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| Radnor Lake in the south part of Nashville, TN |
This was a perfect day to walk and observe birds,
and Radnor Lake is the perfect place to do it.
and Radnor Lake is the perfect place to do it.
We started on the Spillway Trail, then took the Lake Trail to the road. We then turned right and got on the South Lake Trail.
We then got back on the road and headed back to the car.
We began our walk at the Visitors' Center
on the west side of the lake.
(There's another parking lot on the east side.)
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| The trailhead of the Spillway Trail. |
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| This and the next photo are of the Spillway Trail. |
At this spot we saw the two kinds of kinglets,
the golden-crowned and the ruby-crowned!!
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| Info on the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet. |
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| Info on the Golden-crowned Kinglet Both photos were taken from the Cornell websites. |
A slow winter hike;
So many bird songs at
This sanctuary.
At the end of the Spillway Trail we turned right and walked to
the house to observe the many species of birds.
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| We turned right here to observe birds. Later, we took the Lake Trail, which is in the background of this photo. |
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| There were hundreds of birds in the area around this house. Hang out here for a while and enjoy the birds and scenery. |
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| Click here for information about this Caretakers' House |
A view of Radnor Lake.
We saw many Yellow-rumped Warblers.
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| Photo taken from the Cornell Site, below. Click here to get Information and to hear a Yellow-rumped Warbler. |
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| Kai hears a Golden-crowned Kinglet. |
A bird flits from
Branch to branch - nonstop;
Golden-crowned Kinglet.
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| So beautiful in front of the Caretakers' House! |
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| We walked back to the trail and got on the Lake Trail heading toward Ganier Ridge, going around the lake, clockwise. (I just realized that many people will not know what clockwise means, since we rarely use analog clocks, today.) |
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| These gorgeous trees are in front of the house. |
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| The beautiful Lake Trail. Many White Oak trees can be found on this trail. Click here for info on White Oaks |
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| Mistletoe could be seen in many of the trees. |
Even though mistletoe is a plant, it is considered a parasite on the trees on which they grow. Their tissues grow into the tree, the host, and take nutrients from it...the definition of parasitism, a kind of symbiosis, by the way.
Mistletoe can now
Be seen in the leafless tree;
Winter parasites.
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| Mallards on the north side of the lake. They are very common in this area. |
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| Walk slowly and every now and then just stop and observe everything around you...plants, animals, and fungi. The colors will amaze you, and there are many different bird species singing around you. The color of the leaves are stunning. |
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| Some of the last Snakeroot flowers of the year. Click here for Info |
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| Saw about 5 White-tailed Deer, so far. Here's a huge buck walking behind a doe. Click here for Info |
White-tailed deer;
Browsing the leaves on this
Cool winter day.
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| Some Shelf Fungi decomposing this downed tree. Shelf Fungi Website |
One tree was filled with Black Vultures!
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| Photo taken from the Cornell website, below. Info about Black Vultures |
One distinctive trait of the black vulture is the white coloring at the ends of their wings. With turkey vultures the white coloring extends all the way to the body.
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| A deciduous forest like this has many Hickory trees. Click here for info on Shagbark Hickories |
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| We turned right to continue on the Lake Trail. One day we'll take the Ganier Ridge Trail. |
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| The hill on the left is the base of the Ganier ridge. The lake is to the right, barely in the photo. |
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| Lots of Sugar Maples grow in this area. I think they are ideal for your front or backyard landscape. Click here for info on Sugar Maples |
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| We continued straight, toward the road. The trail to the left goes to the east-side parking lot. |
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| Turn right to get to the South Lake Trail. |
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| This little pond is on the left side of the road. |
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| Some Red-earred Sliders. Fact Sheet |
We also spotted Gadwalls in this pond.
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| Photo taken from the Cornell website, below. Info about Gadwalls |
Turtles and gadwalls
Absorbing the warmth of the
Winter sunlight.
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| Just off the road is the trailhead to the South Lake Trail. (see map) |
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| View of Radnor Lake from the South Lake Trail. Kai saw another Kinglet, here. |
When we looked at the lake we saw over
a hundred Ring-necked Ducks swimming together.
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| Photo taken from the Cornell site, below. Info about Ring-necked Ducks |
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| The trail on the left goes up a long hill to the top of the ridge. We stayed on the South Lake Trail. |
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| There are many Ash trees at Radnor Lake. Click here for info on Ash Trees |
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| A great view from the South Lake Trail. |
Take a look at this video of this spot!
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| This South Lake Trail is extremely beautiful. Click here for info on American Beech trees |
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| I looked up and saw this!! Wow! So stunning!! I absolutely love it here! |
Early winter trees;
Looking up and seeing such
colorful giants.
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| The South Lake Trail ends, ahead. |
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| Turned left at the road. |
Saw a Red-tailed Hawk flying overhead.
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| Photo taken from the Cornell Site, below. Information about the Red-tailed Hawk |
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| I love this view of Radnor Lake...looking east. |
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| We continued straight to the Visitors' Center, which is at the bottom of this hill. |
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| Lots of people, today, walking among the trees and birds... and this was a weekday. |
Radnor Lake is one of the best walks in
the Nashville area. It's supposed to be one of the
best places for birding. You can try the Ganier Ridge Trail
and the South Cove Trail, next time, if you want a longer walk.
If you're ever in the southern part of Nashville try to stop
here. Enjoy a relaxing nature walk in early winter.
Hope you can get out and explore
Hope you can get out and explore
your natural surroundings!!
