Polka Dot Forest

Who could imagine the variety of colors that greet the eye during springtime?I intentionally do not post a photo of spring colors for the simple reason that photographs don’t capture the real feeling.  Sometimes colors simply can’t be printed on a screen, or on paper, that equal the glorious display Momma Nature puts on seasonally.

From chartreuses, to lime, dark dark greens, I sometimes think Spring is more glorious than Autumn — but that might possibly be because I’m so tired of winter white and grays that any improvement seems specially exultant.

This year I don’t know if we are just at the right spot on earth, or if our timing is better, but we are being treated to a special delight in that the forests around here have turned polka dot with the white blossoms of dogwoods.  I don’t think I have ever been in an area my timing was perfect to see so many dogwoods in bloom simultaneously!

Polka Dot Dogwoods

It’s a treat!

Sandhill State Wildlife area exists both as a refuge for transient animals, as well as for a captive herd of deer being studied, and a bison herd of 11-20 animals (maintained at that level) part of the original donation by the family that contributed the land to the state.

If you visit you may not see another human.  There is no visitors center.  Upon arrival you are greeted by a kiosk and a high gate.  Admission is by manually opening (and closing) the gate and driving in, following the route, and then exiting the same way through a self-serve fence-gate.

At 9150 acres, it’s a good sized wildlife management area and the auto route can easily take you a couple hours if you stop to look around at all.  There are a few trails, an observation tower to (attempt to) view the bison, and numerous flowages which can be chock-a-block full of birds, or nearly empty depending on the season and your luck.

This was our second visit here and despite it seeming like an almost-abandoned complex there’s a great deal to see and listen to if you’re a twitched/birder/avid naturalist.