Post Oak Nature Trail

On the next day, Friday, in the late morning, we stopped at the Post Oak Nature Trail. It's a short, handicap-accessible pathway, that is paved and planked in many parts, though there are some areas that could use some repair.

At the beginning of the path, a large pond stretches. We paused for a while and took in the water.


Sandra Studies the Water

Lots of plant life fills the shoreline. Even the water's surface was teeming with growth. So was just below the surface. We could see little air bubbles rise in places. Some oxygen-breathers definitely call this pond home.

Of course, where there is water, there might be one of my favorite insect subjects.


Resting for a Moment

There were many varieties of dragonflies, black, red, orange, blue, patrolling the air space above and around the edge of the pond, but they were also very elusive on this day as I only snapped a few decent shots of the flying insects.


Beads of Water and Wings

Looking More Closely

In the meadow next to the water, I found this one pausing for a moment and quickly tried to catch a good image:


Among the Blooms

Cropping Out Some of Green

After minutes and several attempts to get more photos, we continued on the trail. Cutting across the pond and then alongside a meadow, the path entered a mature forested area.


Planes of Focus and Forest

Just like Indian Creek, there were many spiders. Though unlike the previous trail, the spiders on Post Oak weren't constantly trying to make webs across the trail. You had to look to the sides of the path to find them and sometimes you had to look really close to see them.


On the Web

So Small

For a stretch, the trail follows along the edge of the bluff. Though here, we were actually on the top, not far from where the Devil's Standtable formed. In a few spots, you could get this perspective of being high above the forest floor below, and sometimes you could also see how time was splitting the rock apart.


Opening to the Forest Below

Again, where the light reached, flowers sprung up. Here's an image from alongside the trail of a very plentiful wildflower:


Common and Wild

Here, Sandra and I figured out the mystery of the little black insects that were hovering above the trails. On Indian Creek, the mystery began and the discovery was made on Post Oak.


Pausing on a Leaf

Fireflies in the daytime!


Yes, a Firefly