Animal Tracks in the Snow and Winter Walk Off

It's cold outside! Brrrrr! While the south and most of the country is in a deep freeze I thought this would be the perfect time to share some snow track pictures. 

Ever wonder what animals roam around your house? It's hard to find out unless you see or hear them. With the recent snow I went for a nice snow walk along our property trails and wow, what fun! The animals have been busy roaming around. Just look at all the deer tracks along our trail in the woods. The funny thing is while I know the deer are here I never see them.

I find rabbit scat quite often so I definitely know they are here. Their paw prints are rather cute. The wider footprints would be their hind legs with their front paws the smaller prints. In the above picture this rabbit would be coming toward the camera.

More rabbit prints.

I am not sure what made these prints but I surmise it was a squirrel. I see squirrels all the time. Sometimes there will be five running all around a tree in the forest.

Deer prints along the trail.

This trail travels down a long and fairly steep hill. It is apparently a favorite haunt of the deer as we can tell from all these prints. I don't blame them because hey, it's cleared! I was surprised I did not find some turkey prints here. We like our trails so we can get around the property but there is also another reason for trails--they are good for wildlife and can be a part of a conservation plan. 

When walking in our woods for the first time we (Mr. Fix-it and I) followed deer trails. At the time we were not familiar with the all the man made trails and they were mostly overgrown anyhow. Any trail where you don't have to walk into greenbriar is great and the deer and other wildlife think so too. Following deer trails help prevent snags in briar of all sorts as we found out. At some point we'll be able to clear most of our trails where we can have access to all of the property. 

Note the skid mark on the right side of the picture? Even deer can lose their footing on slippery hills.

This is an up close picture of the deer prints. The size of the deer was quite variable. I could tell there were little ones and big ones.

I have no idea what made these prints and if any of you all know please chime in. Maybe a bird of some kind? We have hawks, vultures, crows, and all sorts of birds. If a bird made these tracks it was possibly a big bird.

These are cat prints. I have three cats and from time to time they venture out into the snow-tho they don't stay long! When I walked out to the mailbox one of the cats followed me for a bit. His tracks were quite different from this as he was jumping along behind me instead of walking. I followed some of the cat tracks and they went straight to a wood pile where a rabbit and voles live. No surprise there.

It is said when you visit a place like the forest you should "Take nothing but pictures (or memories),  leave nothing but your footprints, kill nothing but time." I don't know who came up with this but it very fitting for nature walks. I take this very seriously. If you do this then in return you will be rewarded tenfold by the beauty and special moments found....

in the garden....

I am going to enter this post in Les's Winter Walk Off post as this one works and is timely. It has been awhile since I participated in his walk offs but this will be the year now that we are finally getting settled. Les has beautiful photographs of the Tidewater area of Virginia. Visit his Winter Walk Off post here. 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Phinizy Swamp

BY SKEETER

Geocaching adventures recently took The Saint and I to nearby Phinizy Swamp. I thought that I had talked about this wonderful place at some point but could not find any links here on this blog.  

 I cannot believe I have never talked about this place with you as it is a nature lovers paradise here in GEORGIA! Maybe I have mentioned this place before but the memory is lacking these days.

 Each time we visit the Swamp, we find interesting things such as these old Snake Eggs.

 Our walk took us by an old cemetery we never knew about until this day. The bricks of the wall were crumbling from time and I was happy to see a fence erected for preservation of this sacred ground. It could use some TLC in the weed department though.

 We spotted this small skull. Any guesses on what critter? Raccoon maybe, an Opossum?

 Blossoms were blooming on this beautiful sunny day in January.

 Spanish Moss drapes on the trees within the swamp.

 The Swamp is alive with life such as Egret.

And Turtles.

  With some green colors as well.

 Love this bright green in the swamp.

 Spanish Moss was blowing with a light breeze making the trees seem to dance.

 One can observe the swamp from above while strolling along a boardwalk.

 This Swamp is an overflow from the Savannah River. The nearby Water Treatment Plant of Augusta has holding ponds in the area. The Swamp and ponds act as a natural filtering system. We spotted a rather large alligator sunning within one of the holding ponds.

 And a second alligator taking a swim!

 Birds were sunning in the holding ponds.

We believe these birds to be Cormorants. Click HERE to learn more about Cormorants. We had a great day and must have walked over 5 miles if not more! This place is a jewel and we love PHINIZY SWAMP, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Euchee Creek and Bartram Trail

BY SKEETER

Geocaching has taken the Saint and I to many places near our GEORGIA GARDENS the past two months. One such place is by the lake at the Bartram Trail. 18th Century naturalist William Bartram explored the southern route from March 1773-January 1777. His trail led him through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee.

Click HERE to see more.

Walking along the Bartram Trail back in early December, we had a nice fresh cover of leaves on the ground.

This lone leaf was still attached to its tree on that day. Sweet Gum I believe.

Greens were popping up through the carpet of leaves.

We spotted a flock of turkey but they also spotted us so did not hang around for a good photo op. Here you can see 3 heads just before they disappeared behind the ridge with the rest of the flock.

A magnolia tree growing out in the middle of no where!

A beautiful Fern greeted us in the woods.

We past our favorite Boat Ramp which you can see remains out of water with our drought. Looks more like a pond then a lake at this point. Rain coming today but we are already 4 inches behind for this year! This makes year 4 of this drought cycle. Sigh...

We also walked the Euchee Creek Greenway. This trail is an ongoing trail system linking many different parks in our county.

The trail is in the middle of a swamp type area running along Euchee Creek. Swamp that is, when we have rain.

Euchee creek was happy with water.

 During this Geocaching Day, we somehow followed our coordinates the wrong way to the cache. This log became our bridge across Euchee Creek. The Saint was across and then I preceded to cross the fallen log. I was half way across the creek when I froze up! I could not seem to get my feet to walk forward or go backwards. I was not scared per say, more like I did not want to fall into the cold water on a January Day! The Saint came to my rescue and led me on across one step at a time. The step off was a bit slippery and hilly. Needless to say, I could not go back that same way so we walked along the creek for some time looking for another way across. We found a larger log that I felt better about crossing even being much higher from the water. Again, the Saint let me use his shoulders for balance and we took it one small step at a time. We got a good laugh from that experience and I have since purchased a nice long sturdy walking stick for assistance in the future.   

This spot is along one of our favorite walking spots. We never knew this little rolling water spot was there until Caching took us a bit off the beaten path for a closer peek! This is why we enjoy this new hobby of Geocaching so much.

The Saint and I found many Caches while Geocaching along EUCHEE CREE AND BARTRAM TRAIL, In the Garden...

 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Fort Campbell's Clarksville Base Trail

I have spoken of my walking trail before, and will again as it is the best kept little 'secret' on Fort Campbell. Those of us who live close by have a real gem in this roadmarch/ruck march/walking route at Clarksville Base on Fort Campbell. This is a most treasured spot for me to commune with nature and today I'll take you along.
I was first introduced to this route when having to complete the 12 mile roadmarch as part of the 18th Airborne Corps requirements. Little did I know that despite: the blisters, the pain, and the blur of simply trudging along praying I would make the time and not collapse due to the physical toll this roadmarch took on my body; that this route would become such a favored part of my life. Even the rocks smile when I walk by. Can you see the face in this rock formation? It is clear as mud, look closely and let me know if you can't see it.

In the seven years I have lived here I have endeavored to walk this 4.5 mile route weekly. It has not always worked out this way, but it is an admirable goal is it not? One of my favorite times of year to walk the route is in the winter. I have traversed the paved road when it has been under snow and ice, and when it has been covered with puddles full of beautiful butterflies. I enjoy the artwork at my favorite 'wade in the stream spot', and I enjoy the towering sycamores which help provide food for the numerous deer, turkey and other assorted wildlife that make this sanctuary its home.

Clarksville Base is a historic area of Fort Campbell. Many may know it as the 'Bird Cage'. Its exact original purpose is not known to me, but I have read that nuclear weapons were stored here during the last world war. The walking trail is bordered by cool underground bunkers that are used for storage, not of the nuclear kind.
The building where I worked when I was in the Army used to be the fire station for Clarksville Base. I once tried to upgrade the drafty, leaky windows in our building and was told by the engineers that it was not allowed due to the building being historic. Historic must mean non-energy efficient because the wind sure blew through on cold days.

A favored and truly treasured spot is this stream area. There is a system of several bridges, one of which walkers and roadmarchers will pass over when navigating the trail. I almost always walk down the concrete bank and sit and listen to the water. Many folks do the same. On a sunny day there will be whole families walking the trail and some will even cast a fishing line or two. Look closely in the picture below and you can see tire tracks of some brave soul who decided to spin his car around in the stream. This would have been possible only when the stream was low. Wonder if it was fun to the silly drivers? Beavers, swallows, turtles, deer, wild turkeys, geese, and blue herons are all in abundance in this area. I have seen them all and so enjoy the tranquility of their lives. They coexist peacefully with walkers like me. Whenever the Jimster is with me it is a given he will take off his shoes and socks, roll up his pants and go wading. On a recent trek to the stream around dusk, the Jimster, his friend Christian, and I were enthralled when a 'little bird' helicopter showed up. It was doing night flying above the tree tops. As an air traffic controller we called this type of flying NOE, or nap of the earth flying. This helicopter gave us a show by landing on the bridge above. We were sitting right where I am taking the picture, quite close to the helicopter. Water spray and dust flew everywhere. I still get a tingle being around this type of activity or whenever I hear a helicopter fly overhead or a 'freedom bird' does a low take off just west of my home. It is the air traffic controller part of me coming out. Some of my aviation friends who spent their lives working on helicopters around here HATE the sound of helicopters now. They purposely buy homes far away from flight routes and avoid Fort Campbell altogether. But not me, I love the helicopters and all their noise. Now, the blasting from Fort Campbell I can do without:)

I thank the Army everyday for the wonderful experiences I was able to live during my twenty years of service. To travel to the Middle East, or fly over the Alps in a Huey, to fire a rifle and throw a grenade, to work in a bubble in the sky with air conditioning, to help a pilot land his aircraft in the thickest of fog, to get an education and to meet some really neat folks, to live in Italy and ride a gondola on the canals of Venice, to see King Ludwig's Fairytale Castle Neuschwanstein is something that most people never get to experience in a lifetime. And I was able to do it all and more during my twenty year tour of duty.

This post is really not about the Army, but about a wonderful walking trail on an Army base. This walking trail and walking in general always makes me appreciate the little things in life: like walking on a clear and sunny day and giving myself time to just be me with no pressures, no blogging, no stressors, just life. Walking does this for me. I am going to finish this post with a short video of the stream. You can hear the water running which is such a soothing sound for me. There will be more posts on this super great walking trail. It is filled with wildflowers and noises and vernal ponds full of bullfrogs and fish and geese and life. For now....

I'm in the garden....walking with Bella on the Clarksville Base Trail.

Hi all. I've been contacted by a few folks who are interested in Clarksville Base and from what I understand it was a most special place to be stationed during the Cold War. I am currently working on a post concerning some stories and some information about a few reunions that involve Clarksville Base. The page links are no longer valid for these reunions. Sorry.

Jekyll Island, the Wildlife

Today is the last of the 3 part series on Jekyll Island. We will talk a bit about wildlife and I will share a few interesting facts as well. A lot of my information was gathered from books picked up at a gift shop on the island...

Interest in the Club dwindled as the original membership aged. In the early 1940's after enemy ships were sighted off the coast, members left the Island and the Millionaires Club never reopened.

The State of Georgia bought Jekyll Island in 1947 and the dwellings were in a state of disrepair. Today the entire Club House along with cottages have been restored. By law, 65% of the island will remain undeveloped. Sorry kids, no McDonald's here just local Mom & Pops places from long ago.

It cost a mere $3.00 to enter Jekyll Island. What a bargain price for us Cheapskates! ha..

Here you will see one of many Great Egrets looking for a snack in the marshes.

We are always excited to see the Pelicans even though not a great picture taken by me. They were moving way too quickly.

We had a visitor on the balcony of our room. This gecko was still in this position when we left so I am kind of wondering if someone did not glue a rubber toy to the wall as a joke for unsuspecting nature lovers such as ourselves. Hum, what do you think, Live or Memorex?

We saw a raccoon and opossum and we also spotted deer tracks on the beach. We are still trying to figure out why a deer was on the beach. Do they eat the sea oats?

Ah, a cute sea turtle in the landscaping! How fun it must be to be a gardener on this island. But wait, that is not the only turtle we saw...

Jekyll Island is home to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, click to learn more. This wonderful center has been open for about a year now and they take care of sick and injured Sea turtles then release them back into the wild. We toured the facility and learned that of the 7 sea turtles, 5 of them can be found in this area. I did not know that a day of building a sand castle on the beach could be a hamper on a baby turtle getting safely into the ocean once hatched. Knock down those castles people because they are barriers to the little things!

This turtle to the left had an issue with not being able to go under water. Notice how his shell is out of the water. They think this is a gassy issue and once cleared up, he should be able to sink below the water. He was a huge turtle but not fully grown my any means. I believe the smaller turtle below was fairly close to being released. The turtle will have a transmitter on his shell so the center can keep up with its progress and learn more about their behavior. This center also monitors the nesting turtles along the island.


The beach by our hotel is missing with high tide. Look at how natural this area remains. Sea Oats keep the dunes in place so never touch the Sea Oats because they have a purpose. Rip Rap rock has been put in place to keep the sand from washing out to sea with rough waters.

On the north side of the beach is the area known as Driftwood Beach. This area is full of dead trees with an eerie look about them. Unfortunately, we did not get to this spot with low tide so we were not able to walk about the area for the great views of driftwood. Remember, do not bother the wood it is protected being in a state park!

There are about 586 houses on the island that are privately own with land leased and a fee paid to the Island Authority under a 99 year lease which expires in 2049. The lease is transferable when ownership changes. Permanent residents number about 900 with no more lots available for building.

The island has the purest water being supplied by Artesian wells. Everything on Jekyll island is maintained and like walking into another time with its beauty.

The first Brewery in Georgia was on Jekyll Island and made of Tabby construction. Tabby is composed of equal parts of sand, lime, oyster shell and water mixed into a mortar and poured into forms.

History was made at the Club when the Federal Reserve Act was drafted there in 1910. Also when the first transcontinental telephone call was placed there in 1915. There is so much yet for me to learn about the island!

I must thank my Saint for taking me to this wonderful place. He did all the research and whisked me away for this most wonderful weekend.

Even though this is a natural state island, there is lots to do while on a visit. They have a camp ground, horseback riding, golf, tennis, museums, art galleries, shopping, the beach, 20 miles of walking or biking paths, water park and putt putt for the kids.

You can also take a boat ride for dolphin watching or hop aboard a Shrimp boat for a few hours of catching legendary Wild Georgia Shrimp. We happen to be there during the Shrimp & Grits festival. Don't knock them until you have tried them. I have never heard of them until we moved here and I love them!

This brings us to the end of our 3 part series on JEKYLL ISLAND. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I did reliving our little weekend get away.

The sunset over the marsh was the perfect ending to this spectacular place. We WILL be going back and soon! But for now, I must get back In the Garden...

*Note: After reading the posting on Sunday of the Jekyll Island Oak trees, In the Garden was contacted by David Egan. He is the co-director of an all-volunteer, non-profit organization called the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island State Park. One of the main goals of the IPJI is to ensure that whatever new development takes place on Jekyll Island, it does not adversely affect Jekyll's environmentally-sensitive areas or damage or destroy any of its natural assets. Click on the link to learn more about IPJI and to see some wonderful pictures.