Shelby Bottoms Greenway

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 

schedule and just slowly walk and observe the landscape.  

"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.

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.

The view (railroad bridge) in front of the Nature Center.  

This is where Kai saw a strange bird called a Woodcock. 

Photo taken from the Cornell site.
Click here for a Video of a Woodcock

This is the first bridge you cross once you leave 
the Nature Center heading east toward the River Overlook.

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.

This is the River Overlook, just after you pass the Ecology Trail.
Refer to the map at any time. 

The River Overlook. 

Soon after we left the River Overlook we turned left and

headed toward the Observation Deck.  (see map)

The bridge next to the Froggy Bottoms Trail.

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."

Photo of this Red-shouldered Hawk taken from the Cornell site.

Click here for Hawk info

You can see the Observation Deck in the background. 

We saw many Yellow-rumped Warblers here. 

Photo taken from the Cornell site, below.

Warbler Info

Kai spotted a Swamp Sparrow.  This area is sparrow heaven.
There is a pond off the Ecology Trail in the background.  

Photo taken from the Cornell site, below.
Swamp Sparrow Info

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.

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. 

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

Photo taken from the Cornell site, below.
White-throated Sparrow Info

Click here to hear and watch a short video 

of a white-throat, probably my favorite birdsong!!

Eastern Towhee

Photo taken from the Cornell site, below.
Towhee Info

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.

Waxwing Info

Photo taken from the Cornell site, above photo.

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.

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!!

Radnor Lake in Early Winter

Radnor Lake in the south part of Nashville, TN

Click here for park information.

Map of park trails

This was a perfect day to walk and observe birds,
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.)

The trailhead of the Spillway Trail.

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!!

Info on the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet.

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. 

We turned right here to observe birds.  Later, we took the
Lake Trail, which is in the background of this photo. 

There were hundreds of birds in the area around this house. 
Hang out here for a while and enjoy the birds and scenery.

Click here for information about this Caretakers' House

A view of Radnor Lake.  

We saw many Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Photo taken from the Cornell Site, below.
Click here to get Information and
to hear a Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Kai hears a Golden-crowned Kinglet. 

A bird flits from 

Branch to branch - nonstop;

Golden-crowned Kinglet.

So beautiful in front of the Caretakers' House!

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.)

These gorgeous trees are in front of the house. 

The beautiful Lake Trail. 
Many White Oak trees can be found on this trail.
Click here for info on White Oaks

Mistletoe could be seen in many of the trees. 

Click here for info on Mistletoe

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.

Mallards on the north side of the lake. 
They are very common in this area.

Click here for Info about Mallards

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.

Some of the last Snakeroot
flowers of the year. 
Click here for Info

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.

Some Shelf Fungi decomposing this downed tree.
Shelf Fungi Website 

One tree was filled with Black Vultures!

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.

A deciduous forest like this has many Hickory trees.
Click here for info on Shagbark Hickories

We turned right to continue on the Lake Trail.
One day we'll take the Ganier Ridge Trail.

The hill on the left is the base of the Ganier ridge.
The lake is to the right, barely in the photo. 

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

We continued straight, toward the road.
The trail to the left goes to the east-side parking lot.

Turn right to get to the South Lake Trail. 

This little pond is on the left side of the road. 

Some Red-earred Sliders.
Fact Sheet 

We also spotted Gadwalls in this pond.

Photo taken from the Cornell website, below.
Info about Gadwalls

Turtles and gadwalls

Absorbing the warmth of the

Winter sunlight.

Just off the road is the trailhead to
the South Lake Trail.  (see map)

Map of park trails

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.

Photo taken from the Cornell site, below.
Info about Ring-necked Ducks

The trail on the left goes up a long hill to the top of the ridge.
We stayed on the South Lake Trail. 

There are many Ash trees at Radnor Lake.
Click here for info on Ash Trees

A great view from the South Lake Trail. 

Take a look at this video of this spot!

This South Lake Trail is extremely beautiful. 
Click here for info on American Beech trees

I looked up and saw this!!  Wow! 
So stunning!!  I absolutely love it here!

Early winter trees; 

Looking up and seeing such

colorful giants.

The South Lake Trail ends, ahead.

Turned left at the road. 

Saw a Red-tailed Hawk flying overhead.

Photo taken from the Cornell Site, below.
Information about the Red-tailed Hawk

I love this view of Radnor Lake...looking east. 

We continued straight to the Visitors' Center, which is
at the bottom of this hill.

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 

your natural surroundings!!

 Radnor Lake is beautiful in the Spring!