Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center: May 2020

With COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed yesterday, it was time to get back to some nature and take some pictures. As an added bonus Taryn agreed to come with me as long as she was allowed to bring Ginny, which I of course had no issue with.  Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center allows dogs on a leash, so that's where we headed.

Much of the trail system is still flooded from spring rains, so we didn't get to walk a full loop.  I decided to focus on getting some wildflower shots for iNaturalist as a record of what's in bloom now, starting with this Western Horsenettle.

Engelmann Daisy

Japanese Honeysuckle, which I could smell well before I could see it.

A fortunate spot just off the trail -- a ton of pill bugs going to town on a fallen log.

I was granted my customary one picture of the daughter.  I still vividly remember the hikes we took together back in the summer of 2008 after I left the Broncos, when she didn't mind having her picture taken so much.

Pink Evening Primrose

False Dandelion

Texas Thistle just starting to bloom.

Orange Sulphur nectaring on a Pinklady, with a tiny beetle I didn't even notice in person.

This Eastern Phoebe really wanted me to leave so it could eat.

It only took us about an hour to walk the trails that aren't flooded.  I'm blessed that my teenager is still willing to do this stuff!  Some of it likely has to do with six weeks of quarantine, but I'll still take it.

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, Part II

My hike along the Dogwood Trail had proven that yes, Virginia, there is fall foliage in Texas in late November. After arriving at the Trout Pond I still had about three hours of light left to enjoy it.

This was only the second time I'd taken Ginny hiking in our five years in Texas.  It was like riding a bike for her.  I let her off leash numerous times, and she always stayed within about 30 feet of me as she explored.

As the sun dropped, more and more backlit subjects presented themselves.

I am virtually powerless against the urge to take pictures of backlit leaves.

It's a weakness, but one I really don't mind having.

There was an odd charred tree trunk right in the middle of otherwise healthy forest.  It looked like a Scottish Terrier to me.

If crossing a wooden footbridge covered in leaves doesn't make you feel like you're going on an adventure, I honestly don't know what will.

We next tackled the Lakeview Loop.  Brim Pond was almost completely still and provided some interesting reflections.

I think I prefer this broader view of the pond.

I love the vibrancy of the sky, lake, and leaves in this scene.

One last stop back at the park entrance to capture these majestic oak trees, and then 138 miles back to home.

Everything about the visit was great -- the weather, the foliage, the hikes, and getting to be outside with Ginny again.  Truly things to be thankful for on the Saturday before Thanksgiving!

Related Links:

• Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, Part I
• Tyler State Park, Part I 
• Tyler State Park, Part II

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, Part I

I couldn't believe it had been three years since I took Ginny out to Tyler State Park for a fall foliage hike. But Facebook said it had been that long since I shared some of those pictures. And Facebook never lies, right?

Anyway...

The point is I was long overdue to get out and try and shoot some more fall color. I called Lake Bob Sandlin State Park last Friday, and the helpful ranger on the phone said the color was still excellent. So Ginny, my cameras, and I hopped in the car Saturday morning and headed east.

I had to pull the car over and get out to shoot this turkey in Mt. Vernon.  Quality use of a hay bale.

I decided to hike the Dogwood Trail to the Trout Pond first.  The weather was perfect -- warm, dry, and only a light breeze.  And there was, indeed, color on the trail. :)

Beautyberry was new for me.  I had no idea what the bright purple berries were, but they practically begged to have their pictures taken.

With Ginny on a leash I considered not trying to also carry a second camera with my zoom lens.  But I was glad I did to capture some of the close-up color.

Just seeing so much leaf litter, smelling it in the air, hearing the crunch, and feeling the soft slipperiness under my feet was wonderfully therapeutic.  The only sense I didn't use was taste!

After 1.6 miles on the trail, we reached the Trout Pond.  It was clear we'd missed peak foliage, but enough trees still had their leaves to make for a pretty scene.

The reflections of the Bald Cypress trunks kept drawing my eye.  The trees had already dropped their needles...

...but there were enough floating on the water to make an interesting visual.

Did I mention I was drawn to the cypress trunks?

Drawing my eye wasn't enough.  I ended up walking around the pond and getting right up to the water's edge by the trees for a different angle.


Related Links:

• Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, Part II
• Tyler State Park, Part I 
• Tyler State Park, Part II

Staunton State Park

Got Zak and Ginny out for a hike today. Destination: Staunton State Park to do the 10.8-mile roundtrip trek to the Elk Falls Overlook, which was validated as an excellent choice by the guy at the Chick-fil-A drive-through window when we picked up breakfast.

Forecast called for thunderstorms rolling in fairly early.  So hitting the trailhead around 10:30 seemed like we would be racing the weather.  I took advantage of the good weather at the start to shoot some wildflowers like this milk thistle, figuring I might have the cameras in the backpack before too long.

Alpine Goldenrod with a helpful pollinator, if not necessarily an attractive one.

Black Eyed Susan, which I've been told my Aunt Susie referred as a "Black-Eyed Me" when she was a little girl.

Bee balm with a diligent bumblebee.  Clouds had rolled in at this point and I couldn't quite get the depth of field I wanted in the lower light.

Mariposa Lily.

Richardson's Geranium.

It actually takes at least three trails to get to the overlook.  This peaceful creek runs alongside the Bugling Elk Trail.

We had our heaviest rain right when we got to the overlook.  And as much I hate to say it, I was underwhelmed by the view.  The falls are around 300 feet tall, but more than a quarter of a mile away.  Didn't really get a view or a good photo.

Zak and Ginny did give me a pose when the rain abated a bit.  But with thunder still rumbling we didn't stick around up at 9,150 feet too long.

Fortunately, the clouds moved in a different direction than the one we were heading and we had some nice sun when we got back to Elk Falls Pond.

Zak has figured out how best to spend time while I'm fiddling with my camera.  Of course, it does leave him vulnerable to shots like this one.

The pond was pretty, and other folks were taking advantage of the unexpected afternoon sun to just relax on its shore.

The park is just a little more than a year old, and everything from the facilities to the trail signs is still nice and shiny.  Homespun touches like this are nice, too.

As final resting places go, this rusting piece of old farming equipment didn't do too badly.

We kept nervously checking the skies, but managed to get back to the car with just a few random sprinkles.  Despite a bit of a disappointing payoff at the overlook the hike was great.  Only about 1,000 feet of elevation gain and very few steep stretches, well-maintained trails, and of course the beautiful Colorado outdoors.  And just a 40-minute drive from our house.  I recommend paying a visit!

Gothic Road

I convinced Zak to join me and Ginny for some snowshoeing on our third day in Crested Butte. Josh recommended Gothic Road as being a nice length -- six miles to the town of Gothic and back -- but not especially steep. That seemed like a great combination, so we saddled up and headed out.

The trailhead was less than 10 minutes from our condo, and that proximity to scenic beauty and outdoor activity is one of the things I love about Crested Butte.  Gothic Road is a normal paved road that simply isn't maintained in the winter.

Great view back to Mt. Crested Butte from the road.

The East River Valley stretched out beautifully below us.

I'm really getting drawn to aspen groves.  There's a simple elegance to them -- especially in winter -- that intrigues me.

Mt. Gothic itself soon came into sight, with the southeast face presenting a different view than the classic pyramid you can see from town.

Continuing toward the town, the east side of Mt. Gothic looms stark and steep.

The three hikers at our destination.  It took several takes before Ginny would actually look at the camera.  The early signs of the wonderful sunburn I ended up with are already visible on my nose.  You'd think after living in this state for 17 years I'd remember to wear sunscreen.

We did our best to obey the speed limit.  At four hours to cover the six miles, we were pretty safe!