During the month of April I participated with nearly 2000 other bloggers worldwide in the “Blogging from A to Z Challenge” which is now in its 7th year. This was my second year to participate and this year’s theme for my series was “Wanderlust.” As a “Travelographer,” my posts tend to be photo heavy. I travel and take loads of photos. This is my way of sharing the wonders of the back roads of America.
Corner of This Way and That Way in Lake Jackson, TX
Following are links to the complete A to Z set. Just click on the banner for each and letter and enjoy the posts and the photos. I hope all readers will Enjoy the Ride as much as I have enjoyed sharing it!
There are not many better things on a back road trip than running into unexpected wildlife. There is an abundance of birds and animals to be discovered on the road. For me, my camera is always at the ready for the chance meeting of some interesting animal or bird.
Sandhill Cranes fly over high plains near Dell, MT
One such incident happened on a gravel road near Dell, Montana. I was on the lookout for bison as I drive along Ted Turner’s massive bison ranch. While stopped to look I heard a strange bird call that I had never heard and shortly thereafter a pair of large birds came zipping by. I got some shots, but wasn’t sure what I had until I got to the hotel later that night and discovered they were a pair of Sandhill Cranes, my first ever sighting of these glorious birds.
Sandhill Cranes near Cecilia, KYA pair of Sandhill Cranes at sunset near Cecilia, KY
Just a few years later in my own state of Kentucky I was able to track down a migration of 1000s of these magnificent birds. I actually came close to walking among their huge flock and they were flying all around me. Words can’t explain the awe I had.
These birds migrate north back to their homes in Michigan and Wisconsin and fly through Kentucky in late January. They stop in the bounteous cornfields to eat the leftovers that remained after harvest.
1000s of sandhill cranes converse on a field near Cecilia, KYSandhill Cranes take flightSandhill Cranes fly over Cecilia, KY
Chance encounters are always a thrill. On a morning drive in Grand Teton National Park on a snowy morning in March 2013, I caught a fox leaping in the snow out of the corner of my eye. The lovely animal stopped and stared at me as I sought to nab a shot.
Fox on Snow in Grand Teton National ParkMigrating Snow Geese by the hundreds in Arkansas in February 2017
On another trip earlier this year, we were driving on a backroad in Arkansas when we saw a “field of white” ahead of us. Turned out to be a massive flock of migrating snow geese.
There could have been 1000s of them here, much the same as the Sandhill Cranes I noted above. But it was such an unplanned surprise.
Once again, camera was always at the ready, so I was able to get a few shots while still sitting in the van (though we had to go about a mile down the road to turn around and accommodate the photo shoot.
Snow Geese everywhereA flock of Snow Geese darkens the sky1000s of snow geese in a small field in central Arkansas
Just like the snow geese, I happened upon a large flock of white pelicans at Andes Lake in South Dakota. I could see them from a distance and thought they were ducks.
Pelicans in Lake Andes, SDPelicans taking flight at Andes LakeAntelope in open range along the side of Wyoming 120
Of course, its not always about birds. There are plenty of opportunities in the high plains to come across America’s fastest animal, the pronghorn antelope.
On trips through Montana and Wyoming I always saw these lovely sleek animals. Sometimes I got them right on the side of the road.
I did have one lucky trip in 2013 when I was driving through Colorado and saw a mother and her two calves go jaunting through the tall grass. I was able to get a nice shot with my telephoto lens.
Antelope Doe and Calves as seen from CO Hwy 13 north of Craig, COAntelope just stared back at me…didn’t runA small family of pronghorn Antelope scamper across a field near Pulis Lane in Wilsall, Montana.Antelope on the Run in WyomingA big bison poses for me in Yellowstone
The National Parks are always a great place to get some nice wildlife shots. I have been to Yellowstone three times in the past 5 years and have seen a nice variety of wildlife, but mainly its the bison that roam free that are a thrill. I was amazed at how huge some of these guys get. One that walked by my car was at least 7 feet tall.
Bison and calves relax by a lake in YellowstoneBison roam freely along the Grand Loop roadBison relax along Lava Creek in Yellowstone while pronghorned antelope look on from the backgroundBuffalo in southern Montana on Ted Turner’s sprawling ranch near Dell, MTAnother Bison in Yellowstone ParkA solitary elk bull relaxes in the meadow at Yellowstone
Elk are another great large mammal to look for. I have seen them in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, as well as some of the mountain drives I made.
These are lovely animals. And, like the bison, are huge.
Elk Bull in Sugar City, IdahoAn Elk Bull near Elkton, OregonOne antlered elk bull on a breeding farm near Archer, IDAn elk was seen roaming the area around Mammoth Hot Springs in YellowstoneDeer at sunrise in Shenandoah National Park
The great culprit of car accidents and frequent recipient of roadkill awards are deer. These can be seen along highways everywhere both day and night.
I recently made a trip to Shenandoah National Park and got some very nice shots of deer. I have many more from other places, but these are my best.
Deer jumping away in Shenandoah National ParkDeer looking onDeer on the road from Paradise in Mt. Rainier National ParkDeer grazing in the snow in Lewistown, MontanaBald Eagle shot taken in mid April 2017 near Cave Run Lake, KY
Sometimes I make trips to find the wildlife myself. Such was the case recently on a visit to the fish hatchery near Cave Run Lake in Eastern Kentucky. I was in search of some of the bald eagles that hang around there. Found one!
There have been more sightings recently of these lovely and regal birds. I have seen one or two almost every week at Jacobson Park locally and also have been able to see a nest with three adults and two offspring near Taylorsville Lake west of Lexington.
Love these eagles.
Eagle at Jacobson Lake in LexingtonEagle at Taylorsville Lake, KYGreat Blue Heron
My most favorite wildlife subject is the Great Blue Heron. These huge birds hang around lakes and rivers in Kentucky and many other places. I literally have 1000s of photos of them. Here are a few recent ones from Lexington.
I have photos of these birds in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Ohio and other places as well.
Blue herons in Taylorsville LakeBlue Heron in Flight over Jacobson Lake in KentuckyBreakfast time
I could post dozens and dozens of other photos, but I will only add a few other wildlife shots to this post from my travels.
Cormorants in flight over KentuckyTurkey vulture gathering on a road in central KentuckyPrairie Dog – Cactus Flats, SDPrairie Dog — standing watch in Cactus FlatsA prairie dog scampers near the Camp Disappointment MonumentMama Doggie – Cactus Flats, SDPelicans in formation over the Gulf of Mexico in Galveston, TXA pelican starts its dive for a meal into the gulfPelicans fly in formation over the beach in GalvestonChristmas morning sunrise in Ocean City , MD and greeted by a dolphin in the foreground.A closeup shot of a seagull taken on Bremerton Ferry while crossing the Puget Sound in WashingtonSeagull in flight with the Gulf of Mexico behind itA couple of seagulls “converse” as they enjoy the view over Lake Superior in WisconsinA pair of seagulls glide by in GalvestonCaught some nice seagull shots in Egg Harbor, WIAn osprey in flightMountain Goat in the Badlands of South DakotaA Great Egret relaxes in the swamp near Uncertain, TexasA red squirrel with a mouthful in Nebraska City, NECattle Egret seen in Angleton, TexasI found a gator in Brazos Bend State Park in TexasAnother Gator in Brazos Bend State Park
It was a few years ago when I first visited Uncertain, TX (You can see my March 2012 Post here.). As a matter fact, it was on a cold day in February 2012 when I stopped by to see it for my first time. The real draw for me initially, was the name of the town, but the bigger draw ended up being the beautiful swamp-like setting of Caddo Lake.
This past weekend (Feb. 10, 2017) I had an opportunity again to visit this beautiful setting, this time with my daughter and her three children. Unlike my visit to Uncertain before, we had bigger sights set on seeing Caddo Lake and some of the swamp.
Our guide, Aaron Applebaum with Mystique ToursHanging with Aaron on our Swamp Tour
Upon arrival, we noticed that there was a group of people in a boat taking a tour of the lake and that looked very appealing. We continued driving around until we got to the main dock area and the tour had just arrived back and we were able to talk to the guy that ran the tour on the boat, Aaron Applebaum (see more at on their Facebook Page.).
A scene from Bald Cypress Swamp in Caddo LakeCaddo Lake
Now, I am not one that usually will spend $25 per adult for any kind of thing as I consider that to be fairly expensive. But the opportunity to take a ride into the swamp on a boat and see the beauty of the swamp, birds in their natural habitat and to hear some of the history, coupled with my daughter wishing they could do it was a little bit too much and so we decided to pitch in and we took a boat ride into Caddo Lake with Aaron…just my daughter, my three grandkids and me. This is one of those instances where it was well worth it!
One of Many Bayous in the lakeBald Cypress SwampCheck it out…8 year old Landen driving in the swamp while Aaron looks on.
Our guide and boat driver Aaron grew up in this area and currently resides in Uncertain. His father was also a boat guide on the lake for many many years and so he knows the lake very well. Not only was he informative, he was also courteous, and fun. There was one spot where he even let the three young children drive the boat in the lake. And that without him touching the steering wheel!!
I truly enjoyed the one hour tour
Eerie Sunshine through the trees
We enjoyed a lovely February Sky
Honestly, the views from the shore are pretty impressive, but once you are in the midst of the lake and floating through the various bayous and channels amidst the bald cypress trees, there is nothing that can express the awe and intrigue.
Caddo Lake, largest Natural Lake in TexasDaughter Marissa enjoys the tour of Caddo Lake
This lake, Caddo Lake, is the largest naturally formed lake in the state of Texas. Scientists believe the lake formed when floodwater, blocked by massive log jams on the Red River, backed up into the Cypress Bayou watershed. Caddo Lake was artificially dammed in the early 1900s, when oil was found, and for flood control in 1914. A new dam replaced the old one in 1971.
Another scene from Caddo LakeBoaters heading out to fish on Caddo Lake
The lake covers about 26,810 acres of cypress swamp, depending on rainfall. According to the Caddo Lake State Park Website, the lake’s average depth is 8 to 10 feet, while the deep water in the bayou averages about 20 feet. Aaron tells us that much of the lake only has a depth of around 4 to 5 feet.
Enjoying time with my granddaughter JoselynOld Lakehouse….used to serve as a place to drink on the “Wet County” side of the lake
The lake has its own “roadway” with marked signs that guide and direct those taking their boats and pontoons through the lake. These are areas where a dredge has cleared all of the stumps so there is room for the boats to pass and not scrape bottom. Having been on the lake for many years, Aaron knows the route very well and was able to traverses without any problems whatsoever.
A blue heron flies by on Caddo LakeA Great Egret relaxes in the swamp
In terms of seeing wildlife, February is probably not the best time to go see the lake. We were fortunate enough to see two or three blue herons, a couple of egrets, some turkey vultures and even caught a glimpse of a cormorant, which they call water turkey in the region.
A Blue Heron caught in the act of swallowing its dinner. Had to be a big fish as it struggled for a whileAnother Egret sits in the shallows as the wind blows its plumageA Turkey Vulture, also called a buzzard, flew way overheadA blue heron flies into the trees
Apparently, in the summertime, there are opportunities to catch glimpses of alligators and other wildlife on these boat tours. But the benefit of our trip in February, was low humidity, cooler temperatures and no mosquitoes! Doing without those skeeters was probably the best part of the tour (besides the expert guiding by Aaron.)
A serene capture of an egret in the swamp (photo by Marissa Noe)Sun shining through the treesCaddo Lake Institute was founded by singer Don Henley
We learned during the tour that the famous singer Don Henley, of the Eagles, owns a house on the lake and we got to see that. Apparently it’s been used for a couple of music videos. Henley is originally from the area and actually caught his first fish in Caddo Lake while a youth. He loves the lake and the natural habitat in the area and has provided funding to help conserve the lake. The Caddo Lake Institute (CLI) is a non-profit scientific and educational organization founded in 1992 by Henley with the mission of protecting the ecological, cultural and economic integrity of Caddo Lake, its associated wetlands and watershed.
Uncertain InnA typical rental cabin in Uncertain
The village of Uncertain also has a number of little resort cabins that can be rented and one can drive around and see all of them. Many of them have themes. One section had four cabins all with Moon in the name. Others had frogs in the name. But they are all very unique and would be a fun place to stay for a week sometime.
Swamp Plank Trail near one of the many rental cabins. (Photo by Marissa Noe)Watch out for Bigfoot in Uncertain (photo by Marissa Noe)
Overall, this was a wonderful adventure for all of us. Thanks to Aaron for the tour and thanks to all of the residents of Uncertain that make this place a worthy destination. you can be certain of a good time in Uncertain!!
Cabin Signs…Spatterdock is one rental groupBlue HeronYes, there is a Church of Uncertain!!Bigfoot sighting in Uncertain!!Panoramic view of Caddo Lake
During the month of April I participated with nearly 2000 other bloggers worldwide in the “Blogging from A to Z Challenge” which is now in its 7th year. This was my second year to participate and this year’s theme for my series was “Wanderlust.” As a “Travelographer,” my posts tend to be photo heavy. I travel and take loads of photos. This is my way of sharing the wonders of the back roads of America.
