I recently learned that we live very close to the Armand Bayou Nature Center, so last weekend I decided to take the boys. Though I had heard the word "bayou" before (mostly in association with Jo Stafford song, to be perfectly honest), I wasn't 100% sure what it meant, so I looked it up. It's similar to marsh, wetland, bog - that kind of thing. The perfect adventure for us!
It was close enough for Misha and me to bike to within 25 minutes. Since it was a bit too far for Sebby on his scooter, I had the bright idea of tying him to my back with a big sheet Mozambique-style (thank you, Instructables). Luckily, there was a bike path alongside the main road that took us all the way to the bayou. By the time we arrived, I was more than ready to untie him and let him run free.
The boys took great interest in the sign suggesting what kinds of animals to look for in the bayou. Unfortunately, no matter how quietly Misha and strolled along, most of the animals had ample time to run and hide because of Sebby's dashing, singing, and loudly-voiced comments. As for the armadillo, the park ranger told us that they only come out at dusk, when the park is closed. However, mornings are a good time to view deer.
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| Turtle, check. At least we found something. |
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| This "gator safety" sign made me laugh. People have to be told everything! |
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| The cute and fuzzy puss moth caterpillar is actually one of the most toxic caterpillars in North America. |
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| Beautiful blue dragonfly. |
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| On the trail. |
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| Fascinated by fungus |
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| The purplest of berries. |
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| Spanish Moss |
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| Misha loved how the vines wove their way into the bark. |
We walked one of the many trails, which ended in the prairie grasses on the edge of the reserve.
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| Collecting seed pods beneath a perfect sky. |
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| Reminiscent of South Dakota |
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| A buckeye butterfly in the grass. |
There was an Interpretive Center which displayed baby alligators, turtles, frogs, and snakes. Sebby was hoping to see an alligator out in the bayou, but at least he got to see one in the aquarium!
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| Baby alligator |
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| A soft-shelled turtle. (So tempting to say taco.) |
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| Tree frog. |
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| Two rescued red-tailed hawks also lived at the reserve. |
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| After a fun afternoon wandering in the bayou, it was time to head home. I'm sure we'll come again! |
"Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou!"
1 comment:
where is that? In Houston? Great pictures some are keepers for walls
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