The Lost Acorn

 

Get ready for a rather unusual blog! I live in Houston, Texas and one creature we are not by any means short of is grey squirrels. They thrive in our trees eating there way into our roofs and though our electric air conditioning wires. However, these pesky little critters despite all my practical human complaints are incredibly cute and impressively loyal when it comes to family.

Today when I arrived home I found my dog in rather a state of duress. Incredibly excited and distracted by something the other-side of the laundry machines. I became slightly nervous as I climbed on top of them to see what had her so enthralled. There, trembling behind the dryer was a minut baby squirrel, with incredibly short fur, an almost bald tail and a respiratory system that was going at such a rate I thought it might explode. Locking my dog in another room I set up my Go Pro and decided I would wait and see if the little guy would walk out on his own or if he was in need of a rescue. Little did I know at the time but although he was in desperate need of rescue, I would not be the one running the rescue mission. Check out my video to see what happened...



 

Caution - Alligators (Do Not Feed or Approach)

While some countries have lions or tigers roaming the wild, here in Texas we have alligators and snakes! I have countless memories at Brazos Bend State Park. I remember going to the park when I was just a little girl with my big brother and staying on the look out for Ali the Gator while we played. With plenty of strange spiders, goofy bugs, and beautiful birds to entertain, we had a blast exploring while our parents enjoyed answering the million questions we had about everything all around us. Sitting atop my fathers shoulders, I felt like I could see the whole world & I would squint off into the distance desperately trying to be the first to spot a gator bathing in the lake. 

Now that I am all grown up, I still love to visit Brazos Bend. It is the perfect place to escape from the busy city, stretch my legs, and feel like I am on an adventure as I see if I can catch a glimpse of a glorious alligator. 

The park has plenty of places for the public to enjoy, providing a playground, picnic areas complete with BBQ pits, look out points, walking paths, and even a massive tower you can climb to look down on Forty-Acre Lake for a birds eye view of the wildlife below. 

For those in search of more than pedestrian exploration, the park offers its visitors a wide array of activities  My favorite stop was always the nature center, as there you can learn about the different ecosystems and wildlife in the park. However, you don't have to stick with the educational options. Biking is permitted along the many trails, and visitors are even allowed to camp & go horseback riding as that park provides primitive equestrian campsites for people wanting to camp with their horses. Want to try something a little less active? How about try your luck at catching some fish! Visitors are welcome to fish from six of the lakes and though they should probably do so with caution, I am sure it is still just as relaxing as fishing in a lake without alligators. 

Everywhere you look you are reminded that there are alligators roaming the park, so to keep your eyes peeled, your pets leashed, and your children close. Part of the charm of visiting Brazos Bend is the alligators, but adventurers beware! The alligators are wild! So don't forget to respect their space and give them a wide berth while observing them! Thankfully, unlike my experience with the black bears in the Smoky Mountains, every time I have seen people spying on the alligators they tend to proceed with extreme caution. (Though this is likely due to the fact that even baby alligators don't look cute and cuddly like the black bears of the Smokies.)

Brazos Bend is a true Texas favorite of mine, and I heartily recommend it to anyone with an adventurers soul looking for a different experience than the bog-standard Houston. Just don't forget to keep a look out for alligators!

Hope you enjoy these photographs taken from my last trip out to Brazos Bend. Each time I have a totally different experience that never fails to be awesome!

BEwARe

"If you go down to the woods today your sure of a big surprise. If you go down to the woods today you better go in disguise!!!"

Leaving my wild imagination on the Abrams Falls trail, I made my way out of the tranquility it so graciously provided and headed straight back to my car. Driving out of the parking lot, I had given up any expectations I'd had of seeing a bear and clung to the slight flickering of hope that remained. As I approached the main road, I noticed a massive row of cars disappearing into the distance, and a crowd of people, cameras out stretched, spanning the side of the road. Parking my car off to the side near where the two roads met, I foolishly grabbed my camera and went to join the crowd, expecting to see a family of deer. However, I was shocked when a massive black bear came into view and two little heads were visible along her side. Don't be mistaken, it has long been a dream of mine to see a bear in the wild, let alone a mother bear with her cubs but the proximity by which this crowd was observing this wild bear startled me and I quickly left the crowd to see if I could get a better view point from the safety of my vehicle. 

Sitting in my car watching a black bear gorge on berries with her two little cubs I was perplexed by who was more intellectually challenged. The people for standing within paws reach of the wild animal or the bear for not being more perturbed by the ever encroaching crowd. It was as if the people felt the overgrown vegetation the bear was foraging in somehow created a protective aura that would prohibit the mother bear from attacking them in defense of her cubs. Interestingly enough many of the onlookers were mothers and fathers with their children, who have likely referenced the popular metaphor, "you don't want to mess with mama bear's cubs" in regards to themselves with their own children. Yet somehow they still stand precariously close and snap away with their snazzy cameras. Luckily for everyone involved this mama was not in a fighting mood and left the people alone, wandering off to a more tranquil pasture on the other side of the road. 

She was so strong and majestic as she wandered off into the distance with her two little cubs close in tow. One cub solid with its footing, managing to stay at her heel and the other stumbling occasionally as it was still mastering the art of walking. I felt honored to witness such a fabulous family outing and felt refreshed as I watched these wild animals escape the paparazzi observing them. If this mother had felt threatened she could have attacked the crowd and then would likely have been put to death for reacting to this human threat in such a naturally instinctive way. However, luckily she impressed me and walked away somehow resisting her instincts. 

As the sun set in my rear-view I left the cove and made my way back to Knoxville. It had been a magical & unbelievable day that is sure to stay with my for the rest of my life. The Great Smoky Mountains and the wildlife inhabiting them truly are a natural wonder of the US and are worth experiencing by anyone even remotely interested in the outdoors. (But please, if you do go, show some respect to the bears and keep your distance.)

"At six o'clock their mommies and daddies will take them home to bed, because their tired little teddy bears..."

Getting Wild in the Smokies

Straddling the border of North Carolina & Tennessee the Great Smoky Mountains are one of America's natural wonders. Part of the greater Appalachian Mountain chain, the Smokies are an integral part of the Appalachian Trail and a popular destination for outdoor explorers of all kinds. Wandering through this national park, you are likely to stumble upon intriguing  native birds, timid deer, and bold black bears among other native creatures. 

I enjoyed not only the tranquility of exploring the Great Smoky Mountains on my own, but the vibrant life that was surrounding me. The flora & fauna present in this protected area are a feast for the eyes to behold. Tall trees climb the mountains surrounding you only interrupted by the road upon which you pass or the rivers & streams that weave their way through the mountains. 

At the advice of some friends, I made my way to Cade's Cove where I could enjoy a scenic drive, numerous nature trails, and had a high chance of catching a glimpse of a magnificent black bear. Pulling through the gates to enter into Cade's cove, there was only one other car in my sights and I slowly rolled along enjoying the stunning views while keeping my eyes peeled for interesting wildlife. 

Having driven a few miles through the cove, I decided to pull over and go wandering down one of the nature paths. I parked my car, grabbed my camera, and took of walking down the narrow path laid out before me. As the road behind me disappeared, I noticed a deer off in the distance and paused to capture its image before becoming distracted by a stunning woodpecker off in the distance. Focusing on the woodpecker, and trying to catch a better glimpse I was startled when I heard a branch break just behind me. Turning slowly around, I found myself standing 6 feet from the deer I had been admiring earlier. Not wishing to startle the magnificent creature, I took a few steps forward along the path and listened as it followed me.  Realizing I had gained a shadow, I decided to take my time and take a few photos of my new found friend. It was such a strange and magical feeling to be sharing this moment with the wild, each intrigued by the other while sharing a mutual respect for the other. I stood observing the deer grazing around me for several moments before making a wide berth around it and heading back to my car. 

The cove had grown busier and there were now several other cars along the route. I continued along the designated road until I arrived at Cooper trail where I parked to embark on my next adventure.  I began walking, passing several families and groups out hiking along the trails. After a while I found myself hiking in whatever direction took me away from the loudest families, who seemed to have forgotten we were in the peace and tranquility of nature and therefore didn't need to be shouting at the top of their lungs and make even the water rush away. Noisy people all around and the day nearing an end, I decided to head back to my car so I could venture down towards Abrams Falls.

It is a 5 mile round trip to Abrams Falls so I knew I could not make it to the falls and back without getting caught out in the night so I decided to walk as far as I could in 30 minutes and then double back so I could finish the drive in that golden hour before the sun goes to bed. Walking along the trail a midst the trees to the sound of the rushing water in the river I felt as though I had been transported to a different time & place. Only passing a few people at the trail head who were heading out, I found myself alone in the woods with only my thoughts for company. This sense of solitude, incredibly freeing, made it easy to get lost in the brilliance of the world surrounding me as I watched cranes fish, leaves dance, and bees flirt with flowers. 

The Smoky Mountains reminded me of the location depicted in the Hunger Games, where Catniss finds solace in the mountainous woodlands before finding herself battling her peers in the landscape which once held such a sense of security for her. Staring at the sun through the never ending rows of trees, it was easy to understand why she found solace hunting in the woods outside the gates of District 12. (In fact, It all looked so familiar I googled the filming locations for the Hunger Games and discovered that a lot of the filming took place in Asheville, North Carolina which was only about 100 miles away.)

The Residents of Kruger Park

Take a drive through Kruger Park, 

behold the wonders within.

Don't dare set foot on solid ground

if you value the life you live.

Each creature has a part to play

you'll see them all if you stay.

Strength, fear ... wings, horns

their place defined since they were born.

Strength & beauty radiate power 

and intimidate their foe with horns and antlers

yet at whistling winds they recoil,

their main defense, a cloud of soil.

Enchanted by spots & stripes

a light in my heart ignites.

Gentle eyes, unsure,

lock with mine, I'm mesmerized

Glance down and what do I see?

Cold blooded creatures wandering past me.

Beady little eyes that do not blink

and one set so evil my heart sinks.

Nearby the crocodile, a bird begins to wade

yet blessed with wings its life is saved

Take flight, high up into the sky

the only true escape from predators eyes

Safety in numbers is particularly true

for a herd of elephants passing through.

These elephants on parade

all predators are sure to evade. 

A familiar face catches my eye

Any fear, I must be sure to hide

The bold baboon strolling by

will attack if it is worth his time.

Take a drive through Kruger Park, 

behold the wonders within.

Don't dare set foot on solid ground

if you value the life you live.

Creatures, together completing the chain

all coexist and hope to maintain.

While predators are rare, prey thrives

and the residents of Kruger Park manage to survive.

Strength & Beauty

Spots & Stripes

Say Cheese!!!

Cold Blooded

Take Flight 

Elephants on Parade

 The Bold Baboon