2/6/13 First Wildflower for 2013 Season

Wildflower season is starting early this year.  This white trout lily was the first wildflower blooming I could find in Lost Valley. This was the first one on 2/6, on 2/8 there were 5 more, and I am sure they are picking up steam now.

This is a beautiful wild flower and one of the very earliest flowers. The season for them is short so if you want to see them its time to visit.

If you plan to photograph most of the Ozark wildflowers in the Buffalo River Region you will have to get out a few times. Some like this lily only hang around a few weeks at most. You can stretch your visits by checking out different venues.  Another outstanding wildflower venue is Smith Creek Preserve just south out of Boxley Valley.

Other good venues are the Mill Creek trail in Pruitt, the loop trails at Tyler Bend, and the Overlook trail at Buffalo Point.  Call the rangerfor specific advice, they will be glad to show you where wildflowers are in the middle and lower Buffalo National River areas.

Pruitt Ranger Station Information  Upper River
(870) 446-5373

Tyler Bend Visitor Center Information  Middle River
(870) 439-2502

Buffalo Point Ranger Station Information  Lower River
(870) 449-4311

White Trout Lily -- Lost Valley Hiking Trail

Winter Elk Sunrise in Boxley Valley

Sunrise can be stunning in winter in Boxley Valley.  This is one of my favorite bulls, Twinforks selectively lit in front of the old barn at te 43/21 instersection.  This picture is all about light.  To make a photo that feels like a painting this is the light you want.  It is angular, mixed, and subtle.  Only afterward did I notice 2 sparring bulls in the distant shadows just above twinforks hips.

The very best opportunities to get great pictures of bull elk are in the mornings. For a brief period of time angular light is warm and soft. At this same time the animals are closer to the road. The results speak for themselves.

This Morning in Boxley Valley

Prince and another bull sparring right next to Highway 43 just north of the Mill Pond. Decided to do this in BW for a change.

This sparring went on for about 20 minutes. These 2 bulls will vie for a cow herd next year.

2/8/13 Elk Viewing Great -- Best Bull Viewing So Far

This morning was exceptional for bull elk viewing and photography. The big guys were mid-valley and close to the road.  Prince and another big bull did some spirited sparring that required me to dial back to 300 mm to photograph.

Otherwise there is a good sized herd with a bull in the Ponca fields, and another good sized herd hanging around Smith Creek. The bulls are just north of the mill pond in mid-valley so there is viewing from end to end in Boxley Valley.

The big news is the early arrival of the wildflower season. Recent rains and warm weather have stimulated an early bloom. I will be blogging on this later. What we are witnessing is global warming.

The February 8, 2013 elk herd map is below:

2/6/13 First Wildflowers Have Arrived Early

Just a quick note. Today I saw a number of wildflowers very early, perhaps a month early.

Harbinger of Spring was joined by Bluets, Johnny Jump Up, and a White Trout Lily -- all in bloom. Earlier I saw Dead Nettle in bloom. Also today some spring frogs were chirping and on the Boxley Mill Pond I observed sunning turtles.

Global warming is changing the cycles of nature. Looks like the early wildflower season will be very early this year. More on this later.

2/3/13 Elk & Other Wildlife Watching Update

This is an update of my last map.

Elk viewing was very good this morning, probably over 100 animals in 4 herds. The very best opportunities were at the opposite ends of Boxley Valley.  There is a herd hanging around the fields closest to Ponca, and 2 more herds in the south end of the valley near the Buffalo River.

2 bald eagles were on the Boxley Mill Pond, along with hunting otter early, a flock of at least 30 ducks and of course the 2 trumpeter swans.

Today is a perfect day to hike, a perfect activity to combine with your wildlife watching.

2/1/13 Elk Viewing Great

Elk and wildlife viewing is very good now in Boxley Valley. This morning there were 4 herds visible and 2 were very close to the road. It was 18 degrees, perfect elk weather.

On the mill pond there has been pretty big flock of ducks now for a couple of weeks. The 2 resident trumpeter swans add to the show.  Yesterday there was a bald eagle hunting the pond, and this morning there were 2 otter.

Expect wildflowers to bloom early this year. Warm weather has them sprouting already. I photographed the first bloom of 2013 a few days ago -- Dead Nettle. I am certain Harbinger of Spring will show up next week at the latest, and shortly thereafter the rest of the early spring crew.