baldylox Posted April 15, 2018 Ha ha, it sounds terrible but it's actually quite cool! We went to the Francis Beidler Swamp and Audubon Center for our last doll meet and had a pretty good time. The weather was good, the bugs were barely there and we got to see some wildlife and get some good photos. Here's what happened.... The Learning Center has all sorts of cool interactive displays where you can see and learn about things that live in the swamp. This table had lots of goodies to check out and handle. DSC_1309 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr They had many live snakes too, none of which were poisonous. This is an Eastern rat snake. DSC_1312 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Ed's Smartdoll checks out another snake. DSC_1315 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Outside the center is a landing point where people meet before walking the boardwalk trail thru the swamp. I borught Akira out for this since she hadn't been out to any meets yet. DSC_1317 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr SQUIRREL! DSC_1321 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Some type of fly landed near us that looked very much like a bee. But it wasn't, the head and body shapes weren't even close. DSC_1323 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1324 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Akira wants to go already! Enough with the photos! DSC_1326 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr As you can see, these raised boardwalks keep you out of the swamp so you don't get wet or dirty and you don't have an effect on the areas. Most of the swamp is left alone to let it grow naturally. So you see lots of broken trees here left after storms and such. DSC_1327 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Wild photographers spotted! XD DSC_1328 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr There were signs like this all along the trail to let you know facts about the swamp and its inhabitants. DSC_1329 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Back to the trail! DSC_1330 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1331 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr This marker showed where the water level had been during our Historic Rains a few years back. That was about 12 feet above the average level of the swamp. DSC_1332 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Akira was a good sport all day and let me get pics of her whenever I asked. DSC_1333 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1335 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Gene's girl was checking something out over the side.... DSC_1336 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Ohh, she was looking at some flowers! DSC_1338 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Woodpecker holes in a dead tree. DSC_1340 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr As we all know, no DD can resist climbing trees! DSC_1341 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Ed's Dani came along for the trip. She was the first Smartdoll I'd ever seen with two different colored eyes. He built her that way in the Mirai Store last year when we visited Japan together. DSC_1342 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr She's wearing some Danny Choo clothing, I like the yukata styled top. DSC_1343 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Akira doing some posing for me. DSC_1344 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1345 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1347 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Look, proof that natives still live here! Ok, not really. This hollowed out tree was a project that locals made to show how the people who used to inhabit this area made canoes out of trees. DSC_1349 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1351 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr We finally see water in the swamp after about 15 minutes of walking. Depending on rain levels, the amount of water in the swamp varies. DSC_1350 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr This is mainly a cypress swamp so you see a lot of cypress trees and knees. DSC_1353 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr There were several areas to sit down and rest along the 2 mile trail. DSC_1354 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Akira checking out the water. DSC_1355 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1358 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1359 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr We had some other girls there too. Here's Mishka! DSC_1360 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr She was looking mighty cool. DSC_1364 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1365 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr "What'cha lookin' at fool?" DSC_1366 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr "Papa! Something is out there!" DSC_1361 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr What do you see? "I don't know but it was big and hairy!" Maybe it was a Bigfoot. "That's not funny! That's scary!" DSC_1363 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr That is a LOT of cypress knees! DSC_1367 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1368 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1370 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr The Meeting Tree. DSC_1371 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr "It's so big!" DSC_1373 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr "Is it time for cookies yet? I'm hungry." DSC_1375 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Yeah we can do that. "Yay! I'll take 2 of the peanut butter cookies and a milk please." DSC_1376 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr We got to see lots of birds, this is a heron. DSC_1378 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Akira waiting for us to get back to the trail. DSC_1381 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Mishka - "You there, gimmie yer lunch money." Akira - "I don't have any money, Papa takes care of that stuff as well as food." Mishka - "Well poo, that's no fun." DSC_1384 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr This snake was sunning himself on a big log. DSC_1385 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1386 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Cypress knees come in all shapes and sizes. DSC_1389 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1390 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1391 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1394 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Tupelo trees. DSC_1397 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr I keep mentioning the knees but what are they? Here's some help on that: DSC_1399 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr An anole lizard is warming himself up on the boardwalk. DSC_1403 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Akira hits the trees to escape the lizard. "I did not!" DSC_1404 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1415 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1417 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1418 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr We didn't see all of these but they're out there..... waiting.... to eat you. DSC_1407 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr More random pics. DSC_1410 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1411 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Time for a break! DSC_1420 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1421 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1424 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Another heron is hunting way back in the center of this pic. DSC_1427 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr You are here. DSC_1429 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr At the end of the trail is a 2 story observation post set on a lake. This is a view of the boardwalk leading up to it from the top floor. DSC_1433 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Turtle! DSC_1434 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1435 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1437 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1438 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1440 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1443 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1444 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr "Time to go Papa!" DSC_1449 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1459 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Don't put your hand in there! "But there might be hidden treasure!" OR A SNAKE! DSC_1464 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Heading back to the center now. The path splits off and rejoins the main one around the big meeting tree. DSC_1466 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr This is the largest and oldest cypress tree in the swamp. DSC_1469 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1470 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1471 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Akira says that "woojees" live in these tree holes. LOL For those not in the know, a "woojee" is a small forest spirit known to play pranks on people and they aren't much fun to mess with. DSC_1473 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr This tree used to be upright and had a hole in the bottom big enough to crouch down inside. But sadly the tree broke in a storm and had to be cut. It still has a small area where you can see where the interior used to be. DSC_1475 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1476 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr DSC_1479 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Now there are TWO snakes warming themselves up! DSC_1480 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr And a skink! DSC_1481 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr Back at the meeting tree, we gathered all the dolls that showed up for a group photo. DSC_1483 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr And the last photo was at the main sign going in. DSC_1486 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr It was a really fun meet and I hope we do it again soon! Billy I gave up counting the girls I own, they keep multiplying and won't stop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kinkachou Posted April 15, 2018 (in before someone makes a shrek joke ) Wow, these pics are awesome-- makes me envious of how clear the weather is where you are. Flakes are falling from the sky in MA as I'm sitting here. This definitely makes me want to hit the trails with one or two of my girls once things warm up a bit. I don't think I've ever seen cypress trees, nor cypress knees before. They are so weird looking! Almost like stalagmites. Akira seems to have really enjoyed herself It's helpful to have someone who know nature accompany you on your first venture out into the woods; you're a great guide. She needs to be careful walking under those broken/leaning stumps though-- we call those "widowmakers" here and further north I really enjoyed looking at these; thanks for sharing!! Black lives matter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheWhiteRabbit Posted April 16, 2018 Looks like a great day! I love all the snaky snakes! Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/WhiteRabbit887 Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whiterabbitdolls?igsh=czQyZzRweG9hZDM2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K-2 Posted April 16, 2018 Great location! Great pictures! Great meet-up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monty Posted April 16, 2018 Definitely a unique place for a meet! I really enjoy walking through places like that. But every time I saw a doll standing on the edge of the boardwalk above all that mud without a stand I couldn’t help worrying D: *twitter*instagram*art* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baldylox Posted April 16, 2018 Wow, these pics are awesome-- makes me envious of how clear the weather is where you are. Flakes are falling from the sky in MA as I'm sitting here. This definitely makes me want to hit the trails with one or two of my girls once things warm up a bit. Thank you very much! We've had our fair share of silly winter weather here this year but luckily things worked out nicely for us that day. That sounds like a great plan for you and your girls! I hope you can work that out and we get some pics from it! I don't think I've ever seen cypress trees, nor cypress knees before. They are so weird looking! Almost like stalagmites. They're very common here, especially in wet areas. No one really knows the exact function of the knees but they seem to work well for support and rooting. Akira seems to have really enjoyed herself It's helpful to have someone who know nature accompany you on your first venture out into the woods; you're a great guide. She needs to be careful walking under those broken/leaning stumps though-- we call those "widowmakers" here and further north She did! And thanks, I used to be in Boy Scouts and really enjoy the outdoors. I've also been to this swamp many times and it's always a little different so that's another reason I enjoy going back. I really enjoyed looking at these; thanks for sharing!! Thanks again! I'm very glad you liked the pics. Looks like a great day! I love all the snaky snakes! It was indeed! While I have no issues with snakes, it seems a lot of people do. But as long as you don't mess with them, they don't generally mess with you. The ones we saw were way too busy keeping themselves warm to even bother looking at us. Great location! Great pictures! Great meet-up! Thank you sir! Definitely a unique place for a meet! I really enjoy walking through places like that. But every time I saw a doll standing on the edge of the boardwalk above all that mud without a stand I couldn’t help worrying D: Unique is right. I'm just happy everyone that showed up had fun out there. I also love going down trails and such with my girls. I know what you mean about possibly losing a girl in the swamp but we got lucky and the only mishaps were when a pair of bunny ears went missing ( never did find them ) and a Volks shoe fell into the water. But Gene climbed over the railing and went all George of the Jungle to snatch it up quite easily! Had he not gone after it I would have.... there's no way I'd sacrifice a Volks shoe to the swamp! LOL Billy I gave up counting the girls I own, they keep multiplying and won't stop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EblKtty Posted April 21, 2018 I am so glad you both were willing to go after it. XD I would have been singing songs of woe for the next month. The irony of the whole situation is that it fell in as I was trying to put it into the bag to prevent anything from falling in the swamp. It was a nice meet.♡ At home: Too many.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
