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| The Nature Center at Shelby Bottoms in Nashville, TN. Unfortunately it was closed at this time, today. |
This natural area park in East Nashville
is a beautiful place to take some time away from your busy
is a beautiful place to take some time away from your busy
schedule and just slowly walk and observe the landscape.
"With approximately three miles of Cumberland River frontage,
Click here for information about Shelby Bottoms.
"With approximately three miles of Cumberland River frontage,
this area features bottomland hardwood forests, open fields, wetlands, and streams, providing excellent habitat for birds,
amphibians, deer and more.
The greenway offers over 5 miles of paved ADA accessible trail
for hiking, biking, running, skating and wildlife watching
and over 5 miles of primitive trails for more passive activities
of walking, running and exploring nature."
Click here for information about Shelby Bottoms.
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| Click to enlarge. |
Click here to get a better view of the map.
We had a couple of hours to spare so we decided to explore
the south side of the Shelby Bottoms Greenway along
the river and near the Observation Deck.
We began our walk at the Nature Center
and headed east along the greenway.
Refer to the map (above) at any time.
The Nature Center is at the bottom of the map.
If you decide to come here be sure to bring your binoculars
and a field guide. There are many bird species here.
and a field guide. There are many bird species here.
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| The view (railroad bridge) in front of the Nature Center. |
This is where Kai saw a strange bird called a Woodcock.
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| This is the first bridge you cross once you leave the Nature Center heading east toward the River Overlook. |
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| The main trail of the Shelby Bottoms Greenway heading east. The Cumberland River is to the right. |
Shelby Bottoms;
Walking at the river's edge --
The heron hunting.
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| This is the River Overlook, just after you pass the Ecology Trail. Refer to the map at any time. |
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| The River Overlook. |
Soon after we left the River Overlook we turned left and
headed toward the Observation Deck. (see map)
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| The bridge next to the Froggy Bottoms Trail. |
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| The Observation Deck is just ahead. Can you find the Red-shouldered Hawk? Click the photo to enlarge it. |
Froggy Bottoms;
The red-shouldered hawk perched --
A loud "kee-aah."
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| Photo of this Red-shouldered Hawk taken from the Cornell site. |
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| You can see the Observation Deck in the background. We saw many Yellow-rumped Warblers here. |
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| Photo taken from the Cornell site, below. |
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| Kai spotted a Swamp Sparrow. This area is sparrow heaven. There is a pond off the Ecology Trail in the background. |
Ahead was the Observation Deck, a place where you can
take a break and just enjoy the surroundings.
There are many birds species that love The Bottoms.
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| The Observation Deck. Saw many birds, mostly sparrows, from this neat structure. |
View from the Observation Deck.
We stayed at the Deck for quite awhile listening to
and observing birds. Then we headed south to the
Froggy Bottoms Trail.
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| After the bridge we turned left onto this Froggy Bottoms Trail. We immediately heard/saw many White-throated Sparrows and spotted some Towhees. |
White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow Info
Click here to hear and watch a short video
of a white-throat, probably my favorite birdsong!!
This trail lead us to the main trail of the Greenway,
which we walked on until we reached the River Cane Trail.
We walked down to the river and backtracked.
On this trail we saw some Cedar Waxwings.
I wish we could've continued longer,
but I had to leave, so we headed back to the car.
If you're a birder this is the #1 spot in the Nashville area.
If you're a birder this is the #1 spot in the Nashville area.
Most people just walk the trails, enjoying the landscape.
Some people jog, others ride their bikes.
It's great at this time of the year to walk along the river.
So, get out and Explore
your natural surroundings!!
