• Avian,  landscape,  meadowlark,  natural areas,  prairie,  writing/reading

    Be Snake Awake

    Meadowlark perched on a fence post

    Last week somewhere around this spot a white tail doe bounced through the field heading towards the trees in the background. This scene looks very different than last week because the hay was up to her back, guessing it was 3-4 feet tall. The hay has been cut, baled and most of it taken and stacked in some hay barn awaiting the coming winter. Something else different in this scene is one of “my” meadowlarks sitting on the fence post, singing a good morning song. Also enjoyed the sun’s rays shining through the clouds.

    Beware sign at the trailhead leading into Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    This sign is located at the beginning of the trailhead, giving a fair warning. I have a friend who runs some of the trails along the foothills and says they have been seeing more snakes as we get closer to July and things warm up. These signs are important for those who are not familiar to the area and it’s dangers and a reminder to those who forget. I have only seen a couple of them over the past 20 years while exploring the trails. It’s a good idea to make a little noise just so they will scurry away.

  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  prairie

    A Walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    The trail leading into Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    I took a walk at a new natural area called Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. The map at the parking lot told me the loop I took was 2.8 miles. My Fitbit told me 6,551 steps, or 2.9 miles. My research when I got home said there are 9.6 miles of trails within the natural  area. I was blessed with meadowlarks, red-winged blackbirds, a hummer, swallows and robins offering me music without the need of an ipod. One jogger told he saw a couple of bobolinks.  Impressive fields of prairie grasses like waves across an ocean. I need to research these grasses and other plants I encounter as I have a tendency to look at them and say, “Ah, how pretty,” then move on. The clouds were gorgeous, constantly changing. Shadows falling across the mountains, constantly changing. I was impressed with this natural area and could find it a great place to get in some exercise in nature. There was several large trees throughout the area with one looking like it had a hawks nest with young ones in it. I couldn’t tell for sure without binoculars. I expect you will see more images from this location. 

    Going to meet a friend today for lunch at a local park, if it doesn’t rain. Have a super Awesome Monday!