IBWOH: Chris Carlisle.
Summary: I made a solo trip back to the Hutson Lake sector of the northern Pascagoula Wildlife Management Area (WMA), walking through the bottomlands along Hollow Man Road. I also retrieved the game camera my brother Brian had set up in the swamp near the old Elephant Man cypress; lastly, I explored the forest along the far edge of the WMA, on the opposite side of the slough from the titan cypress we call Lord God Tree.
I started out about a half hour after sunrise. The woods were mostly still and muggy, with temperatures topping out in the low 70's (Fahrenheit) under an overcast sky. Mosquitoes were out in force. Woodpecker activity was high; I observed multiple individual flickers, red-headed woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, and especially pileateds, whose laughter and absurd clucking kept the forest lively all morning.
Not far from Hollow Man, I passed a young man still hunting by one of the elongated fields maintained by the WMA personnel, putting me on edge; I wore no orange. After retrieving the game camera, I headed northeast, passing through a narrow, heavily wooded strip between Lord God Tree's slough and private property. I had high hopes for this place, since it encompasses three forest types in a relatively small area: cypress-tupelo swamp forest, bottomland hardwoods, and mixed pine-hardwood upland forest. The latter included mature pines, beech, magnolia, and dogwood. The bottomland hardwood and swamp forest was much younger, however, and dense undergrowth and rising waters made the going difficult in places. Eventually, after a couple of hundred yards, I came out upon a high hill thick with briars and young pines, the legacy of recent logging, and knew I was on private property and had come too far. My return hike was much quicker, and I passed the young hunter on the trail, now accompanied by an older gentleman I assumed was his grandfather. We exchanged pleasantries as we headed in opposite directions; but I am not used to encountering strangers in those woods, and continued on my way feeling a bit unsettled.
Summary: I made a solo trip back to the Hutson Lake sector of the northern Pascagoula Wildlife Management Area (WMA), walking through the bottomlands along Hollow Man Road. I also retrieved the game camera my brother Brian had set up in the swamp near the old Elephant Man cypress; lastly, I explored the forest along the far edge of the WMA, on the opposite side of the slough from the titan cypress we call Lord God Tree.
I started out about a half hour after sunrise. The woods were mostly still and muggy, with temperatures topping out in the low 70's (Fahrenheit) under an overcast sky. Mosquitoes were out in force. Woodpecker activity was high; I observed multiple individual flickers, red-headed woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, and especially pileateds, whose laughter and absurd clucking kept the forest lively all morning.
Not far from Hollow Man, I passed a young man still hunting by one of the elongated fields maintained by the WMA personnel, putting me on edge; I wore no orange. After retrieving the game camera, I headed northeast, passing through a narrow, heavily wooded strip between Lord God Tree's slough and private property. I had high hopes for this place, since it encompasses three forest types in a relatively small area: cypress-tupelo swamp forest, bottomland hardwoods, and mixed pine-hardwood upland forest. The latter included mature pines, beech, magnolia, and dogwood. The bottomland hardwood and swamp forest was much younger, however, and dense undergrowth and rising waters made the going difficult in places. Eventually, after a couple of hundred yards, I came out upon a high hill thick with briars and young pines, the legacy of recent logging, and knew I was on private property and had come too far. My return hike was much quicker, and I passed the young hunter on the trail, now accompanied by an older gentleman I assumed was his grandfather. We exchanged pleasantries as we headed in opposite directions; but I am not used to encountering strangers in those woods, and continued on my way feeling a bit unsettled.
The first field one encounters going south on Hollow Man Road. Behind the line of trees lies the northern part of a slough complex that empties into an eddy south of Hollow Man's lake, which in turn feeds into the Pascagoula River. I always pause at this field and scan the tree line, hoping to see a flash of black and white wings.
Mast: in this case, acorns of the swamp chestnut oak.
Typical view along Hollow Man Road.
View from within the bottomland hardwood forest near Elephant Man Slough.
Very heavy bark stripping on a baldcypress in Elephant Man Slough. I have seen and documented several instances of this particular kind of bark stripping, and have yet to find a definitive explanation. I am almost 100% certain this is not woodpecker work, as I can find no marks upon the sapwood that would indicate bill strikes. If squirrels are responsible, I would like to know what end: do they use the strips of bark for nesting material?
Cypress-tupelo swamp forest near Lord God Tree, thick with young cypresses.
Lord God Tree himself, as seen from the east. He seems a shy colossus, difficult to photograph.
I came upon several places in the area of the three forest types that had been ravaged by hogs.
This cannot be good for the forest.
The slough just below the first field, as photographed on my return hike.
Conclusions: I heard no kents or double-knocks, and saw no large birds I could not identify. I will have to wear orange in the woods for the next several months. The game camera results are inconclusive, so we will set it up again in Elephant Man Slough upon the cavities in question, and leave it for a longer time. I expect to make only one more search effort during the month of November.
The days are turning colder here in the Deep South, and the waters are rising. Each season brings new challenges, new opportunities to learn, and new revelations.
I'm thankful to be here.
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