You are here: Home / Archives for Fun / Kentucky Wildlife

Bird Watching at Land Between the Lakes

by

As you can probably tell,  we’re pretty much obsessed with wildlife, birds, and butterflies at Genuine Kentucky.  Truth be told, I’m becoming more than a little intrigued with insects as well -dragonflies, lady bugs, stick bugs, lightning bugs… such cool little guys.  Even more reason to love living in Kentucky.  We have such a beautiful variety of these fascinating animals.

One of my favorite things to do when in the Land Between the Lakes area (in addition to eating catfish  – another obsession) is to look for and observe wildlife.  Whether we’re at the outstanding Woodland’s Nature Center, the equally outstanding Elk & Bison Prairie or hanging out at one of the beautiful state parks – my eyes are always peeled for extra-special locals.

When you’re in the Land Between the Lakes area, I hope you’ll take in all the beauty around you – including the amazing array of birds.  At many of the travel brochure stands in the area, you’ll find a pamphlet titled “LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES AREA BIRD CHECKLIST.”  This extremely handy little guide lists the different birds you could potentially see while at Land Between the Lakes.

If you’d like to print out your own guide, you can do that too!  LBL.org has thought of everything and has an online version of the Land Between the Lakes Bird Checklist.

The pamphlet lists the places below as “Recommended Birding Spots”

  • Kentucky Dam
  • Hematite Lake and Trail
  • Honker Lake, Bay, and Trail
  • Woodlands Nature Station Backyard
  • North/South Trail – Sugar Bay to Rhodes Bay
  • Shaw Branch Road – (153/134) from Hwy 68/80 to Energy Lake
  • Elk & Bison Prairie
  • South Oak Grassland Demonstration Area
  • The Homeplace
  • Fort Henry Trails
  • South Welcome Station and Bear Creek

I’d add the following Birding Opportunistic sites in the Land Between the Lakes Region:

  • Lake Barkley State Resort Park
  • Kentucky Dam Village
  • Kenlake Lodge
  • Grand Rivers Jetty at Sunset – At Lighthouse Landing on Kentucky Lake, Grand Rivers, Kentucky
  • Little Lake Park (Grand Rivers) – Located on Commerce Street behind the Badgett Playhouse

For more information on any of these areas (including maps), visit the links below:

Grand Rivers Attractions

Land Between the Lakes

Kenlake State Resort Park

Kentucky Dam Village

Lake Barkley State Resort Park

Filed Under: Blog, Grand Rivers, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Birds, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Wildlife, Lake Barkley, Lake Barkley SRP, LBL

Woodlands Nature Station at Land Between the Lakes (Slideshow and Pictures)

by

Michael and I recently had the pleasure of spending the morning at the amazing Woodlands Nature Station at Land Between the Lakes.  For a nature lover, such as myself ,who never feels more alive than when she’s near birds, animals, plants, and flowers – this is a type of paradise on earth.

We’ve put this post together in an effort to pay tribute to the Woodlands Nature Station, its beautiful wildlife, and the wonderful people who take such wonderful care of them.

Please enjoy the beautiful pictures, taken by Michael, in the slideshow below.

Read more about the Woodlands Nature Station below the slideshow!

[slidepress gallery='woodlands-nature-station']

About the Woodlands Nature Station:

The Woodlands Nature Station is staffed by partners at “Friends of LBL.” The station serves to connect humans with nature by allowing them to experience its beauty and by educating them about its many wonders.  People of all ages will benefit greatly from a visit to Woodlands Nature Station – as many visits as possible actually!

Photographers couldn’t ask for a better place to flaunt their skills.  Seriously, a photographer could spend hours at the Nature Station and never run out of photo opportunities.

The Nature Station is an ideal place for parents and grandparents to take children.  Not only will they enjoy the magic and wonder of these amazing birds and animals – they’ll learn a great deal… before they even realize what’s going on, they’ll gain an education while having fun!

The Nature Station, on April 16, 2010, welcomed a female red wolf from the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee.  She’s a partner for the Station’s male red wolf who lost his 15 year old partner last year.  The red wolf is currently on the Federal Endangered Species List and “partnerships” such as this are trying to make sure they find their way off of this list.

What I love most about the Nature Station is this:  Other than the red wolves (who are part of a captive breeding program to save the species), each of the animals and birds (coyotes, turkeys, vultures, bobcat, bald eagle, snakes….) have been rescued – they would not be able to survive in the wild.

I’m also impressed with the way these amazing animals are treated and loved.  There is a sign hanging near the turkeys that asks the public not to “gobble” at the turkeys because the male turkey is “very old” and they don’t want him to be stressed out.  I love that!  The man who was working the front desk was also extremely, extremely friendly and spoke with such love for the animals that it really touched my heart.

When he spoke of the aged turkey, he seemed to be talking about a much-loved friend.

You know what, I believe he was.

The Nature Station is located north of the Golden Pond Visitor Center and is open daily (April 1 – October 31) From November through March, the Nature Station is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Hours:  9 am – 5 pm. Monday through Saturday and 10 am – 5 pm on Sunday.

Admission:  $4.00 ages 13 and up, $2 ages 5-12, 4 and under free.

More Information: http://www.lbl.org/NSGate.html

Please visit the Nature Station and lend your support to these beautiful animals. I like to think there’s a special place in Heaven for people who love animals and who make it their business to appreciate and care for them.

Filed Under: Blog, Featured, Kentucky Birds, Kentucky Wildlife, LBL Tagged With: ,

Kentucky Afield: Fishing Fireworks

by

Fireworks Of Fishing This Weekend On “Kentucky Afield” TV
In honor of the Fourth of July weekend, Kentucky Afield is having their own kind of fireworks. They’ll feature a retrospective of the most exciting fishing trips in recent years on “Kentucky Afield” television this weekend, July 3 and 4.

The fun begins in eastern Kentucky on the Little Sandy River. There, one fish whose bite says ka-boom is muskellunge. As showcased on the “Best of Kentucky Afield Fishing” DVD, host Tim Farmer tags along with local expert Bob Elliott.

On the opposite end of the state, viewers will visit Kentucky Lake for bluegill with Roy Kenady. The Christian County resident puts Farmer on an excellent catch, as the fish are ready to spawn.

At Lake Barkley, one species anglers circle in red is the redear sunfish. Some call them shellcrackers, but today, they are like firecrackers. Farmer takes notes from Jack Devor on his homemade jigs and baits that sweeten the catch.

“Kentucky Afield” is a production of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. It is the longest continuously running outdoor television show in the nation. The program airs at 8:30 p.m. Eastern /7:30 p.m. Central Saturdays, and repeats at 4 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Central Sundays on KET 1. To see the latest news about “Kentucky Afield” television and view your favorite show segments from the past, sign up today for the electronic newsletter. Visit fw.ky.gov on the Internet and click the Kentucky Afield Newsletter icon.

Filed Under: Fishing, Holidays in Kentucky, Kentucky Wildlife, Kentucky's Lakes, Lake Barkley, News

Shutterbugs, Lake Barkley’s Calling You!

by

Shutterbugs: Brush up Nature Photography at Digital Camera Workshop!

Digital photographers, here’s your chance too sharpen your skills at a nature photography workshop coming to beautiful Lake Barkley State Resort Park on April 17th. Award-winning nature photographer Curt Hart will lead the workshop which begins Saturday at 9a.m. Hart has captured more than 100 species of birds and wildlife with his camera and will share his techniques and expertise with workshop participants during the full-day workshop.

From Lake Barkley State Resort Park:
The program includes classroom instruction, time in the field, critique and editing processes. The fee is $75 and lunch is included. Class size is limited so reserve early for this popular event. Call 1-800-325-1708 to reserve a spot or for more information. This workshop is recommend for DSL camera owners.

The workshop is a perfect excuse to plan a family/friend weekend getaway at Lake Barkley in the heart of far west Kentucky. The park is the largest resort park in Kentucky’s system and the lodge affords a spectacular view of the lake through massive windows. Mid April falls in the thick of spring and is a magical time to be being surrounded by natural beauty and capture the landscape in photos.

Besides the lodge, the park includes cottages, the Windows on the Water Restaurant, a seasonal campground, 18-hole golf course, fitness center with indoor pool, marina, fishing, tennis courts, hiking trails, gift shop, and recreational and nature programming.  It’s near Cadiz and the Land Between the Lakes at 3500 State Park Road just off I-24. Exit at Highway 68 and go west toward Cadiz and the park.

For more information contact Nick Edmonds at nick.edmonds@ky.gov or call the lodge at call 1-800-325-1708.

Filed Under: Events, Kentucky Birds, Kentucky in Pictures, Kentucky Wildlife, Lake Barkley, Lake Barkley SRP, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: , ,

Darryl Worley on Kentucky Lake, Fishing, and the Bassmaster Classic

by

Many people officially start thinking about Spring and Summer with the Bassmaster Classic.  For me, it’s official when Baseball’s preseason begins!  Maybe that’s because I do more eating fish than Darryl Worley will be playing Feb. 19 (today) at the Bassmaster Classic prior to the opening-day weigh-in in Birmingham.

ESPN put together a great article/interview with Darryl Worley in which he talks about  fishing on Kentucky Lake, the Grand Ole Opry, and giving back.  Darryl Worley is our kind of people and he’ll definitely make you want to visit his hometown of Savannah, Tennessee AND get out on Kentucky Lake for a little fishing.  Read the interview by clicking the following link: Darryl Worley and the Bassmaster Classic:  Kentucky Lake, Fishing, and Giving Back

Be sure to watch the Bassmaster Classic on ESPN.

Filed Under: Fishing, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Wildlife Tagged With: , ,
Newer Posts »
        St Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series Champion Fans