Before The Storm

There's a big blow currently drowning the Gulf Coast that is supposedly on its way here. We can use it. In the winter this is usually a class two/three shoal just above the Blue Hole.

Here's the view of the same spot from below.

Here is the entire flow of Whites Creek coming into the Blue Hole at the moment. That leaf will just fit through the slot. There is a historical measurement of zero flow for more than ten days on Whites Creek, so this isn't too bad. We've seen it lower but never zero.

One of the cool things to see at low flow are the fish trapped in shallow pools. They can hide more easily than you think. As you walk up to it, a pool will be churning with fish and then the water rips to pieces and there's nothing there when it settles. I watched one pool for a bit and this guy moved from one rock to another. Cute!

This shows his relative size,  just so you don't think there's a monster catfish trapped in a shallow spot, although there may well be one somewhere with that exact problem right now.

In addition to the catfish I watched log perch, tangerine darters, several other darters, white tail shiners, log rollers, warpaint shiners, goat head sucker, and several mystery fish. A biologist may be able to i.d. some of these but I can't. I'm thinking I really need that underwater digital camera in a bad way.

The rain starts tonight.

Spotfin Chub

Spotfins used to live in Whites Creek and may still. We certainly haven't seen them lately, as in 50 years or so. Whitetail shiners, however, are abundant.

Flowers from Today's Walk

These are taken near the start of the classic Whites Creek whitewater run. I think the orchid is the showy orchis but I don't know for sure. It was a pleasant surprise to see them after my hiking buddy spotted them.

Things That Make Me Happy

Placing an area into a biological reserve is often fought by extractive interests, in this case fishermen. But ten years later the fishing along the perimeter of the reserve has more than made up for the loss and the reserve itself is the healthiest and most productive in the world.

Opponents of conservation, however, argue that regulating fishing will destroy jobs and hurt the economy–but they are wrong, and there are real-world examples that prove this. A scientific study published today by the Public Library of Science shows that protecting an area brings the fish back, and creates jobs and increases economic revenue for the local communities. I have seen it with my own eyes and, believe me, it is like a miracle, only that it is not–it’s just common business sense.

World Heritage Biosphere Reserve from Gulf Program on Vimeo.

An Ocean Miracle

Whites Creek Palooza 2011

Here are some shots taken by Pat Rakes of Conservation Fisheries Inc. We found a species previously unseen on the Palooza surveys but missed several that we know are in there. Things go on in the fish world that we just don't understand or even know about yet. Ten days ago there were scores of huge gar. We had a big rain and now there are only a few left in the big pools. I'll post more later.



If the slideshow doesn't start for you here's the link

Polyphemus

The measured wingspan of this beautiful polyphemus moth is just over 6 inches. It's not the biggest of our native moths but danged close. The caterpillars live on most of our hardwood trees and can eat 80,000 times their birth weight before metamorphosis. They rarely cause harm to their host trees. This one has expired and is a bit faded but still magnificent.

He's Ba'ack!

OK, I confess. Been to the beach.


We were staying at a 1939 era Inn with no phone, no TV, no Internet, and no air conditioning. It was 101 degrees Monday and I developed a relationship with an electric window fan. We were the new kids since most of the other guests have been coming on the same week for decades. They book the next year as they are checking out. The other guests included an investment broker, a successful artist, a graphic designer, the family of an Oscar winning (Best) actor (He couldn't come this year because he is on location, and no, I'm not giving up his name...Famous actors deserve their vacations, too...particularly their families.), and some other incredibly interesting and totally delightful people. One couple have been coming to the inn for over 40 years. One couple told us they had "only" been coming there for 14 years..."Only"?

"Bucky was raised here", his dad said. "He was 4 when we first came here." Bucky is now 39. "We got kicked out of the other inn we were staying at because of a mysterious fire that was blamed on the fireworks that some of the kids were enjoying." The Seaview took Bucky and his Dad in and that other inn got taken out by Hurricane Hugo in an act of divine retribution for the owner's dislike of children after they turned three.

Wait...No air conditioning?

It was wonderful. We sat on the various decks and porches, depending on the prevailing breeze at the time, and talked with each other. I swear! Talked with each other!

The sunset ceremony on the Marsh side was rather pleasant.

As we were leaving there were no goodbyes. It was all, "See you next year!"

Could happen.

Cheers,

Steve

Why I Live Here

Last Light of the evening.

Wild Flower Art Installation

I used an old tire I cleaned out of the creek to hold up a target board when I sighted in a 22 rifle last March. I still haven't hauled the tires to the dump. Since the dump charges for tires they don't get taken there and instead wind up thrown off bridges by the truckloads and get washed downstream to us. I'm thinking Mom Nature decided to show me how tires can be used as an art installation when she grew a Carolina Wild Petunia right in the middle of the bull's eye. I know it is a ruellia but I have no idea which one. While I had the camera out I thought you might like to compare monardas, the tame bee balm and the wild bergamont.

Smart Phone App ID's Trees...Now That May Be Useful

So there is finally something that could be useful about smart phones, other than as a disconnect from reality tool.

Smithsonian scientists create mobile app to identify tree species

Camping With the Blue Ghost

I don't have a picture of these little guys but we had one float right into camp last night.


These caught our collective eye as we hiked and swam. It made for an interesting installation on the edge of the campsite. Variously, there are bottles, galls, fossil rocks, a gig made with duck tape and a hand forged fork, shell casings, and a driftwood unicorn.

I have always wanted to see a walking fern and now I have. This one grows on a sandstone ledge. The tips of the fronds seek out the ground and will sprout a new plant if things go well.

The fern count for the weekend is 14:


Christmas fern

intermediate wood fern

bracken

lady fern

hay scented fern

horseshoe maidenhair

walking

New York Fern

Rock Cap fern

Royal fern

Climbing fern

maidenhair spleenwort

rattlesnake fern

ebony spleenwort

Beast on the Basil

I'm not sure what this beastie is supposed to be mimicking but it's doing a great job of it. 

Yesterday and Last Night

A rare treat is to see a cucumber tree blossom close up. This tree has lain down next to one of our trails but has still been blooming nicely for a number of years now. The blossoms are very large and fragrant. 

Goats Beard

Partridge berries are often noted for the big red fruit but the twin flowers are worth getting down to see.

As I was editing photos this night visitor flew up to look in on me.

I turned off the lights in order to end its confusion and hopefully find a mate... Beautiful night for it.

Strange Beast on the Bird Feeder

This little guy (or girl) makes the leap from the deck rail to the bird feeder, stuffs his cheeks and leaps back. We have sworn off cats after out beloved Maggie went on to that great mouse hunt in the sky (Actually she's becoming one with the earth next to a hickory tree). The change in the wild life near the house has been amazing. Ground birds and ground squirrels are now abundant near the house. Even the larger birds are hanging closer. I almost stepped on a pileated woodpecker a few minutes ago. What he was doing on the ground I have no idea. 

Virginia Ground Cherry

Taken just this morning

Mist

The mist monsters were out this evening after the storm passed through. You have to be here...

This is a Hippeastrum, not an Amaryllis as it is often sold as.

We have had this one for a couple of years. It is an impressive bloom and easy to care for in the off season. This one sits a couple of feet above the kitchen table as I type.

Indigo Bunting Tragedy

I kicked myself and put up the bird screens. Too late for this beautiful jewel...

Today's Walk at Whites Creek

Check back for a few more shots, including the gay wings(now posted). The Gay wings are new for me just this year. They grow in colonies and follow a strategy similar to orchids in that the flower mimics an insect in order to get pollinated, as opposed to providing nectar in payment for services rendered. Lured with a promise of sex, the insect pollinates the flower but doesn't appear to receive anything in return. Life just isn't fair, sometimes.

Updated with a few more shots.

Just Over 3 1/2 Inches of Rain Last Night

Looks like this just a few minutes ago...

Compare that to this shot from fall...

Just Now

Since I couldn't get the yellow throated warbler to display and hold still for a picture, you'll have to make do with this handheld telephoto shot in cloudy conditions of the scarlet tanager that hangs around the front yard.

Come On Baby!

This boy was strutting his stuff for the lady.

April 1, 2011..No Fooling!

Morning mist rolls down the creek.

This yellow rumped or Myrtle Warbler is all dressed up in his Spring finery to impress the ladies now.

Spring Time in the Country

This is the view today from the top of "jump rock". You can see what jump rock looks like from down below by looking at the photo over on the right here at Whites Creek Journal.

Trilliums are emerging. This is most likely a yellow trillium. Let you know later in the month when it blooms.

There are joys one experiences when living in the country. This friend has passed on to that great kitchen floor in the sky, where all good little scorpions go when they get squished by the Great Lambskin Moccasin from the guy sitting in the chair next to the kitchen table.

Showing Off The Yard

Took a fine walk with a photog friend that covered over three miles of Whites Creek trails today. He hung with me as we jumped Ford Branch and hiked along the Creek to a spot above the confluence to Piney Creek. This place is way too big to see in a day or even a decade, but if my friends are willing to follow I'm willing to show them around. There's nothing like a long hike and good conversation.

Update: Mushy's photos from the day are posted at his site HERE.

Gobbler in the Morning

This old boy roosted just below the house last night. He was practicing his strut about 50 off the ground on a limb way too small for a twenty pound bird. Sorry for the fuzzy shot. I need to get optical grade windows or cut in a rifle port to take pictures through. There is way too much cool stuff that happens in our yard.

Today's Walk...Behind the Waterfall

This beautiful spot is on a tributary to Ford Branch. With the recent rains it was flowing nicely.

Spring Song

Taken through the window glass just now, the song is still sweet.

The call can be heard here.

Happy Valentine's Day..Love is Strange Edition...Really, Really, Strange

If you ever wondered where they got the idea for the Alien movie monster...

If you never thought of your friendly neighborhood mollusk as a man of action, think again. Freshwater mussels like this cheeky little Epioblasma triquetra (a/k/a "Snuffbox") propagate their kind by grabbing a passing fish, clamping it down forcefully and then proceeding to shove some larvae down its throat.

Watch

Today's View

Looking out over the Tennessee Valley.

Compare today's picture to this from last summer...

This last one is the wrap around image for the blog. I'll lead anyone who wants to follow up there. Just let me know.

The Boys are Dressing Up for Spring

We're starting to see courting behavior in the trees. I watched a nuthatch take suet to its mate in the dogwood tree and the spring color is beginning to show on the warblers and finches. Get outside and see for yourself what nice weather we have for hiking today. This yellow rumped warbler is terrorizing much larger birds at the feeder, showing off for the girls. His rump flashes are too fast for a picture to turn out so far.

Update: Here we go. Impressed girls?

Whites Creek Journal Global Headquarters

Do you know where you are? Whites Creek Global Headquarters is located at latitude and longitude :

35° 48' N / 84° 45' W

Find your location. 


The terrorists already know where you are...they're watching you.

Seen on a Walk

Saw this view on a walk on our friends' place in Ozone.

Here is the actual picture. 

Skinny Dip Sunday

It is amazing how fast an old man can get in and out of the water. Last night, in a wine fueled moment around a campfire, we said we were going to get our January swim in the creek today. It was cold. It stung. Now that we're dry and warm, it was glorious!

Yes, that is ice on the far side of the pool.