Visit to Donaldson's Woods (pictures)

[ancjr]

Took a stroll through the old-growth woods at Spring Mill State Park with my brother yesterday.  8)

One of the first things we came upon in a prescribed burn area outside the old-growth area.  A large patch of Prairie Dock.


A short walk further down the trail along some steep cliffs and crossing a road, we entered the Donaldson Woods Nature Preserve which is the old-growth area.  The air changed abruptly when entering - very still, slightly more humid and a peaty aroma - the still air and humidity likely contributed to it feeling slightly warmer as well.

Pawpaw are very plentiful here.  The understory was like a miniature "Indiana Banana" plantation in some parts.


Pretty good sized Oak tree near the path.  Seeing how small I make the tree look, it might be time to watch my diet!   ;)


A panoramic picture that shows everything from the ferns to the canopy.


There are also some pretty good sized Hickories.


Mitchell Karst Plain common feature: water filled cave!  This is a view of Twin Caves.


Near the end of the trail.


Definitely enjoyable and worth seeing if you like to be in the woods! 

[pigman]

I had the pleasure of visiting Spring Mill State Park a few years ago. I only took a short walk in the woods , but did see the water powered grismill and the water powered sawmill.

[ancjr]

I've been multiple times and have yet to see the Pioneer Village.  The woods draw me in before I get back there.   :D

[sandhills]

Nice pictures and be willing to bet a great time!  Can you or anyone else tell me, what you call Prairie Dock, is that what we call Sour dock?  Looks to be about the same plant.

[WDH]

That hickory on the right was sure a big one  :D  Good stuff ancjr. 

[ancjr]

They say the nut doesn't fall far from the tree...

:D

[ancjr]

Nice pictures and be willing to bet a great time!  Can you or anyone else tell me, what you call Prairie Dock, is that what we call Sour dock?  Looks to be about the same plant.

I did a search and researched several sites about Spring Mill and was led to a consensus of it being "Prairie Dock" which is Silphium terebinthinaceum - the USDA Plants site lists "prairie rosinweed" as an alternate name

Looking up "Sour Dock" leads me to Rumex crispus - which does indeed look very similar.

If it were flowering, it would definitely be a surer guess which one it truly was.

[thecfarm]

A nice walk and nice pictures.

[Corley5]

Nice pictures and be willing to bet a great time!  Can you or anyone else tell me, what you call Prairie Dock, is that what we call Sour dock?  Looks to be about the same plant.

I did a search and researched several sites about Spring Mill and was led to a consensus of it being "Prairie Dock" which is Silphium terebinthinaceum - the USDA Plants site lists "prairie rosinweed" as an alternate name

Looking up "Sour Dock" leads me to Rumex crispus - which does indeed look very similar.

If it were flowering, it would definitely be a surer guess which one it truly was.

Looks like horseradish to me  ;D 8)