The Nature Station | Genuine Kentucky

Picture of the Day: Squirrel and Friend at Woodlands Nature Station

August 13, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Squirrel and Bird at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

If you’ve read Genuine Kentucky for any length of time, you know I’m not just your run-of-the-mill animal lover. I am obsessed with all things furry and feathered. Obsessed. This is one of the reasons I spend as much time as possible in the Land Between the Lakes region. With the Elk & Bison Prairie, the Homeplace, and Woodlands Nature Station, it’s a wonder I ever actually leave once I’m there.

The wonderful thing about the Nature Station is that you see more than just the beautiful and amazing animals the center cares for and protects. You also get to enjoy and photograph countless birds, squirrels, and even the occasional skunk, if you’re lucky!

The squirrel in these pictures posed for me beautifully and his friend behind him never moved.

I actually put my phone down and just watched them for a long time. I’m sure I’ve seen too many Disney movies in my life (if there’s even such a thing as “too” many), but they honestly seemed to be hanging out with each other.

Admittedly, I spend a great deal of time encouraging you to visit the LBL – whether it’s been a while since you did so or if you’ve never been. This is an amazing part of Kentucky and the attractions are something you’ll talk about all year.

Well, let me correct myself, actually. You’ll talk about your experiences for years to come. We sat in a car surrounded by big, majestic bison (as they crossed the road) in the Prairie three or four years ago and frequently talk about it to this day.

We also talk about HUGE heirloom tomatoes we saw at the Homeplace, like, six years ago! Seriously, I’ve never seen anything like them and I think about them nearly each time I slice a fresh tomato. We also talk about the time I practically laid on my stomach in the leaves to take a picture of a skunk at the Nature Station. I was more worried about getting a great shot than I was of being “shot” by the little stinker.

Suffice to say, whether you are into photography, animals, Kentucky, trees, travel, or making memories with your family (or, like me, you’re all about EACH one) – the Land Between the Lakes is the place to be. I promise you, you will fall head over heels in love with everything about it.

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August is Hummingbird Month at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

July 19, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Hummingbird at the Nature Station in the LBL

I have been fascinated by all birds since I was barely able to walk. They’re just as fascinating today as they were then – many, many, many moons ago. Hummingbirds (my dad’s absolute favorite bird) are always a special joy for bird lovers, aren’t they? Unfortunately, in the grand scheme of time, they aren’t around long at all. In fact, if your experience is like mine has been this year, it’s going to be even shorter because the little beauties seemed particularly late in arriving this year.

Like all good bird watching nerds, I keep a bird journal and they weren’t just days late, they were weeks late!

Next month, August, is actually peak hummingbird viewing season in many parts of the region, including the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

Hundreds of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds rest and fuel up in the gardens and feeders at Woodlands Nature Station for their migratory journey south. Nature Station naturalists present special hummingbird programs throughout August included with regular admission to the Nature Station: $5 ages 13 and older, $3 ages 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and younger.

Optimal hummingbird viewing begins in mid-July and lasts throughout August. The Nature Station provides a unique opportunity for up to 10 people during an Early Morning Hummingbird Photo Session. Photographers may also photograph butterflies, native wildflowers, and rescued wildlife including the red wolves and bobcat during their most active time of day. The Early Morning Hummingbird Photo Sessions begin at 9am on August 13 and 27. The cost is $10 per person. Call 270-924-2020 for reservations.

On August 20, the Nature Station opens early for Hummingbird Café. Enjoy breakfast among the native wildflower gardens and hummingbird feeding frenzy. The cost is $10 per person; call 270-924-2020 for reservations.

Nature Station visitors can enter Nature Station’s first ever Hummingbird Photo Contest by submitting a hummingbird photo taken at the Nature Station during August. Winners will have their photos displayed at Hummingbird Fest 2017. See full contest details on the web at http://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/nature-station-hummingbird-photo-contest-2016/.

Click for a larger view.Special programs offered in August include:

Throughout August – Nature Station Hummingbird Photo Contest
Friday, August 5, 6-8pm – Dinner with the Hummingbirds (reservations required)
Saturday & Sunday, August 6 & 7 – 20^th Anniversary Hummingbird Festival
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10:30am – Morning with the Hummingbirds
Wednesdays at 11:30am – Hummingbirds of the World
Saturdays, August 13 & 27 at 9am – Exclusive: Early Morning Photo Session (reservations required)
Saturday, August 20 at 9am – Hummingbird Café (reservations required)
Sundays, August 14, 21, & 28 at 2pm – Knee-high Naturalists: Hummingbirds

Contact the Nature Station at 270-924-2299 with questions or for more information about Hummingbird Month.

Beautiful Groundhog at Woodlands Nature Station (Picture of the Day)

June 8, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Groundhog at Woodlands Nature Station in Kentucky's LBL

The cutie above is one of our favorite residents of Woodlands Nature Station in Kentucky’s LBL. He is so cute it ought to be a sin… or a crime at the very least.

Like all of the animals, reptiles, and birds at the Nature Station, the Groundhog has a carefree life of ease.

If you don’t believe me, just look at the picture above!

The picture below isn’t too clear (it’s hard for an animal lover like me to both adore the animals and photograph them at the same time) but I had to show you his adorable eye….. He was in the process of wanting to sleep, but not wanting to miss all the crazy humans buzzing around. I’m also pretty wild about his little feet and hands.

Sigh. Too cute.

Beautiful (and Smug) Turtles at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

May 31, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Alligator Snapping Turtle Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

Handsome Alligator Snapping Turtle at the Nature StationIt was a WILD Memorial Day Weekend at the Nature Station in the LBL. Naturally, we went and naturally it was a blast.

While I have a pretty healthy knowledge of birds and most animals, I am positively sitting on empty when it comes to knowledge of any kind when it comes to reptiles. While some creepy crawlies make my hair stand on end, I do like turtles. They’re cute and I appreciate the way they kind of keep to themselves. They don’t go looking for trouble and I like that attitude.

When I hear they’d be having a “hands on” demonstration with turtles Sunday, I set myself up with a front row position. I figured it’d be a great time to go from “empty” on knowledge to at least 1/4 a tank. Not only were the Nature Station workers a wealth of information, they inspired me to come home and research turtles to learn even more.
That’s one of the most beautiful things about places like the Nature Station, Elk & Bison Prairie, and The Homeplace – each place is an education, disguised as entertainment for all ages.

Add this to the top 3 places I never want my fingers to be!

Alligator Snapping Turtle

The alligator snapping turtle (pictured at the top and above) is one of the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world and, let’s be honest, he’s quite a looker. This turtle is often linked to the common snapping turtle, but they really aren’t that closely related. You do not… not, not, not.. want to handle an alligator snapping turtle. Leave it to the professionals or you will be sorry. They’re bite is outrageous and you never want to find that out “first hand.”

The alligator snapping turtle is found primarily in the southeastern United States, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Indiana, and Missouri.

The Nature Station also has common snapping turtles which aren’t quite as large as the guy pictured above. Still not an animal you want to touch, mind you.

Turtles at Woodlands Nature Station

The beauties (pictured above and below) are probably my favorite turtles at Woodlands Nature Station. I love these pictures – the fact that they’re looking at the camera, the fact that you can see their reflection in the pond… but most of all I love their smugness. They’re looking at me like, “WHAT?!?!”

That adorable smugness is going to earn them a spot in the slider rotation of pictures on the front of Genuine Kentucky, I guarantee it.

Turtles at Woodlands Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)

Beautiful Smug Turtles Enjoying the Sun!

If we’re being honest, why wouldn’t the turtles be smug? The animals at Woodlands Nature Station don’t just have it good, they have it dang good. The staff treats them as well as most of us treat our pets and the respect they show to them (and demand from others on their behalf) blows me away each time. On this particular trip, the man and young lady who were handling the turtles handled them as you’d expect someone to handle a newborn.

In fact, whenever they’d return the turtles to the water, they did so with such care that hardly a ripple was made in the water. As an animal lover, I respect the heck out of that.

Whether you have children, grandchildren, or simply love animals, yourself, be sure to check out the following information about seasonally recurring events at Woodlands Nature Station: