Early Morning in Conkle’s Hollow

 

 

It was a beautiful morning as I took a walk up in to Conkle’s Hollow early one morning last week. The sun was just breaking through into the  forest along the trail catching the mist of the morning.

 
Some of the many ferns that carpet the hillsides and hollow were getting their first gleams of sunlight for the day.

Many of the trees that were blown down from the May storm will  one day look like this in the future.
Covered with moss and enriching the soil where many small insects call it home now…….

….. or covered in Lichen.

Along the Upper Trail to Rose Lake

With the cooler temperatures it is ideal weather to get out and take a walk along some of the trails in the Hocking Hills State Parks.

The new bypass is almost finished at Old Mans Cave which will make it better for the tourist visiting and also the local traffic.
With the construction going on the parking lot at Old Mans Cave is a little torn up so I decided to take a walk to Rose Lake using the upper trail from Cedar Falls that leads up to the lake.

 

The path is shaded and away from the construction noise so it is peaceful and beautiful as I made my way along the trail.

There were a few hikers that I met along the way but other than a few squirrels along the trail scurrying around collecting nuts and the movement of a doe hiding in the the hemlocks all was quite.
A perfect day for taking in nature and unwind from all of the outside world and noise of everyday life.

There was just a little stream of water flowing down the rock creek at the upper falls that empties into the falls at Cedar Falls below. Signs of the dry summer we have had this year.

 

Patches of toadstools and mushrooms can be found along the trail in the shady areas where the soil is rich from years of decayed plant matter. I found a little snail sitting amongst this clump.

 

Reaching my destination and coming upon Rose Lake the lake is calm and smooth on this visit.

There was not a fisherman in sight on this Saturday.

Some of the trees around the lake are getting tinges of color  in their leaves now.

In some areas Hemlocks hang over the water of  the lake.

Old logs and Cattails make good hiding places for the fish in the lake but they also make it rough for the fisherman who get their hooks caught up on them.

Cattails

Along the spillway of the lake a few late summer and fall wild flowers are in bloom.

The Sweet Goldenrod looks brilliant in the sunlight.

Centurea Bachelor Buttons

Joe Pye Weed

Even the Japanese Honeysuckle is trying to put on  a few last blooms for the summer. The bees were enjoying them.

The Sumac shrubs were full of berries.

Queen Anne's Lace is finishing its blooming.

 

Blooming White Snakeroot was in abundance.

 

Milkweed Pods

Plan a walk to Rose Lake this Fall.

 

Technorati Tags: Rose Lake,Hocking Hills State Parks

Clear Creek Metro Park & Nature Preserve

Some scenes from Clear Creek Metro Park

Monarch Butterfly on A Thistle  Bloom

 

 

Some of the Butterflies look as though they have had a rough few days by the looks at their tattered wings.

 

Native Phlox grow abundantly in the bottoms along the creek.

 
Green Headed Coneflowers

Tick Trefoil

 
The View from Cemetery Ridge which leads to the meadow along the ridge.

 
Downey False Foxglove

Ox Eyed Sunflowers

 
Hanging  Rock leans over the roadway on the way into the park.

Thistle blooms shimmer in the sunlight in the meadow on the ridge.

Blue Lobelia or Cardinal Flowers blooming along the creek path draw in the bees.

Jewel Weed blooms in profusion along the creek banks and hang over above the water.

Hemlock Varnished Shelf Mushrooms grow on moss covered logs up the trail in the shade.

Peking through the ferns Orange Topped Mushrooms are growing.

 

Wild Iris ‘Queen of the Swamp’ can be found in spring.

Sweet Goldenrod looks brilliant in the late summer sunlight.

The old Mathias log house sets back off of the roadway leading into the park.

The birds will be enjoying the many Berries that can be found everywhere in the park.

The trail along the creek is a peaceful walk and many fisherman were trying their luck at fishing on the day of our visit.

Like many spots in Hocking County giant trees grow upon rocks and boulders digging their roots into what little soil can be found.

More signs of autumn color along Cemetery Ridge.
Summer is on its way out all to soon.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Clear Creek Metro Park