Pay Day for The Soul

Getting out of town was tough this month. There were work obstacles. The weather was uncooperative. A truck carrying 40,000 pounds of broccoli got into an accident on Interstate 40 just 20 miles from my exit. The hurdles were many!

But waiting at the end of all that headache (and painfully full bladder on the I-40 "parking lot") was the serenity I so craved. My fourth road trip of 2019 took me to Radnor Lake State Park in Nashville. I chose this spot because of all the beautiful photos I had seen in other people's Facebook posts. I needed to see it for myself.

Finally off the road, I checked into my hotel for the overnight stay, dropped my bag in the room, threw my hair in a ponytail and headed for the park. Radnor Lake is sort of nestled in a residential area. The road to get there winds past massive homes and manicured lawns leading to the west entrance and a cozy visitor's center. The kind lady inside sold me a sticker, tore off a map for guests, and pointed me in the direction of "the prettiest way" to get to the aviary. You know I love the birds!

Off I went.

The first stretch of the cedar chip-covered trail, known as the Spillway Trail, leads straight into the woods where I stopped every few paces just to listen to the familiar chirps of Carolina Wrens, Tufted Titmice, and various woodpeckers.

The ground was still damp from overnight rain (the same rain that kept me home in Memphis the night before). The air was thick, helping to muffle any sounds from the road just yards away, sounds that were quickly drowned by the roaring water of Otter Creek the further up the trail I hiked.

The path wound further into the forest past the rushing creek and closer to Radnor Lake. I had walked less than one mile but already the worries of life back home had melted away. It was blissful taking photos of the glassy water, the occasional Cardinal, and the heavy clouds that were still threatening to unload. I was definitely in my element, throwing a smile and "good afternoon" to fellow hikers. I set up my camera to take a selfie. Not even a little embarrassed, I flung my arms out wide!

I followed the advised path to the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary which is up not one but two steep hills. Huffing and puffing, I arrived to check out the Great Horned Owl and Bald Eagles living at the top. The raptors were stunning. The owl winked at me a few times, I winked back (because that's what you do!) and made my way back down to the lake.

At the foot of the steep hills I spotted a trailhead that would take me off the paved path and deep through the woods. Yes, please!

There's no feeling like being surrounded by nature, but able to see people on the paved path below. I wanted to yell, "Hey! Get up here! That path is great, but this is even better... you have no idea what you're missing!" I kept that all to myself though, and embraced the warmth of what felt like a secret. I could see them, but they couldn't see me. The trail in the trees had the ambiance of isolation and peace, but it was also challenging terrain. No pavement. No blazes. Just trodden earth to follow, often muddy and covered in tree roots. I surrendered my shoes to the mess and followed the path as far as it would take me, which was right back to start.

I had covered a lot of ground, so it was time to call it a day. At the hotel I plotted the next day's activities.

Sunday morning found me back at Radnor Lake, and just in time to beat the rush. The sun was finally out and many others had the same idea: spend Easter morning soaking it up in the church of Mother Nature.

My plan was to see a different side of the park, so this time I stuck to the trail that wound around the lake itself. I was never alone on this trek and that was okay. Everyone seemed light on their feet that day in the warmth of the sunshine. The birds were busy, bees bounced between blooms, and the local wildlife was not shy!

Sunday's stroll was not about photography or keeping track of how far I had walked. It was about being in the moment. I stopped at one little deck that offered a scenic view of the lake and took it in. I wandered back through the portion of the wooded area where I first set foot on the trail the day before and found the birds' greetings just as sweet.

And under the canopy of foliage I probably couldn't identify, I was proud. I had done it. I was one-quarter of the way through the year and I had kept my resolution to get out and see more of what's around me. And so much of what's around me is amazing. I had planned and taken this trip by myself, no one to entertain me but me. And I had done it better. Better than I could have done it one year ago, even six months ago. Along with my "see the world" goal this year, I vowed to improve my health. I've been diligent about exercise and eating better (mostly), and I swell with satisfaction when those efforts pay off. And Radnor Lake was a huge pay day for my soul!

Peace and Quiet

I didn't realize how much I was looking forward to Spring until I left my apartment this morning. I haven't been to Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge in months and I missed it terribly.

Up before dawn, I checked the battery in the camera, filled the water bottle and hit the road. It's a little under an hour from my door to the calmness of the Refuge, and at 6:30 a.m. the roads are never busy. Double bonus for waking up early!

I knew the hummingbirds were on the way north, but I didn't know what to expect today.  As usual, I was not disappointed!  My first sounds of the impending spring season: red-winged blackbirds! They have a song that's unmistakable, almost an off-key trill that, I admit, takes some getting used to. But hearing that greeting can mean two things: Spring is nearly here and more of my favorite birdies are not far behind.

I spent about an hour-and-a-half in the Refuge this morning driving around the lake, watching the fishermen cast their lines, earlier to rise than I am. Mostly, I was listening to the sounds of peace. Eight hours a day, five days a week, I am bombarded with noises from police and fire scanners, relaying bad news, tragedies and sometimes horrors I'd rather forget. And if it's not the scanners, it's the televisions tuned to local news where broadcasters share crime stats, money matters and education shortfalls. By Friday, my brain is begging for a break.

So today, with the blackbirds singing, cardinals chirping, even a hawk calling from someplace I could not see, I found some relief from the vitriol.  I drove comfortably with the windows down, breeze in my hair, listening to those sweet sounds of nature. No obnoxious alarms going off, no worries that the next tone might be more bad news. Just simple chirps and the click of my camera. Bliss!

American Coots

American Coots (they have crazy big feet, but I couldn't get a good pic)

Mallard double date!

Mallards

Cedar Waxwings (one of the coolest looking birds around, IMO)

CLICK HERE to check out more of my favorite birdie pics!   

Quiet Time

There's nothing like Saturdays with friends: shopping, catching up, impromptu barbecue lunches, laughs and ice cream to cap it all off!

But before all that, I love to go where it's quiet, nothing but the birds chirping. I'm so lucky that my favorite spot is just a short drive away, and that the birds are making their way back to Tennessee right on schedule!

Here are some of the latest I've seen this year, some all new to me!

How I got over myself and got into birding

For me, birding began with a few feeders at my house: a simple crook from Wild Birds Unlimited, a square red feeder with hummingbirds on it, and a cheap seed bell from the grocery store that it took the birds weeks to find. It was a set-up that cost less than $50, but ended up being priceless once the birds started coming.

I could see all the action from my sofa and I would try my best to snap photos of the ones I thought were the coolest.

Baltimore Oriole

I figured out that Baltimore Orioles would hang out in my area during the summer, so I got a special dish for them and filled it with grape jelly (trust me, they can't get enough of it) and waited. The first time I heard that unmistakable Oriole chirp, I was a goner. Those bright orange beauties are still my favorite.

Red-headed Woodpecker

I could attract some pretty neat and striking birdies to my house, but when I first started birding beyond my own back yard, I was kind of at a loss. Where do I go? How will I find them without a feeder to attract them? Will people think I'm weird? All legit questions many birders have... 

Here's how I sort of figured things out:

1.  First and foremost, get over any notion that people will think you're strange for being in public places with binoculars and a camera. These are your tools, if you choose, but not required. Besides, it's been my experience that once you show the naysayers the amazing pictures you captured, they'll think it's neat too, and they will be full of questions for you.

Prothonotary Warbler

2.  Read. Because birding is a hobby enjoyed by millions, there are countless books written about it. Once I started getting really into it, I bought a few at Half Priced Books and they have been invaluable. Backyard Bird Secrets for Every Season by Sally Roth was, in my opinion, the best. Over the course of a year I read up on each season and was able to fine-tune my feeders to get the most out of my hobby. I knew I was getting a lot better at birding when I was able to speak about it confidently.

Indigo Bunting

3.  Shop! Who doesn't love that, right?! At one point, I was visiting my local Wild Birds Unlimited store almost weekly. They knew me in there, knew what seed I needed and asked about what had turned up in my yard that season. They have a wealth of knowledge about migrations, setting up feeders, fending off squirrels and how to keep starlings from decimating your feeders. Want to know something? They can't wait for you to ask! And stores are nationwide!

Black-capped Chickadee

4.  Go somewhere new. The world is a big place and every region has different birds that either over-winter or call it home year-round. Getting out of the city was the best way for me to find birds that had eluded me when I lived in Ohio. In Tennessee, some of them are abundant all summer long! Not sure where to find the birds? Look for the nearest wildlife or nature preserve in your area. Chances are it will have trees, a body of water and some peace and quiet. Hey, that's all birds really want in life! Once you're there, I often say birding is like fishing: have a little patience and the birds will come to you.

Summer Tanager

5.  Find a flock! A quick internet search will likely find you one, if not several, groups of people in your area who are just as excited about Birdcast reports, seed clusters shaped like raccoons, and spotting a new bird for the first time.

Blue Heron

See more of my favorite birding photos here!

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W.C. Johnson Park

I felt sort of like Memphis riff raff this morning as I drove a little too close to the SUV in front of me on Houston Levee in Collierville. The speed limit was 40 mph and I could not figure out why on a Sunday morning with little to no traffic we were not doing 50. Eye roll.

I was on my way home, eager to sit down and check out the photos I had just taken. Today was my first visit to W.C. Johnson Park. I saw a few pictures online and I knew there was supposed to be a pretty scenic boardwalk through a dense wooded area, but I didn't know what to expect.

I was blissfully surprised!

It's a little more than two miles out and back on the boardwalk, the entrance near the back of the park. Right away I noticed how peaceful it was at 7am on a Sunday. Only a couple of walkers were up early with me, strolling to the sounds of robins, cardinals and red-bellied woodpeckers. The sun wasn't fully risen, and the trees still hung on to their summer foliage, though a few were looking bare under the canopy.

Under the shade, the first thing I encountered was a short bridge taking me deeper into the woods. 

The boardwalk was well-maintained with benches here and there. I ran into everyone from runners to dog walkers to nature enthusiasts like me. One man pushing a little girl in a stroller stopped to chat and asked about the coolest thing I'd seen so far. I told him I was intrigued by the "poka-dotted tree."

Onward I walked, taking it all in. The views were stunning, the sounds relaxing, even the smells were fresh like wet grass. 

The path winds from the park toward the Wolf River where I stopped and sat for a few minutes.

I finally found a place to get off the boardwalk where a dirt path cuts through the woods. But venturing out does not come without warning! And there were a couple of moments when I realized they weren't kidding...

Once I made my way back to the beginning, I realized I'd missed something. A gorgeous gazebo sits right on the banks of the swampy area in the park, another perfect place to sit and take it all in. From there I could hear the calls of a pair of hawks nearby.

I can't say enough good things about this short walk in the woods! Everyone I encountered was friendly, the surroundings serene. I can't wait to visit again!

W.C. Johnson Park

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