Rabbit Creek

Eastern Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) was in bloom near the shoreline.

On a smaller scale Dwarf Sundew (Drosera brevifolia) was about to bloom. This wetland plant supplements its need for nutrition by capturing and digesting insects. The yellow circle highlights one insect being eaten by the Sundew after it got stuck on the sticky droplets.

Fishing spiders are frequently seen on trees next to the water. Yes, these spiders capture and eat minnows.

What scares some people is just how big fishing spiders can get. This spider that was about 8 inches from leg tip to leg tip.

The fishing spiders do not bother me. What does is the storm water trash.

Motorized litter removal boats cannot reach this trash. This floating trash in Rabbit Creek can only be accessed by canoe or kayak. Unfortunately I know of no effective program in Mobile that regularly removes trash accumulations from upper creeks and tributaries. The City of Mobile, Mobile County, the State of Alabama, and all the environmental groups just ignore the waterway pollution even though some of it may be hazardous to public health and marine life.

Paynes Creek

Goose keeping its eggs warm.

Mosquito breeding boat.

Uh oh. No touch this flower. Poison Ivy.

Convict caterpillars munching on a Spider Lily.

Closeup reveals caterpiller legs are rather complex.

Saw an alligator which is a rare thing in Dog River Watershed. Unfortunately this alligator died way too young or someone killed it.

Sunset on Dog River.

Paddling Chickasaw Creek

Golden Club flowers still in bloom amongst the shoreline trash.

Green Treefrog. That straight line is abandoned fishing line found adorning many of the shoreline shrubs in Alabama.

Why do turtles climb trees? That is how turtles get a natural high. 

Nah, just kidding. The turtles are really getting out of the water and climbing high for another perspective to figure out what all that unnatural trash is in their polluted Alabama waterway habitat.

Misleading Names

Often common names of critters and flowers can be misleading. Above is a Green Tree Frog. Green? This species of frog can change its color.

Above is a common weed called Scarlet Pimpernel. Scarlet? This species of flower can be colored scarlet or blue.

09/15/2013 - Dog River on a nice cool morning.

1) Pre-Sunrise.

2) Sunrise over Dog River.

3) Big Muscovy Duck family.

4) Stand Up Paddling is becoming popular in Dog River.

5) Enjoying the warm weather and water while it lasts.

6) Rough Cocklebur flowers are in bloom.

7) Red Cardinal flowers are also in bloom.

08/28/2013 - Dog River

1) Errr, the fake mustache disguise is not working.

2) Hahaha. Did you see that silly goose wearing the disguise? I laughed so hard my face turned red.

3) Speaking of Red, fall flowers are starting to bloom. Cooler weather can't be to far away now.

4) One lean flying machine.

5) Mosquito dragons engaged in 69.

6) Pickerelweed and a butterfly.

7) A damselfly getting a neck massage.

8) Another damselfly.

07/18/2013 - Paynes Creek

1) This winged creature fluttered by and alit on a Pickerelweed flower.

07/08/2013 - Big Creek Lake

1) Nice day to kayak on Big Creek Lake.

2) New signs at Big Creek Lake by US 98.

3) Hey Hey, what is that lurking on the edge of that Torpedo Grass? The tail should help you identify it.

4) One thing for sure, Big Creek Lake is bustling with life.

5) Critters with no visible pupil need a little respect because of poisonous venom. Note the angled snout.

6) Round pupil snakes have no venom and are not to be feared. Note the rounded snout and smiley face.

7) I usually look carefully for snakes and wasp nests before going under shoreline shrubbery. As I was backing away from the bank after taking photos of shoreline trash, nature left me a reminder to be more careful. There had been a snake perched on a limb way over my head which is visible on the branch near the top of this photo in the middle. Note to self: Snakes can lurk real high up. Be more observant for safety's sake.

8) Luckily the snake that could have dropped on my head was a harmless water snake.

9) The little flowers of Carolina Fanwort were dense in some places.

10) The contrasting colors of yellow flowers and red leaves were pleasing to the eye. Big Creek Lake is a beautiful place to kayak because of its abundant wildlife (saw a deer too), clear water, and wide variety of aquatic plant life.

11) Had to deal with this for about 45 minutes while headed back to the launch site. Ended up getting thoroughly soaked.

07/04/2013 - Independence Day on Dog River

Launch: Home.

Launch Cost: Free.

Destination: Dog River watershed looking for Sea Cows also known as Manatees.

Distance: 15 miles.

Pedal time: 5 hours.

Weather: Temp in the 80s, very light winds, partly sunny. River current minimal. Water temperature in the 80s degrees. A beautiful day.

1) Manatees coming up for a breath of fresh air.

2) Another Manatee.

3) It was exciting to see there are still a few alligators left in Dog River.

4) Happy 4th of July! Cute little boat.

5) Family 4th of July Fun on Dog River. What a pretty smile.

6) A clump of Crinum lilies also known as Seven Sisters, Swamp lily, Southern swamp lily, and String lily.

7) Railroad Bridge only navigable at high tide.

8) Upper McCullough Bayou turns into a cement drainage ditch north of I-10.