April 18-19, 2018 Clear Spring Campground, Mississippi

80 degrees and sunny.

The bus at Clear Spring campground. We practically have the loop to ourselves and are over looking the lake. I first thought this sign said the Bu!! hole, so took the photo and it is the Bullet Hole  indoor shooting range, they need to repaint their sign. . ., huge timbers going by. Lumber is a big industry in the south. Black bears and alligators at the campground.

Purple self heal flowers, horrible thistle-that is the real name,  big leafed tree, these are kind of like poison ivy, much bigger, not sure if they are, but not touching to find out. Historic picnic shelter built by the CCC in 1935.   

We hiked around the lake 1.6 miles. It is very, very lush and green here. 

 A group of young European men sunbathing at the gazebo by the lake. Blue skies, tall pines and lots of hardwood trees by the lake.   

Tiny white flowers, when you look close the petals are hairy and they are trumpet shaped, back lit leaves over head and a cool looking leaf.  Virginia creeper is the same color and the leaves are the same size as the poison ivy (on the tree to the right in our campsite), they are both together, really have to watch out. It will be a miracle if we get out of the east with out me getting poison ivy-I am REALLY allergic to it. Some kind of seed pod that looks like a prize ribbon. 

It is pitch black here at night and a loud cacophony of frogs is all we can here. Absolutely beautiful.  

70 and sunny so we hiked one of the trails from camp-3.8 miles round trip. John on the trail. A small stream we crossed.

 Tulip tree bloom and leaves. The  Audubon guide says that the leaves are saddle shaped and the flowers have an orange splotch. Botanical terms. . . This tree that looks like a banana tree is actually a big leafed magnolia. The leaves are 25 inches long and it flower will be 11 inches in diameter. The spider looks pretty at home on this shaped leaf. Lizard, self heal, Indian pink, and a butter cup. 

Horrible thistle, Red flower, green flower and  blue eyed grass. Sunset over Clear Spring lake in the campground.  A young couple with 4 very young children moved in next door.  A little bit of kid noise, but they are ok, and no bright light on for the whole night. Very nice family.