KIRBY'S SECOND CAST

Today was an ugly day.  The weather turned and it got cold and windy.  This was the payoff for battling the elements nevertheless!

WILDFLOWERS, SWAN, & ELK

This report yesterday from Michael Dougherty of the Buffalo River Chamber of Commerce:

Wonderful elk viewing weather. 4 elk herds remain visible in Boxley Valley with the best viewing in the Ponca fields and just south of Moore Creek. I saw a couple of hunting coyotes this morning by the Moore Creek herd. It is interesting to see the elk square off on the coyotes to protect the herd. 

We are now back to two swans, after seeing only one for a while. 

The wildflowers are up and going strong again after all the cold. The top flower are the white trout lilies. My Lost Valley visit this morning confirmed the bloom is back on, should be better tomorrow, and the lead edge of the peak bloom is on for white trout lilies.  

White trout lilies are not a long blooming species. The best place to see them now is in Lost Valley just over the bridge and to the left. There is a moss covered rock field next to Clark Creek. You will find the lilies around the edges and among the rocks. 

Feeling Underappreciated?

Yesterday I was reminded that National Geographic named 10 National Parks they felt were not in the forefront of people's minds when they decide to plan a trip into the wilds of God's creation.  The Buffalo National River (just outside our back door) was #2 on the list!

As the weather warms up and the end of school gets closer I felt it my duty to remind everybody what an untapped treasure is theirs for the planning...