The Nickajack Naturalist

The Kimball Park Project--2013__November 21

  Over the last month foliage has basically gone from summer to winter, without a very long period of fall colors this year.  I suspect that's at least partly due somehow to the wetter than usual summer we had.

Click here to see the project's introductory post from January.  Compare the October issue here.

The Pond.  While pretty much all wetland vegetation has now turned brown, a few spots of fall color can still be seen around the periphery.

The Tree.  Mostly green a month ago, the big red oak is now a dark orange color and has shed many of its upper leaves.

 The Field-#1.  All of the soybeans have now been harvested, leaving a bare field.  I just happened to be there this time while the field was being sprayed with a post harvest herbicide. (See next photo.) This helps to keep weeds down over the winter, providing better conditions for planting in the spring and requiring less spraying then.  This is especially helpful in a no-till situation.  While there, I met a Mr. Gilliam, who farms both the field in the park and the adjacent one.      

 The Field-#2.  The sprayer machine applying herbicide to the field.

The Mountain.  Like the tree, the mountain has changed from mostly green to a mixture of brown and bare.

The River.  With the foreground tree and Sand Mountain in the distance looking similar to elsewhere, a mixture of colors can be seen on Burns Island.

  While I stood atop the riverbank, a blue heron came flying up the river, not seeing me until it was right on me.  It then abruptly swooped upward in an evasive maneuver, giving me only an instant for a quick shot with the 18-50mm lens I had on the camera.  The photo (below) is blurred, but I decided to include it anyway.

 

Random Shot--Buttonbush Fruit.  Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), which is quite prolific around the main pond, is a member of the coffee family and a common wetland shrub in much of the eastern U.S..  Wildlife that benefit from the buttonbush include waterfowl and other birds who eat the seeds, as well as nest in the plants, deer that browse the folige, and humingbirds, bees, and other insects that partake of the nectar.

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

Bob Butters                                                                         All photos:  Bob Butters     
  
 

Rock Climbing Around Chattanooga

  In a Nooga.com article, Fynn Glover of Roots Rated recounts how he got into rock climbing , and lists several popular climbing destinations in the Chattanooga area.  Read article. 

South Cumberland State Park's Greeter Falls

The trail to Greeter Falls passes underneath an impressive rock overhang.

  Greeter Falls, located in the 18,000 acre Savage Gulf State Natural Area, a unit of the South Cumberland State Park, is a great half day excursion.  The trailhead is located between Altamont and the better known Great Stone Door area of the park.  An approximately 2 1/4 mile hike will take you by Upper and Lower Boardtree Falls (may be dry) and Upper and Lower Greeter Falls, as well a on a 1/2 mile spur trail to the Blue Hole, a swimming area upstream from Greeter Falls.

  The accompanying photos were taken in late summer.

Even with a smaller water flow in drier times, the plunge pool beneath the 50 ft. high Lower Greeter Falls is a popular gathering spot for swimmers.  This area is accessed via a metal spiral staircase.  

Upper Greeter Falls drops 15 ft. over a perfectly straight wall.

Firescald Creek shortly before it flows over Greeter Falls.

The Blue Hole on Firescald Creek, a poular swimming area upstream from Greeter Falls.

An expanse of dry streambed borders the Blue Hole.

  Firescald Creek soon joins Big Creek, the namesake of Big Creek Gulf, one of the three gulfs which comprise the Savage Gulf State Natural Area.

For more information about South Cumberland State Park, including a map and directions, click here.

Visit the website of Friends of South Cumberland, which includes a pdf of a detailed topo map and trail guide to Savage Gulf State Natural Area here.  

Bob Butters                                                                           All photos:  Bob Butters

Hunting Season Announced for Sandhill Cranes

                                                                           From Get Out Chattanooga

 After much controversy, for the first time in decades, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is allowing limited hunting of sandhill cranes between November 28 and January 1.   Read more.

Nov. 2 Pot Point Nature Trail Hike Report

Scene from the Nov. 2 Pot Point Nature Trail hike.                                         Photo:  Bob Butters

  The Nickajack Naturalist was to partner with Outdoor Chattanooga for a nature hike on Sat., Nov. 2nd, at the Tenneessee River Gorge Trust's Pot Point Nature Trail.  Because of a rather low turnout, plus the discovery that Patti Giles was leading the same hike at the same time for the Chattanooga Hiking Club, we merged our hikes, so it was officially a CHC event.  I think there were altogether about eleven people on the hike.  Thanks to Patti for her willingness to partner for the hike, and her capable leadership.  This 3.5 mile moderately strenuous hike featured a good sample of the biodiversity found in the Tennessee River Gorge.  The trail is located on 491 acres owned by the Tennessee River Gorge Trust and sandwiched between the Tennessee River and Prentice Cooper State Forest.  After gradually climbing along the mountainside beneath Pot Point with an approximately 350 ft. elevation gain, the trail descends to an area by the Tennessee River which used to be fields, but is now reverting to forest.  The lower section follows alongside the river back to the Pot Point Cabin.  Download a trail brochure here. 

Another scene from the Pot Point Nature Trail hike.                     Photo:  Bob Butters 

 

 

 

 

Rock Island Adventure--Pt. 3

  And now for the conclusion of our Rock Island Adventure.  See part 1 here and part 2 here.

The Great Falls Powerhouse.  Just beyond the top of the ridge in the background, it quickly drops off into a bend of the Collins River, the source of water for the powerhouse, just upstream from its confluence with the Caney Fork, where both rivers are raised by the Great Falls Dam.

Twin Falls as seen from an overlook across from the powerhouse.  I've gotten opposing opinions as to whether the falls are man-made as a result of the Great Falls Dam, or were already there, but several sources say they were created by the dam raising the level of the Collins River and causing the water to flow through underground passageways.  I'm going with that theory unless it's proved wrong.  The water flows from the rock below the top of the cliff.

Kim taking in the falls.  Man-made or not, in my mind Twin Falls ranks as one of the most impressive falls in America, certainly in Tennessee.  

Directly facing the falls.

Twin Falls up close.  You can almost hear the thunderous noise and feel the cool mist.

Looking at the falls from downstream.  You can see part of the powerhouse on the left, behind Kim.

The 0.5 mile Upstream trail on the north side of the river follows the base of a vertical bluff.

This blue heron isn't afraid of a little danger as it hangs out near the powerhouse.

Below Twin Falls, the Caney Fork River flows toward its rendezvous with Center Hill Lake.

Learn more about Rock Island State Park at the park's newly redesigned website. 

Bob Butters                                                                         All photos:  Bob Butters

 

Getting Outdoors With Chattanooga Hiking Meetup

                                                                              From Nooga.com

  For three years now,the Chattanooga Hiking Meetup has been organizing weekly outdoor adventures in the tri-state area, with activities including hiking, backpacking, camping, paddling, and biking.

Read more.