It’s been raining a lot here this year even more so now that hurricane season is here. Where we live we mostly get tropical storms during hurricane season. It’s been raining more so on a nightly basis. Therefore, we we do get a beautiful sunshiny day Coleman and I try to take full advantage of it. We (Coleman) decides where we’re going and we go enjoy our day hiking. It’s definitely more amazing when we are by a lake.
Andrew Jackson State Park is one of our favorite places to spend our time hiking, relaxing, and enjoying the beautiful views in nature.
Rhus glabra, (AKA white sumac, upland sumac, or scarlet sumac) is a species of sumac in the family Anacardiaceae, native to North America.Native Americans ate the young sprouts as a salad. The fruit is sour and contains a large seed, but can be chewed (to alleviate thirst) and made into a lemonade-like drink.
Dale of The Cosmic Photo Challenge prompt is Freestyle this week.
Since this is freestyle week I decided to let you visit with me on one of the hikes Coleman and I took this past week. This hike was a little bit different in that we had my daughter, Coleman’s mom, along with us. On Tuesday we needed to be out of the home for awhile because a pest control company was going to come in and spray per the Complex management.
Therefore, we decided to go hiking in one of Coleman’s favorite places. The place we chose was Anne Springs Close Greenway about twenty minutes or so from our residence. Mind you now my daughter is not fond of hiking at all. When we arrived, we should them my membership card and proceeded to park. We thought Trisha, my daughter, was just gonna sit and relax near the canteen while Coleman and I hiked. It didn’t exactly go like we had thought. You see, Trisha brought her dog along with on our adventure ( he had to be out of the home as well).
Lake Haigler
Chewbacca, Trisha’s dog, decided he wanted to hike with us, therefore she had to tag along. We walked down to the lake and proceeded along the trail, Lake Haigler Loop, around the lake.
Haigler Loop
Coleman loves to run along the trail. I prefer a slower pace since I normally take many photos along the trail of the various sites we see. Often we observe different angles around the lake, seeing flowers, butterflies, sometimes turtles, bees, and even dragonflies.
Brazilian Vervain (Verbena brasiliensis)
At other times we see amazing reflections in the water.
Reflections in Lake Haigler
I love seeing various creatures feasting on the nectar of wildflowers her at the Greenway.
Black Swallowtail, Eastern Bumblebee, and Delta Flower Scarab Beetle feasting on Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis.
Further down the trail as we hike around the lake I notice what appears to be a shape of a triangle formed with the reflections in the lake.
Triangle formation from the water reflections. Surrounding Tree Reflections plus water shimmering
As we keep going I slow down observing butterflies flittering to and fro. Naturally I stop to snap a photograph. Meanwhile, my daughter’s trying to convince me to stop taking pictures. Guess what? She didn’t convince me, not one single solitary moment.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Pearl Crescent Butterfly
Next on our hike we come across a dragonfly and several turtles along the edge of the lake.
Widow Skimmer Dragonfly Turtles sunbathing on a log
By this time my daughter is tired and wants to get this hike over with. Naturally, Coleman and Chewbacca want to keep going. They’re enjoying the outdoors adventure. Hence, we keep chugging along.
Water Reflections Water Ripples
After awhile we decide to pull up a seat and relax a bit before finishing our hike. But first there’s more to observe as we near the picnic tables along the backside of the lake.
Trisha, Chewbacca, with Coleman leading the way. [He knows the trails better than most adults]. Ngaro Wīwi Priocnemis monachus delighting on Angelica genuflexa
Finally to a spot to snack relax near the water’s edge.
I hope you enjoyed trekking along with us on our hike around Lake Haigler. God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all.
Pale Purple ConeflowerPreviously known as: Brauneria pallida Echinacea pallida f. albida Rudbeckia pallidaThe Pale Purple Coneflower is a herbaceous perennial of the genus Echinacea.
These coneflowers are native to North America, and there are nine known species of Echinacea. Echinos is Greek for “hedgehog” or “sea urchin” which is reflective of the plants spiny center cone. Pallida is Latin and translated means “pale.” This is in reference to their petal color which is a pale pink-purple.
Interesting Medicinal Information:
Echinacea was first used by Native Americans for treatment of insect stings and bites as well as snake bites. Currently, Echinacea is used to prevent colds, flu, and other respiratory tract infections. It has also been proven to boost the immune system and treat urinary tract infections. Echinacea preparations can also be topically applied for wounds or skin problems. The roots and whole plant possess a cortisone-like antibacterial property.
Clematis viticella, the Italian leather flower, purple clematis, or Virgin’s bower, is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to EuropeShades of Purple in a Garden PlanterSalvia officinalis, the common sage or just sage, is a perennial, with blue to purplish flowers. Sisyrinchium angustifolium, commonly known as narrow-leaf blue-eyed-grass Viola × williamsii, known as hybrid horned pansy, tufted pansy, or just horned pansy
The Scilla Peruviana is also known as the Portuguese Squill. It is a spring-blooming bulb with striking, lavender-blue flowers. The flower heads can be as large as a softball, with star-like florets that open gradually over a period of 3 weeks or more. The plants have long, strappy leaves similar to a hyacinth, and grow 12-20” tall.
Red-spotted Purple – Limenitis arthemis. Limenitis is a genus of brush-footed butterflies, commonly called the admirals.Asterocampa Celtis the hackberry emperor, is a North American butterfly that belongs to the brushfooted butterfly family, Nymphalidae. It gets its name from the hackberry tree.Papilio Glaucus the eastern tiger swallowtail, is a species of butterfly native to eastern North America.
This weekend was a rare time spending with my granddaughter, my grandson, and my daughter all on a hiking trail. My daughter does not have her daughter all the time and she does not usually like to go hiking like my grandson and I do. So, being able to be outdoors in nature with all three of them was a lovely experience full of joy.
My grandson loves to climb. It was fun to watch his half-sister follow his lead in climbing up on top of the tunnel. My daughter’s heart was beating so fast, their actions scared her. It is a normal occurrence for me to watch my grandson climb when we are out in nature. If something can be climbed, he’ll climb it.
It was a lovely day watching the birds in flight going back and forth over the Catawba River by the Fort Mill Dam.
Such a beautiful sight to behold, the majestic scene soaring above our heads. We were in awe of the wonder and were amazed how they would maneuver across the clear blue skies.