Wood Duck house at West Lake.
Wood Duck House
The large wooden boxes on poles in the water at the Lotus Ponds and at West Lake were put in to attract Wood Ducks; they use them for nesting. They have worked well. In addition to attracting Wood Ducks they have also been used by Hooded Mergansers.
American Lotus, (Nelumbo lutea)
American Lotus is my favorite wildflower. The plant is at it’s best in full-blossom mid-summer, but the stems can are also appealing in the winter landscape.
Virginia bluebells, (Mertensia virginica)
A wonderful winter task is thumbing thought wildflower catalogs to decide what to plant next year. We are thinking of adding a mix of wildflowers to the steep slopes below The Point. Intensive grazing by goats in the early 20th century probably eradicated many of the flowers that were there. We want to put them back.
Two of my favorite catalogs are Missouri Wildflowers Nursery and Prairie Moon Nursery
Eastern Valley Creek
Hillers Creek is the most dramatic body of water at the PGT. But there are other creeks worth exploring. The Eastern Valley Creek is a quiet, rock-bottomed intermittent stream. It is a good place to find Water Striders when other forms of life are dormant.
River Birch (Betula nigra)
Beavers and muskrats routinely get into our ponds and lakes and eat things we don’t want them too. Here you can see a stand of beautiful River Birch by the viewing platform at the Lotus Ponds. When the are cause damage like this we typically invite someone to come in and trap them.
Icicles in the PGT Waterfall
Waterfalls are more common further south of us, especially as you get into Arkansas. But we do have one small waterfall on the southern end of the PGT. It is easiest to see in Winter because it forms icicles.
Mud Banks along Hillers Creek
Belted Kingfishers excavate tunnels in these mud banks to nest each year. I’ve tried to photograph them coming to the nest but they slipped past me.
Farm Pond Creek and Fern Creek Join.
Here you can see where two creeks join just before spilling into Hillers Creek. If you are up for some steep climbing along rocks Farm Pond Creek and Fern Creek are with exploring. Since they face north you will find a lot of ferns and moss there, especially as you drop down the slope.
Black Willow, (Salix nigra)
Winter can offer surprising color. Here are some willow trees along the edge of Beaver Lake. Behind them is a prairie with a lot of Big Bluestem.
Fog in the PGT Woods
The winter woods can have a quiet beauty. Here you can see some fog in the woods just east of the PGT Center.