The other day I grabbed up my hiking gear and headed out to Tulsa’s Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness. I took my “grabbers” and a small grocery bag to gather trash. People are pretty good about picking up after themselves so I used to take a small garbage bag but I usually only find an item or two during my hikes.
I took a little side trail pretty soon after the trailhead to find a geocache.
And yep I found it. Another use of grabbers is to grab into places you can’t see so that mr snake doesn’t clamp down on my hand. That would ruin my whole day.
I didn’t see too many critters. A few squirrels maybe, no big critters. I took along my Merlin Bird ID app on the phone. It’s amazing. Turn it on audio mode and it identified:
Red-eyed vireo
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Northern Cardinal
I didn’t see a one of them!! I glimpsed small birds flitting around in the thick woods but I couldn’t vouch for any of them. One I did get a good look at looked like a small woodpecker with a redhead but it wasn’t making any sounds. I don’t know what it is though. It’s kind of frustrating but kind of fun as well. I think being able to spot and ID them will come with practice and patience.
I came upon a fallen tree on one of the small legacy trails. I took a photo of it with my Solocator app which puts the coordinates on the photos and posted it on Turkey Mountain’s facebook page and they had it cleared before I ended my hike. You gotta have the apps folks.
I got to Pepsi Lake and looked around.
I found a mess that somebody left, including a styrofoam cup and some fishing spinner bait packaging. Why can people not haul out what they haul in?
And a Pepsi can, at Pepsi Lake! All the trash fit into my shopping bag that I brought.
I kept heading north and heard some construction type noise. Excited that more trails might be under construction made me hurry to find the source.
It was pipeline construction going on. Ironically my former employer is having to relocate a line because of some highway construction and they cut a deal with my employer before that to lay in their right of way.
That’s not the way the energy industry typically was back in the old days. You had to have sharp elbows to survive. We didn’t spend too much time holding hands and singing Kumbaya with competitors let alone helping each other out. So maybe it is a kinder and gentler industry now?
So I followed the construction from a distance just to make sure that they are doing it right. I guess they are and I was getting tired so I headed back to the parking lot.
I am linking with Skywatch Friday and My Corner of the World.
Such an interesting hike.
That’s a nice hike and great that you clean up other peoples’ messes. Yes, is it so hard for people to carry out what they carry in? I had to look up how Pepsi Lake got its name although I think you mentioned it in one of your posts. Alana ramblinwitham
I’m glad you had a nice hike, and that you keep up with making the area safe and clean for others. People who don’t pick up after themselves are a headache, and we collect quite a bit of garbage along the front of our garden by the street; even broken beer bottles.
A ton of respect for leaving it cleaner than you found it! I love that app and use it all the time.
…that rocky start doesn’t look inviting!
Es un genial lugar para pasear. Te mando un beso.
That was an interesting hike.
The bird identifier app, that’s a cool one.
Interesting post. It’s a shame that people are careless with their trash.
Birds are always bette to hear than to see… so cool with the app (I haven’t smartphone).
earlier, as I still could strolling artaound, I was a scrap collector to.
Have a great weekend
Great hike! It is wonderful you are out there picking up the litter!
Pretty capture of the dragonfly and I love the flowers.
Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend!
Great post.
Nice hike! Hope it wasn’t too hot. We haven’t been hiking much (when in TN) because it’s been so hot. I need to get that Merlin Bird app, to identify birds in my FL backyard!
About those beaches – you will love the horses at Assateague and the dunes and wildlife on Cape Cod. You can get in for free If you have the America the Beautiful pass ($80). You can also camp in both parks. You can find wild horses in Shackleford Banks (NC) and Cumberland Island, Ga
https://mvmaithai.blogspot.com/2013/10/favorite-cruising-destination.html
Wonderful post and images! Pepsi on Pepsi Lake: hilarious!
I enjoyed the photos from your walk. Applauding for you picking up the trash. Wishing you and the family a great weekend!
Hubby and I hope to get home in this weekend.
That’s great hike, Glad to see you piking up the litter.
Loved the post, Greetings
Nice blue! #Skywatch
Genial paseo, lastima que t e toco limpiar ese destre . Te mando un beso.
wonderful hike and photos ~ and a geocache ~ fun ~
Glad to see your comments on my blog ~ thanks,
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days ~
carol l mckenna
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
admiring you for picking up the trash and also that there isn’t much to pick up. I was walking today through Brussels city center – disgusted is to mild word.