Monday, December 28, 2009

Hayes Nature Preserve

My husband and I went to Huntsville the day after Christmas and as we came toward a birding trail that I've been wanted to visit, he asked if I would like to take a quick stop in along our way.

Why...yes! and I just happened to have my camera. It was a very bright morning but I took a few photos to share. Just off the parking area was an impressive bridge doing it's best to keep people from jumping into the waters.We've had lots of rain and the river was high and fast moving.I could hear an Eastern Towhee in the bushes and he popped out just long enough for me to click a quick shot. (Heavily cropped).I think this footbridge was much closer to underwater not long ago.I LOVE the bark of these trees.There are lots of places to sit a spell.And it's very nice of them to label the pretty trees!There are places to throw old fishing line...but this isn't one of them!These bat houses are very much like the ones I want to build for our yard.We only spent a short time here and there is a lot more to see, so come on Debi! I'm ready to go back for a great nature walk!
Clicking on the title of this post will bring you to a web about the park.
There are two spellings used. I'm using the one on the sign to the park.

14 comments:

Mary said...

You do have high water! Ours was up, too last week. Sycamores really do have beautiful bark and they are usually all along water ways and look so pretty. Good luck with the bat houses...we have some like that at the wetlands, but I've never seen any bats yet. I always wonder if there are any inside.

Unknown said...

I like the bat houses as well! We used to have one at our previous house- we got quite a few bats in the evening time around our pool. At our new home in Florence, we still get bats at evening time around the pool- but they don't seem to stay as long. I wish that they would stay- mosquitoes are terrible here in the summer! The Sycamore tree is one of my favorite trees- I too love their shedding bark look. I'm glad that you found a new place to visit!

Anonymous said...

Thats funny that you should just happen to have your camera Evie. Looks like a very nice area and could be lots of birding opportunities in the future.

Carolynn Anctil said...

Looks like a great day. I love the bark on those Sycamore trees too...I wouldn't have known what they were, without the label. Very thoughtful. Water like that always kind of scares me a bit. I feel like there are things lurking in the depths and it's so quiet and dangerous. I like bats. They're good people.

Dog Trot Farm said...

My you do have alot of water. The hike was very enjoyable thanks for taking us along

Wendy said...

Thanks for sharing Eve, I love these kinds of posts, talking and showing about nature walks. I have never seen bat houses before, how neat! I didn't think bats would use them, I learned something new today. The bark on those trees are beautiful, never seen those before either. Lovely photos :)

FAB said...

Great location for a peaceful stroll Eve AND somewhere to sit and watch the world go by.

Jenny said...

I'm with Roy, very suss that you just happened to have your camera handy! (-: Glad you did. It looks like a great place, specially for later on when the warblers are coming through.....not too long now!(-:

farmlady said...

Love all the photos. Really nice...., but the bridge pictures are wonderful. I love bridges and each has such form and lots of possibilities for angled shots that look so good. Nice work!

kerry hawkins art and photo said...

Sounds and looks like a nice place. I love the second footbridge photo

Rural Rambler said...

I like the bat houses too. Our two didn't survive last winter and were a different construction. I like these better. I love Sycamores. Nice nature walk. Even great sittin' places :)

Kelly said...

...I love Sycamore bark too. They have to be one of the most gorgeous trees around... I want to build bat houses for our yard this summer too. I love them!

Anonymous said...

You "just happened to have" your camera? Heck, I feel naked if I don't have a camera strapped to me!

This looks like a great place and should provide you many wonderful adventures.

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

Eve, honey! I'm back from our travels and am WAY PAST READY for a nature walk, photo shoot and lunch with my new buddy! (um, that would be YOU!)