a bit of temperature drop at the same time:

Even with the solar power drop, it looks like the utility companies were prepared:

Yes, this was the Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017. I had the fortune to spend it with family members and have the broken clouds get out of the way just in time to see the total eclipse and corona. Amazing.

Creature Feature 2017 #4

It seemed like things were pretty quiet around the lake this morning. We’re coming up on deep summer, the breeding season is winding down, and there’s plenty of food around. A good time to just sit back and relax a bit.

Humans, however, never seem to let up. I suppose if you mow hay on a hillside enough, a roll is bound to get away.

As I was working my way up the lake, I spotted a bird rather high up. From the size, I just assumed he was a Great Blue Heron, and tried to get a picture. A bird high up in the sky is a difficult photo target, because they’re small, and the bright sky can obscure any detail of the bird. Anyway, once I got a look at the picture, I wasn’t so sure about my identification.

A while later, as I was thinking I wasn’t going to see anything special today, I saw a large bird on the side of the lake, apparently well into brunch.

Ah, that’s what I saw up high, and yes, that was no Heron.

Yeah, a Bald Eagle, right here in Laurens County.

Creature Feature 2017 #3

Finally got back out on the lake today.
I’m not sure where the creature was that created this, but I’m sure she’s around somewhere:

The lake itself might not be considered a “creature”, but it does change over time. This area used to have navigable water all the way up into the trees in the background, but over the last few months has accumulated a good bit of silt:

which has formed an almost square sharp shelf where the water runs out of the delta:

Fortunately, these mud flat areas are very productive, and many take advantage of that:

A group of Red-Winged Blackbirds was working the trees along the lake:

Probably taking advantage of all the Mayflies hanging around:

Common Grackles were also getting a piece of the action:

A walk in the woods, pt. 2

I didn’t really plan this around Earth Day, but today was a rare day with no pressing obligations. I thought about taking the kayak out, but with a forecast of increasing winds through the morning, I decided to return to Croft State Park and take a more extensive look around. I got there a bit before opening time, but the gates were open so I deposited my admission and proceeded.

Since I was planning to spend quite a while on foot, I decided to forgo my Good Camera and rely on the cell phone, which doesn’t do too bad a job and I needed to take it with me anyway. Any other weight I was carrying went into food and water.

I hadn’t been out of the car but a few minutes when I heard a knocking up in the trees. I followed the sound and found a Pileated Woodpecker working the tree. Unfortunately, with the early light and just my cellphone, there was no way to get a picture. But it was neat watching her for a while. If you’ve never seen one of these birds, they’re One Big Woodpecker. About as big as a full-grown crow.

Things were a lot greener than when I was there the first of the month. I took the Fosters Mill loop trail to the Rocky Ridge trail (as usual, click on the picture for a higher-resolution version):

Most of the rocks I saw were down in the creek, but there was a good bit of “ridge” along this trail:

A short side spur takes one to a place called Whitestone Springs:

where there used to be a hotel and bottling business, but that’s all long gone:

Now it’s just a really nice place to sit and rest for a bit; here’s a little video:
VID_20170422_091642433
Rocky Ridge winds it’s way back to the Foster’s Mill loop trail.

which intersects with the Lake Johnson loop trail that takes you to, you guessed it, Lake Johnson. This is the smaller lake I didn’t get to see last time:

As I came around the lake I pretty much came out of the woods and encountered my first major gathering of humans around the boat ramps and picnic areas. I passed a couple of other hikers earlier, but aside from them, I had the place to myself, primate-wise. Of course, I really wasn’t alone out there.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to get back into the woods. I found a nice spot to stop for lunch along that trail. Just remember, everything is “to go” (leave nothing, take nothing):

Butterflies were much in evidence as the day warmed up:

I know I said “leave nothing, take nothing”, but it’s hard not to leave a few footprints, or take a few cobwebs that cross the path. This cobweb wasn’t hard to avoid. That it was bouncing in the gusting wind made it even easier to spot:

This area was used for army training back in WWII days, and there are frequent warnings to stick to the trails, as there may still be unexploded munitions laying around. This tree seemed to take exception to it’s role in holding up those signs:

Back to the other, larger, Lake Craig, where a few hardy canoeists were out in the wind:

With all the twists and turns, especially on the Rocky Ridge trail, I didn’t think a GPS track would come close to an accurate distance, but based on ded reckoning (my typical speed x time), I figure I covered about 14 miles during the almost 5 hours I spent in the woods. I’d call it time well spent, and a good sort of “tired”. And “hungry”…

A walk in the woods, pt. 1

I’m always up for a walk in the woods, but there’s not that many places nearby to really get out in the woods. I found one that’s not too far away, Croft State Park in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. There are literally miles and miles of trails, plus a nice lake (there’s really two, but I only had a chance to see one on this trip):

I wandered around some and found myself following the Beech Tree Trail,


The trail was well marked, and there was even a native guide to make sure I saw the blaze:

Butterflies were all over the place too:

I even learned something about horses. Most all the trails are multi-use, and towards the end of my walk I encountered a couple groups of horses. I stepped aside for one pair, and was politely asked by the lead rider to step out from the bushes I had gotten behind. Seems horses don’t like that, as it looks like I’m trying to set up an ambush.

I’m impressed with the extensive network of trails, if I only had time to sample a small section. Even at that, it was the worth the $2 admission, and the staff I encountered (a fellow named Jay) was quite helpful and friendly. As you can see from the web site there’s a lot of other things there too.

If you’re going to be in the area for the solar eclipse later this year, you might want to add on a day or two and pay a visit.

Update: Here’s an overview of the park:

My little walk took me across the dam at the bottom of the larger lake (the lower right corner in this picture), and across the next valley, and along part way up the other side before looping back up to the lake.