- Joined
- Apr 25, 2007
- Messages
- 3,458
Weather was nice (at least it started off pretty nice) today so I went for a hike along the Missouri River at Ponca State Park, one of my favorite haunts for a relaxing, flat walk.
When I left at noon it was 43F, sunny, and a 10-15mph breeze. Pretty nice weather. By the time I got back at 5:00PM the wind was well into the 20-25mph range and the temp read 26F. Welcome to Nebraska.
Anyway on to some pics. Found quite a few interesting things on this hike. Always seem to be plenty of neat things in this spot, tons of wildlife and a few interesting geographical things from time to time.
First thing I found was this, a lip where snow was melting on top of an overhang in the river sand.
Upon closer examination sand stalagmites were forming under the overhang. Neat little guys.
A ways further up (close to a mile) you will come to some backwaters areas. The river is very, very low right now so large portions of them are dry. This is the upper end of one of the backwater fingers. Groundwater flows through the sand, collects iron in the ground, and it forms a scum on the bottom of the channels. When the water goes down, you get a stunning red color on the ground from the iron.
Beaver lodge eh
More pretty colors from iron.
Eventually made my way to the sandbars, which are huge from the river being so low. Spent a ton of time on the sandbars.
The sand was particularly interesting today. With all the melting, thawing, and refreezing that has been happening over the past few weeks the sand has developed all manner of amazing patterns.
TO BE CONTINUED hold onto yer hats
When I left at noon it was 43F, sunny, and a 10-15mph breeze. Pretty nice weather. By the time I got back at 5:00PM the wind was well into the 20-25mph range and the temp read 26F. Welcome to Nebraska.
Anyway on to some pics. Found quite a few interesting things on this hike. Always seem to be plenty of neat things in this spot, tons of wildlife and a few interesting geographical things from time to time.
First thing I found was this, a lip where snow was melting on top of an overhang in the river sand.
Upon closer examination sand stalagmites were forming under the overhang. Neat little guys.
A ways further up (close to a mile) you will come to some backwaters areas. The river is very, very low right now so large portions of them are dry. This is the upper end of one of the backwater fingers. Groundwater flows through the sand, collects iron in the ground, and it forms a scum on the bottom of the channels. When the water goes down, you get a stunning red color on the ground from the iron.
Beaver lodge eh
More pretty colors from iron.
Eventually made my way to the sandbars, which are huge from the river being so low. Spent a ton of time on the sandbars.
The sand was particularly interesting today. With all the melting, thawing, and refreezing that has been happening over the past few weeks the sand has developed all manner of amazing patterns.
TO BE CONTINUED hold onto yer hats
