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Kentucky Pictures of the Day: Indian Pink Flowers at the Nature Station in the LBL

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Indian Pink at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes
Few things in nature fill me with as much joy as a blooming flower. I once read something that said flowers were God smiling. Love that – all the way to the moon and back.

These beautiful flowers were in full bloom at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes last summer. The animals and birds aren’t the only beautiful things at this one of a kind place! The flowers, trees, and other ornamental plants are always a joy to see and photograph.

With Genuine Kentucky, I have the great fortune of speaking with a lot of photographers (usually amateur, like myself) around the state. Inevitably, I find a way to let them know that they simply MUST get to the Land Between the Lakes and see (and photograph) all there is to see (and photograph). Woodlands Nature Station is just one of the beautiful spots I urge them to visit.

I also strongly recommend (okay, maybe I nag) the LBL to parents, animal lovers, tree huggers, flower lovers, etc.

There is something for everyone and then some.

Am I nagging again? I’m nagging again.

{More Below…}

Indian Pink at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes
Enjoy the pictures – and get your beautiful self to the LBL as often as possible this year. Odds are I’ll see you there. I’ll be the one (more likely than not) wearing something related to the St. Louis Cardinals and taking pictures fast and furious of every bird, animal, tree, flower, and occasional smug turtle.

Indian Pink at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

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

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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.

Groundhog at Woodlands Nature Station in Kentucky's LBL

Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes: An Animal Lover’s Paradise

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Red Wolf at Woodlands Nature Station
Beautiful Red Wolf (Those Eyes!)
As I said in my last post, Turkeys Strutting Their Stuff at Woodlands Nature Station, no two visits to the Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes are the same. You’ll see different animals and birds doing different things each time.

While our recent visit found feisty turkeys taking center stage, a host of other beautiful animals also made our day extra, extra special.

The best way to enjoy these animals is, of course, in person, but pictures are the next best thing. I hope these pictures – as well as the other pictures of Woodlands Nature Station on Genuine Kentucky – will inspire you to visit them soon and visit them often.

There are a lot more birds and animals (a bobcat that’s one of my favorite things in the world, owls, an adorable possum, etc…) than the ones shown below, these are simply the ones who were wide awake during the time we were there. There are also snakes indoors but, we have a treaty – I avoid them, they avoid me. If you aren’t saddled with a phobia the size of Texas, you’d probably enjoy them.

Red Wolf

I love animals the way other people love oxygen.  They are everything. One of my favorite things is to see how wild animals and our pets sometimes behave similarly. I love to see “big” cats exhibiting some of the same mannerisms my own cats do. I think it’s just too cute for words.

On our recent visit, a coyote and a red wolf both did a few things that reminded me of domesticated dogs. The coyote stood up at his (her?) fence, anticipating lunch. The wolf walked around her (his?) beautiful domain, then laid on the ground for a nap JUST like a German Shepherd we had used to do – right on her belly with her legs kicked out behind her.

Too cute!

Ground Hog

The ground hog apparently keeps a different schedule than we do because most of the time he’s napping while we’re at the Nature Station. This particular afternoon, however, he was wide awake. I’d almost forgotten how adorable he is!

I would have taken more pictures of this little cutie, but I was promptly distracted by turkeys who all but demanded our attention.

Eagle

The word Majestic doesn’t seem to cut it, does it? Like the other animals and birds at The Nature Station, this gorgeous eagle could not survive on his own. This is a wonderful chance to see one of the most beautiful animals in the world up close.

Deer and Turkeys

The deer and turkeys have an amazingly beautiful home at the Nature Station. The entire setting is so uncommonly peaceful and relaxing, I could just sit and watch them all day.

Coyote

Like the Red Wolf, the coyote reminds me so much of a pet… not that I’d EVER make the mistake of treating her/him as such.  I’m an animal lover, but I’m not a dumb one. The way it watched for lunch was too cute for words.

Turtles

There are turtles outside at the Nature Station in a wonderful enclosure – complete with their own pond. There are  some smaller guys inside – near the you-know-whats that I don’t even glance at.  Turtle lovers, like my youngest daughter, will get a huge kick out of these beauties.

Coyote at Woodlands Nature Station

Turkeys: Strutting Their Stuff at Woodlands Nature Station in the LBL

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Turkeys at the Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes (LBL)
Without a single doubt, one of the greatest spots in the world is Kentucky’s own Land Between the Lakes Recreational Area (LBL). Animal lovers, history buffs, lovers of the beautiful outdoors, families, bird watchers, adventure-seekers… there’s something for everyone.

Being one of those “animal lovers” and “bird watchers”  as well as a “lover of the beautiful outdoors,” I always visit Woodlands Nature Station when we’re in the Land Between the Lakes. The only problem is I never want to leave!

We had Opening Day 2016 marked on our calendars and went as soon as possible. I can’t remember if it was one or two days after they actually opened – but I know it was much too long to wait.

{Continued below the video…}

One of my personal favorite animals at the Nature Station is the gorgeous bobcat. I’m a stereotypical “Crazy Cat Lady,” so this is pretty much a given. Although she slept during our visit, the other animals more than made up for it – especially the turkeys, who put on a great show for us!

We took plenty of pictures of these beautiful birds and I was able to make a few videos. As luck would have it, just as I was in the middle of transitioning between camera and cellphone, several male turkeys had a “gobbling” match and it was really something to see AND hear.

Like children who won’t do what you want when you want, they refused to say another word after I resumed videoing them.

I really got a kick out of the way they “shake” and “ruffle” their feathers, which creates a really cool sound. The males were putting on a fantastic show for the females – we just got lucky enough to witness it all.

I’ll add more pictures from the day shortly – I was just anxious to let the turkeys show off and strut their beautiful stuff.

The wonderful thing about the Nature Station (in addition to the beautiful animals, trees, plants, and birds, that is) is this: It is never the same twice. Each time you go, a different animal or bird takes center stage, so to speak. Different birds will be at the many feeders, different animals will be up to varying shenanigans, different flowers will be showing off, etc.

The Nature Station is just too wonderful to describe. That’s why I take so many pictures! You’ll fall further in love with the colorful residents each time you go.

On a somewhat related note… I’m never eating turkey again.

Ever.

Turkeys at the Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes (LBL)

Spring Break Activities at Woodlands Nature Station

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Bobcat at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes (November 2015)

She Has One of the Most Beautiful Faces in Kentucky: Bobcat at Woodlands Nature Station!

There are A LOT of fun and educational events scheduled at Woodlands Nature Station during area schools’ Spring Break week. Programs for all ages will be offered daily from March 30 through April 10, as part of Kids Outdoor Days: Spring Break Week at Land Between The Lakes.

Programs offer family-friendly opportunities to get outdoors, have fun, and enjoy up-close encounters with amazing animals – from a gorgeous bald eagle to coyotes! Some of the highlights include archery, outdoor survival skills, geocaching, and encounters with live snakes, owls, deer, and more. Nature Station is open 10am-5pm, Wednesday through Sunday during March and November, and 7 days a week April through October.

“Come out and enjoy Nature Station’s wildlife programs and outdoor activities. These programs offer family outdoor adventure while providing valuable learning experiences.” – Aviva Yasgur, Naturalist at the Nature Station

Purchase an LBL Fun Card this spring for discounted general admissions to our day-use facilities. Fun Cards with 10 visits cost $35 and can be used at Nature Station, Homeplace, and Golden Pond Planetarium in any combination of visits.

Check out the Calendar of Events to learn about programs happening throughout the year at Nature Station and across Land Between The Lakes. Follow Nature Station on Twitter @LBLNature.

Here is the complete Spring Break week program schedule for Nature Station, March 30-April 10:

Wed., Mar. 30
2:30pm  Talkin’ Turkeys

3:30pm  For Goodness Snakes!

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

 

Thur., Mar. 31
2:30pm  Bites, Stings, & Venomous Things

3:30pm  Dinnertime for Bald Eagle

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

 

Fri., Apr. 1
10am-4pm  April Fools Scavenger Hunt: What’s Wrong Here?

11:30am  Homeschoolers Month Program: Radical Reptiles & Awesome Amphibians

3:30pm  Help Us Feed the Deer!

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

 

Sat., Apr. 2–Sun., Apr. 10

10am-4:30pm  Geocaching Egg Hunt

(Self-guided activity. Clues & coordinates available at Nature Station.)

 

Sat., Apr. 2
11am-2pm  Cooking Over a Campfire Demonstration

11am-4pm  Archery for All!

2-3pm  Geocaching 101

3:30pm  Dinnertime for Red Wolves

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

 

Sun., Apr. 3
11:30am  Snake Feeding Sundays

2:30pm  Kid vs. Wild: Outdoor Survival Skills for Kids

3:30pm  Mystery Animal Encounter

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

 

Mon., Apr. 4
11:30am  Homeschoolers Month Program: Incredible Insects

2:30pm  Critters in the Campground

3:30pm  Howlin’ Good Time with Coyotes

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

 

Tue., Apr. 5
11:30am  Homeschoolers Month Program: Spring Nature Hike

2:30pm  Nature Station Jungle Book

3:30pm  Treats for Turkeys

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

 

Wed., Apr. 6
11:30am  Homeschoolers Month Program: Amazing Animals Backyard Tour

2:30pm  Build a Birdhouse

3:30pm  For Goodness Snakes!

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

 

Thur., Apr. 7
11:30am  Homeschoolers Month Program: Pond Prowl

2:30pm  Venomous Snakes of Kentucky & Tennessee

3:30pm  Dinnertime for Bald Eagle

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

 

Fri., Apr. 8
11:30am  Homeschoolers Month Program: Radical Reptiles & Awesome Amphibians

2:30pm  Birding for Kids

3:30pm  Help Us Feed the Deer!

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

 

Sat., Apr. 9
11:30am  Pet vs. Wild
2pm  Wild Edibles Hike & Tasting

(Reservations & additional fee required: call 270-924-2020.)

3:30pm  Dinnertime for Red Wolves

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

 

Sun., Apr. 10
11:30am  Snake Feeding Sundays

2:30pm  Treasure Hunt Hike

3:30pm  Mystery Animal Encounter

4:30pm  Parade of Raptors

White-breasted Nuthatch at Woodlands Nature Station
About the Land Between the Lakes

Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area manages more than 170,000 acres in western Kentucky and Tennessee as part of the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture’s public lands program. Land Between The Lakes offers outdoor recreation, lake access, land management, and environmental education to over 1.4 million visitors annually. The Friends of Land Between The Lakes works in partnership with the Forest Service providing program services, funds development, and volunteer support.

To find more information about Land Between The Lakes, log on to the official website at www.landbetweenthelakes.us or call toll-free at 1-800-LBL-7077 or local at 270-924-2000. For more information on the Friends of Land Between The Lakes, log on to www.friendsoflbl.org.

Land Between The Lakes official Twitter accounts include@LBLScreechOwl, @LBLNature, @LBLHomeplace, and @LandBtwnLakes, and Pinterest www.pinterest.com/lblnra.

Also on Genuine Kentucky:

  1. Pictures of Land Between the Lakes
  2. Things to Do in Kentucky
  3. Top 10 Things I Love About the Homeplace in the LBL

 

"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

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