11/02/2009 - Bayou Sara

Launch: Walter Cofield Park

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1) Bayou Sara from another perspective.

2) Little Catfish Bayou.

3) Preparing for flight because the kayak was getting too close.

4) Today was one of those fowl birding days. Saw a wide variety of birds and ducks, including a group of birds playing in the water which you can see in a short video here.

5) This squirrel kept nuzzling its face on the top of the limb. Maybe it was cleaning its teeth?

6) Great big heron.

7) Interesting limb shapes.

8) Trees decked out with Spanish Moss.

9) The Popcorn tree (aka known as Chinese Tallow) foliage colors may be pleasing to the eye, but this tree is listed as being very invasive.

10) The sun was intense to the eyes while trying to paddle into it's direction.

10/30/2009 - Bayou Sara/Gunnison Creek

Launch: Walter Cofield Park (Saraland)

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1) Walter Cofield Park launch site provides access to Bayou Sara. Due to the winds, I wanted to kayak in some sheltered waters. Saw a lot of wildflowers in bloom on this trip. Waters were a bit high due to the strong southerly winds.

2) The winds were a welcome relief to the warm temperatures and scorching sun.

3) Small wildflower that looked like Elephant's foot (Elephantopus nudatus).

4) Southern Cricket Frogs were jumping all along the banks. Click here for a good site to help identify frogs. This frog wasn't much bigger than a cricket.

5) Took a break near I-65. Picnic tables and a shelter have been added to this area within the last year. Not sure who owns the property or if it is open to the public.

6) Lobelia flowers, species unknown.

7) The water in upper Gunnison Creek gets clear when sunlight can penetrate the tree canopy.

8) White tufts of something growing from bird or animal scat on a tree trunk leaning across the creek.

9) Tall pinebarren milkwort (Polygala cymosa).

10) Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium) species unknown.