I'm a bit rusty on my Mississippi birding skills... For one, I've done a lot more birding in the deserts and canyonlands of Arizona than I have locally in the past few years. For two, I haven't really done ANY birding since James was born over 2 years ago. Since Jenny and I hadn't had much luck at the military park yesterday (a pretty much 50:50 split of forest and field habitats), we decided to try a riparian area today. Besides, since the government avoided a shutdown, we thought it was appropriate to visit the 2 national parks in and around the 'Burg while she was in town. So, we headed south to Owens Creek Waterfall, one of our favorite stops along the Natchez Trace. We'd had some rain recently, so there was water flowing (I know, it doesn't look like much, but it's actually pretty good for the area). James had a great time throwing rocks into the pool.
We had a hard time keeping James out of the poison ivy that lined the trail. In hindsight, we really wished we had brought his Beco. Especially since he wanted to be carried half the time anyway. (Lesson learned: NEVER leave home for a day trip without BOTH baby carriers) He sure had fun exploring though...
After Jenny finally spotted the hooded warbler (our Mississippi birds were giving us a run for our money, ignoring all pishing attempts and even screech owl recordings, staying as still as possible so that no matter how long we stared at the trees where we KNEW they were perched, we just couldn't see them), and we sighted an Acadian flycatcher and broad-winged hawk (a couple others she had been hoping to add to her list), we headed up the road to Rocky Springs. This is the short (1 mile) trail out to Little Sand Creek, where James pretended to understand how to use my binoculars.
By this point Cora was in need of a nap, and her Daddy's chest was the perfect spot.
Little Sand Creek was pretty and peaceful. We're definitely going back. And bringing camp chairs and a cooler. James loved splashing through the water and throwing rocks.
There was only a few inches of water, so it was nice to be able to just let him run and play. He only fell down once, and didn't seem to mind the cold booty at all.
Both kids enjoyed all the fresh air. And we enjoyed our 3-hour naps once we got home!
(Cora has started to take an interest in her baby dolls. She gets SO excited to see them, and loves when I make them give her kisses. She kisses them back!)
By this point Cora was in need of a nap, and her Daddy's chest was the perfect spot.Little Sand Creek was pretty and peaceful. We're definitely going back. And bringing camp chairs and a cooler. James loved splashing through the water and throwing rocks.There was only a few inches of water, so it was nice to be able to just let him run and play. He only fell down once, and didn't seem to mind the cold booty at all.Both kids enjoyed all the fresh air. And we enjoyed our 3-hour naps once we got home!(Cora has started to take an interest in her baby dolls. She gets SO excited to see them, and loves when I make them give her kisses. She kisses them back!)
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