March Outing

One day recently my brother and I went to our local State Park.  Potato Creek State Park offers a little of everything. Hiking, Nature Center, horseman camp ground, cabins, campground, youth and group camping, beach, fishing, many programs and so on. A perfect park to enjoy almost everything if you enjoy nature and the outdoors.

We first drove thru the horseman campground. Didn't see anything there and no one was camping. The park closes the regular campground in the winter and puts everyone camping in the horseman's campground.

Continuing on thru the park we passed the 1st Osprey's nest we both yelled there are eagles on the nest. Screech goes the brakes and we both jump out of the car excited.

 

We watched the eagles for about a half hour and then drove on thru the park.  There were geese and a swan on the lake. The ice was in thin patches over the water. Soon tho it will be gone and regular water birds will be back.

We went to the Nature Center and sat and watched the birds and animals thru the one way mirror. You can actually be nose to beak with the birds. I could sit there all day and watch the activity. We were there about an hour.

There was a Coopers Hawk in a near by tree calling. He hung around for about 15 minutes looking over the lake. We were surprised all the other birds did not take flight when he showed up. Guess he wasn't hungry.

Then along came a Possum. He ate some seed and took a very long drink in the water tub on the ground. Then he ate some more. After awhile another possum came by and chased the 1st one into the branches near by. They chased each other for a bit and then they both came back to the feeding area, ate and chased each other some more.

 

  I once was walking thru the park off the beaten trail when I came upon a possum sleeping in a tree hanging by it's tail from a tree branch. I stood there for a few minutes watching it. It was high enough up it couldn't be bothered by an animal or person but low enough for me to get a good view of it.

Other birds we saw at the Nature Centers feeders were Cardinals, Woodpeckers, Finch assortments, Sparrow assortments, Chickadees, Nut-Hatches, Junco's, Bluebirds and Flickers. The Starlings are back as are the Red-Winged Blackbirds. The Starlings are a pest and the Red Wings are noisy.  In my opinion.

A Starling at one of the feeders.

A Flicker at a suet feeder. These are pretty birds that have a deep rich call.

Cardinals are always a welcome bird to any feeder. There were many at the Park's feeders and in the trees.

Female Chickadee

We saw several gulls. Not sure if this is a Franklin Gull. If so, it must be female as males have a darker head. But both have the black tipped wings.

There were several Downy Woodpeckers. The smallest of our area woodpeckers.

We even saw a few Bluebirds near the Horseman's Campground. We stopped and watched these pretty birds. They stay all winter. You can not miss the blue contrast in the snow.

The Park has a cemetery dating back to 1884. Very interesting to walk thru it. And even tho it is in a State Park you can be still buried there.

The cemetery pictures were not taken by us. But I wanted you to see the pictures.

The Parks cabins are really nice and cozy. I have stayed in them more times then I can remember.

I always wanted to stay longer when it came time to check out. Actually I always wanted to live in one and never leave! 

 

You can see why I love these cabins so much!

 

Play areas thru out the Park.

 

We saw a few Kestrel Hawks. This one was in the Park. Looks to be a mouse or chipmunk for lunch.
These are small hawks and quite common in our area.

We didn't see any deer. And only saw some deer tracks 2 times. Both times around water.

 Hope you enjoyed your visit to my closest State Park. Potato Creek. I love this Park it is like a home away from home.

We started camping at the Park in 1978, the first year it opened to camping. My kids were 7, 4 and 2.
I will share some stories at another time.