Hairy Vetch...

In the foreground we see hairy vetch, with the violet blooms, growing in and "old field" habitat community. This area was once farmed but is now slowly returning to nature. Trembling aspen trees are also beginning to take over in certain areas. The leaves of this tree shake in the lightest of breeze in a manner mostly characteristic of this tree only.

"Old field" is also generally the most vulnerable to human intervention through development since it tends to require less effort in preparation for uses other than wildlife habitat. It is one of the most threatened and scarce habitat communities in the state.

Indian Pipe...

Monotropa Uniflora...commonly known as indian pipe, ghost plant, or corpse plant is a herbaceous perennial and does not contain chlorophyll. It is a parasitic plant and not light dependent since it obtains energy from its host plants which are photosynthetic trees. These are among the most spectacular and strange plants found in Oatka Creek Park and found in the forested areas and sometimes along heavily shaded paths close to forested areas.

Mushrooms...

There appears to be fungus among us!

I Could be Deadly...

Fungi appeared this particular year around the end of July and were quite spectacular. Some years seem to produce few mushrooms. They are generally found in the heavily shaded forested areas.

Fly Fishing...

Oatka Creek can sometimes be a raging torrent after quick spring snow melts but during the normal summer months it is a beautiful place to walk in the creek and fish.

Green Umbrellas...

May-apple plants emerge from the ground in the early spring and are some of the first signs of life after winter. They eventually unfold into a beautiful umbrella-like leaf and can be seen in groupings all around Oatka Creek Park.

May Apple Flower...

Flower of the may-apple plant.

These plants emerge in early spring and produce beautiful dark green umbrella-like foliage. A single bloom forms, which produces a single fruit or may-apple, which gradually turns a pale yellow when ripe in August. The flesh of the plant is said to have a similar taste to paw-paw.

As with any plant, certain parts may be poisonous to humans. Always consult many sources prior to considering any tasting experiments and better yet, consult professionals with experience before foraging in the forrest.

Summer Flowers...

Blossom of the wild bergamot. These plants can be found all around the park and are said to be most likely found where soils contain abundant calcium. It turns out that gypsum is calcium sulfate dihydrate which was extensively mined here.

Wild bergamot was used by native Americans to cure "eruptions on the face", relieve headaches, and as a cure for abdominal pains. In combination with other plants it is said to have been used to relieve the symptoms of colds.

Bees, butterflies, and humming birds use the plant for nectar.

Oatka Creek in Summer...

Oatka Creek was originally named Allen's Creek after an early settler to this region.

This view is from the concrete bridge which crosses from north on the left to south to the right. The creek bed at this location is a solid slab of rock which makes it ideal for playing "get the stick" with canine companions. Many people have been seen here enjoying the cool water and playing in the creek with their animal buddies.

It is unfortunate that the amount of algae which tends to form here in nasty long strings is a result of runoff from unchecked agricultural businesses, lawn fertilizers, and other sources of nutrients which load the water and enhance algae growth.

Who Dunnit?...

There is overwhelming evidence that beavers live in Oatka Creek Park but unless one has night vision equipment he will not likely observe them in person. Over the years of walking along the creek banks the size of trees which beavers attack is beyond my original expectations of reason. These must be some amazing critters and perhaps some lucky day/night I may actually see one.

Daddy Smokin' his Pipe?...

This is a rare combination of a daddy long legs on an indian pipe plant. Is this another world? Well, it is actually one of the many interesting things to be found in Oatka Creek Park if one proceeds slowly and looks for the small items of interest.

Although jogging through the park or being dragged along by ones dog are popular activities here, they are likely to bypass the subjects which hide and require diligent inspection.

Reptiles...

This eastern garter snake was observed in Oatka Park about mid July one year. I have never seen any other kinds of snakes in this park but I would suspect there may be some other interesting reptiles in their company.

There have of course been the occasional guests to the park who speak with forked tongue but they are mostly only observed at political gatherings which generally occur at the one park lodge at the Union Street/Quaker Road entrance.

Daddy Long Legs...

Daddy long legs are always interesting to observe. They are fascinating and easy to photograph since they are inclined to stay put long enough to capture a good photo. This seems seldom to be the case with butterflies and some other flying insects which tend to be on the move as soon as one faintly considers taking a picture.

Big Fish...

Not being certain what this particular fish happens to be, it will be left to the interested viewer to deduce the prospects. Fishing in Oatka Creek is a major activity here and I have often noted the scent of a distant cigar or pipe as I wander along the creek and eventually spot a fisherman mid-creek rigging a new fly on his line or casting for the denizens of the deep.

White Tail Deer...

White tail deer can frequently be seen in the park and they seem to have a sense that this is a safe place to avoid hunters. I have frequently seen evidence that they cross the less traveled roads at the park boundaries like Stewart Road to raid the farmers' fields and then duck back into the park. Mother nature's thieves are constantly at work. It used to belong to them exclusively.

Spring...

Spring progresses... the dry plants and grasses from prior years will become masked by the new growth which emerges.

This brown meadow will shortly be a new greener scene and a place where many critters will find habitat and food.

Before the Jungle...

This is an area along Oatka Creek where navigation in the early spring is easy. About a month later, this will begin turning into a magic jungle of plants which one would never imagine prior their arrival.

The Fern...

Photography in Oatka Creek Park is something which can range from the barely visible items to be found in great abundance through the progressive capture of plants and animals as they grow and to the bigger scenery views on a large scale.

Each season offers new prospects for viewing as they change.

This fern may be an entirely new subject by the following day or will look more or less interesting when photographed under different lighting conditions throughout the day.

CDB?...DBSABZB!...OSND!!

The park contains a variety of communities or habitat types which support different plants and wildlife. The flower pictured here is along a "hedgerow" adjacent to an "old field".

Types of community or habitat type in Oatka Creek Park:

Developed

Hedgerow

Old field

Shrub upland

Old field/shrub upland

Deciduous forest

Wetland

Stream edge/stream

The undeveloped areas of this park in each community create attractive places for the particular critters which can only thrive on the vegetation which is available there. The bee in this photo is dependent on collecting pollen from flowers which need certain conditions to thrive in abundance. Mankind is capable of removing these communities and bears the responsibility to choose wisely the extent to which he significantly alters the environment.

Ganging up on the Fish...

Many of the most interesting trails along the creek are those resulting from the constant flux of fishermen moving along the banks and finding new ways to enter the creek. Oatka Creek is a great place for fly fishing and it is a rare event when one walks along the creek void of anglers.

Breath Mint...

Skunk cabbage is an early riser in the spring.

Many marshy places of Oatka Creek Park have this plant in abundance.

In Alaska, bears coming out of hibernation often feast on this plant since it is abundant and is more or less the "breath mint" of the hungry foraging omnivors.

Pesto Anyone?...

Garlic mustard blooms in early May. The new spring leaves of this plant can be used to make pesto. The plant is an invasive species and in some places will take over and completely cover an area inhibiting the growth of other native plants. When a leaf is rubbed between the fingers an obvious garlic smell will be noted.

Wood Anemone...

Wood Anemone begin to flower in late May in many places around the park. They are commonly seen along hedge rows, open trails, and places with some shade from the forest canopy. At a glance they are occasionally mistaken for Phlox of which certain varieties are similar in color.

Blue Bells...

A closer view of Virginia Blue Bells photographed 3 May 2009.

Carpet of Blue Bells...

The beginning of May produces a carpet of Virginia Blue Bells along certain sections of the creek flood plane. These areas are often under water as a result of rapid snow melt and emerge in a lush carpet of growth as the weather turns warmer when the waters recede.

It is an annual milepost for many winter-weary park users to inspect the Blue Bells and look for other emerging wild flowers which begin to appear.