The Nickajack Naturalist

The Kimball Park Project--2013__June 21

  In the afternoon of the summer solstice, summer seems already settled in at the Kimball Park.  Click here to view the January introductory post.  Compare the May 21 issue here.

The Pond:  Due to the above average rainfall we've been having, the pond has plenty of water and a luxurious covering of vegetation.  Much of what's seen here is the plant featured in last month's pond photo. While it now has small yellow flowers, I've yet to be able to identify it.  I've seen it grow in large mats like this other places, such as Long Island Creek. 

   Other plants visible in this view include buttonbush, the shrub with small round balls seen on both sides of the foreground, and lizzard tail, another water plant with vertical white flowers which bend over at the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close up views of lizzard tail (above) and buttonbush (right).

 

 

 

 

 

The Tree:  Much like last month, the big red oak continues to stand tall in full summer foliage.

The Field:  The wheat in the field on the right, while it seems a bit short to me, appears about ready to harvest.  The field in the park (on the left) still lays fallow.  I'm guessing by now that it isn't going to be planted this year, unless it's a winter crop.

The Mountain:  In today's view of the mountain, I did this wide angle shot in order to take in the thunderheads attempting to build up over the plateau.  I had to make the mountain darker in order to get good contrast with the clouds.  The cloud on the left soon began to emit rumbles of thunder, but then high level winds blew the top off, so it didn't get far in its development.

The River:  Basking in the lazy heat of summer, the river was calm and much less muddy than last month.  The log that served as a turtle hangout earlier in the spring is either underwater or has washed away.

Random Shot:  Ducks.  These domestic ducks have made the park their home for some time.  They prefer to hang out on and around the pond that has less vegetation in it.  The darker ones appear to be hybridized mallards.

Be sure to check back next month for another installment of the Kimball Park Project--2013.

Bob Butters                                                                                       All photos:  Bob butters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chimneys of Marion County

                                                                           From Nooga.com

  Two massive pinnacles of sandstone rise 200 feet from the floor of Pocket Gorge near Whitwell, part of the Sequatchie Cove system.  These towering geologic features-aptly named the Chimneys-have been sculpted throughout time by Pocket Creek, which winds around a natural bridge at their base.  Read more.

 

Nickajack Ospreys

  In recent weeks, I've discovered three osprey nests in and near Nickajack Lake.  Two are on navigational markers in the lake (one shown in the preceding post about the Little Cedar Mountain hike).  When I recently joined the new Tennessee River Gorge Trust Director, Rick Huffines, and his assistant, Nathan Wright, on an off trail exploration of the "big" Little Cedar Mountain, where the Trust owns property, we discovered a nest on one of the power line towers.

Overlooking the old Hales Bar powerhouse.  The osprey nest is on the top right corner of the power line tower.

A closer view of the nest.

An osprey lands on the nest.

Osprey on the nest.  While we watched, a second osprey approached carrying a fish. Then a third osprey arrived, and the two flew in circles for a bit.  It seemed that one wanted to get the fish from the other. 

An osprey approaching the nest.

Learn more about ospreys here.

Bob Butters                                                                          All photos:  Bob Butters

Hike Report: National Trails Day at Little Cedar Mountain

  The Little Cedar Mountain nature hike hosted by Outdoor Chattanooga and the Nickajack Coalition on June 1st was a success!  Five participants joined Outdoor Chattanooga's James Eubank and myself for the 3.5 mile hike.  The following are a few scenes from the hike.

The group enjoying the view at one of the overlooks.

We came upon this Eastern snapping turtle laying eggs near the lake shore.  She would probably lay between 30 and 50 eggs.

Butterfly weed growing in the clearing at one of the overlooks.  We also spotted some prickly pear cactus in bloom.

View of Nickajack Lake from one of the overlooks.

This osprey nest could be seen from the overlook.  There are a number of these channel markers on rock piles which are on an old submerged railroad bed which runs through the middle of the lake.  This is one of two on which I've spotted osprey nests.

Click here to see a map of the trail.

Bob Butters                                                                          All photos:  Bob Butters