By Joyce Kramer

What a thrill to be invited to come along with a group of friends or family for a day out on the boat. Perhaps it will be a fishing experience. Maybe a ride on the rivers. Whatever the activity, it will be fun.

However, you may not be familiar with what type of vessel you will be going on. Maybe it is a family boat used by everyone and has many skippers. Or, sometimes, you and some others decide to rent a boat for fun on the water. However, after you have said yes and accepted the invitation, you realize that you haven’t a clue as to what is on board when it comes to safety and creature comfort items.

The answer to this dilemma can be easily solved by carrying a supply of your favorite items in an easy to carry duffle bag. Nowadays there are so many duffle bags and back packs to choose from you are bound to find one that takes your eye. These duffle bags vary from camouflage to shocking pink. They are surprisingly roomy and can carry many necessary items for comfort and survival. When you are ready to go, all you have to do is grab it and your life jacket. Now you are ready for a day of fun on the water.

As for what items to pack and how much of each, just think about what things would provide you with comfort in several situations. For example, take into consideration that you could get stranded and need enough of everything for overnight or an extra day. Also, someone on the boat may not be prepared for anything and you might want to share.

One can never tell about the unexpected. like being caught in a sudden storm. Boats have been known to run out of gas. Batteries do get old and die. Perhaps those who own the boat don’t check the mechanics of the boat often enough. Also, some people just never think that anything could happen to them until it does and then its too late.

It is also known that storage space is at a premium on modern boats. Spare equipment and life jackets should be on board. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

If you figure that the all important life jacket is missing, you can just bet that the items which provide creature comforts for sure are completely forgotten.

While deciding what to pack, ask yourself what would keep you comfortable if you were exposed for a prolonged period of time to sun, and wind, or maybe rain or cold temperatures. Such personal care items like sun screen, and a hat come to mind first. Also sun glasses, which make the brilliant glare easy on your eyes. This would help you to avoid headaches and burning eyes.

A supply of wipes and insect repellent are also items which provide comfort, especially when it comes to getting rid of those nasty bugs.

First aid kits are easy to find and are inexpensive. Most contain everything from a manual to aspirins and bandages. However, you do need to include personal health items. Bring along your prescriptions and other medicines that you may need. Make sure you take enough for an extra day, just in case.

Food and water are necessary items. Having water on board is an essential on a hot, sunny day. You can place several bottles of water in a collapsible cooler in the duffle bag itself. Or, if it is not possible to keep the water cold, remember all it has to be is wet.

For a diabetic person, certain foods are essential to their health and enjoyment of the day. Crackers, cookies, granola bars as well as small cans of fruits and soups can provide nourishment for a long day. Many canned items have pull tops now but it would be safer to bring along a can opener.

The weather is fickle. It is something that we can’t control, but we can make the best of it by having just a couple of simple items in our pack. Having such foul weather gear as a vinyl coat and hat sure comes in handy in the comfort department. Modern gear is made of sturdy but very light weight vinyl and folds up into a neat package that hardly takes up room at all.

Extra clothing like a sweater, cap and gloves can keep you warm during an unexpected weather change. If you become stranded overnight, they can help keep you comfy and warm. Also, beach towels can double as a blanket for extra warmth. If it is a warm night, these items make great pillows.

Other items that are easily carried are compasses, charts, and binoculars. A hand-held VHF radio can also help keep you updated as to the weather and you can also call for help from the emergency channel.

Sometimes during a storm the lake will get very rough and waves will be splashing water into your boat. Also, we all know that there are under water obstacles on Lake Seminole and her rivers. You can hit something and crack the hull causing a leak.

You may have to improvise something to bail with, like a can or a food storage item. If you place your food items in a storage canister, you can use it to bail out in an emergency. These things might not be as large as a full size pail but it will work in a pinch.

Mechanical emergencies can be frightening when you don’t have any tools, or spare parts. Sometimes it is best to carry spark plugs and sheer pins.

Tools are necessary to repair something that will get your boat underway. Marine stores carry compact and light weight tool kits with pliers, a Phillips and slotted screw driver, wrenches and other items.

You can never tell when you will need to attract another boater to come help in an emergency. A whistle is something that always seems to attract attention. Also, a bright colored shirt or sweater waved in the air is an excellent visual signaling device.

Lastly, tell some of your neighbors and friends that you will be going out on the water. Let them know when you will leave, where you expect to be and with whom. Try to give as close an estimate as you can as to when you will be home. You never know when you may need someone to look for you.

Joyce is a crewman and officer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 83 – Lake Seminole. She can be reached at kramers229@aol.com.

Submitted photos

1 Samples of duffle bags.

Photos by Dale Kramer

1 and 2 You can never tell what type of boat you will be asked out on.

3 Everyone has fun when boaters gather

4 Boats come in all sizes. One never knows what type of cruise you will have.

by Joyce Kramer

While waiting for a shot at their prey, the modern hunter can not help but think about what it was like back in the days of wooden guns and iron men.

The fact is, there were a lot of superstitious practices that are used by the modern hunter to ensure a good day’s catch. Just like the baseball player who pitches a no-hitter and then refuses to shave — believing that his hairy condition contributed to his good fortune — the hunter also has his sure fire ways to bag his prey.

Let us get acquainted with some of the more common things that were used by Indians and early Georgia settlers. Who knows, maybe one will work for you!

Here are some that are specifically for the duck hunter. One tells us that for success while duck hunting, lie down, then get up, then lie down again three times in the direction in which you hear the ducks quacking.

Another is for you to hang onions around in your duck blind. It will keep you from getting bruised by the recoil of your gun.

Some early Georgians thought that wearing a piece of raw cotton, on a string tied with nine knots, around your neck would improve your aim.

If your hunting partner becomes upset by his lack of success, place a pan of cold water on his seat without him knowing about it. Then, when he sits down, he will be calm. Let us hope so, because there are not too many places to run in a duck blind.

To make you unstoppable when it comes to hitting your target, take a piece of your undershorts and bury it at midnight in your yard. Finish by putting a brick over them. Now, hope that your neighbors didn’t see you.

If your buddy is a better hunter than you are, get some red dirt and sprinkle it around the door of his house, and he will not be able to hit a thing after that. Another solution is to find another buddy, one that is not as good a hunter as you are.

Make a wish while watching a duck in flight. If he flaps his wings, the wish will come true and he will be in your boat.

To ensure good luck while on your boat, don’t step over anyone, don’t bring an ax with you, don’t step over a gun and don’t turn over your camp chair. All of these make sense, especially the ax thing. Axes have been known to make holes in boats and can be lethal in the hands of enraged hunters. In either case, the consequences leave a lot to be desired.

Of all of the duck hunting success suggestions, this one may be the most practical. If a flock of ducks fly over your head, you will get a messy message.

Another bit of sage advice comes from those who interpret dreams for a successful hunting day. This one tells us that if you dream of catching a train, you will fall overboard. I guess this means that you better not daydream while you are waiting for the ducks to come.

Some hunters put more faith in good luck charms than actual actions. The rabbit’s foot and four-leaf clover are popular talismans and are fine for everyday life, but when hunting you will need something with extra mojo. Here are some good luck pieces for your hunting day.

Bring along a fork from the breakfast table that was used on a Sunday morning. Shoe strings made of corn shocks should be placed in your shoes. A rabbit’s foot carried in the right hand pocket will bring a good hunting day, as will throwing a pocket full of money on to the boat before you get on. Also, it is good luck to wear socks of different colors. This should be accompanied by wearing a garment inside out.

Try to have a spider web brush across your face. You can also carry the dried breast bone of a frog for good luck.

Sometimes, comfort is foremost on the duck hunt. It can be too hot or too cold. It can be buggy and crampy being out on a boat tucked in the weeds for long periods of time. So, to keep yourself comfortable while out on the water, smear your hair with soft butter and tea. This will keep the bugs away.

If you pick pine needles and bruise them, then cook them into a broth and drink, you will be busy shooting ducks — or some other activity could be keeping you busy.

If by some chance you slip and bruise your ribs, rub them with a chicken gizzard.

Well, we have armed you with some very helpful hints and some very useful charms for your success in hunting So gather everything up and get going. Those ducks are out there waiting.

Joyce is an officer, and Dale a coxswain in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. They can be reached at kramers229@aol.com.

By Justin Schuver

The Silver Lake Management Wildlife Management Area is one of the more pristine, naturally beautiful parts of Decatur County, and Greg Flood is determined to help keep it that way.

Flood was hired earlier this year, to serve as the first full-time manager of the 9,828-acre property, which is currently maintained by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The property, which is a part of the larger 16,900-acre Lake Seminole Wildlife Management Area, had been previously managed by the International Paper Company.

At that time, it was a playground of sorts for company officials and their guests to hunt or fish. International Paper sold the property to the state in 2008, with the DNR specifically planning to use it to manage wildlife and habitat preservation.

Recreational activities offered at the public site include hunting, fishing, birdwatching and hiking, with some restrictions. The property is also significant because of the number of threatened or endangered species that have habitats there, including the red-cockaded woodpecker, Bachman’s sparrow and gopher tortoises.

Flood, who is originally from Pennsylvania, said one of the main projects under way at the Silver Lake WMA is an initiative to foster growth in the bobwhite quail population.

“There are not a lot of state-owned properties where you can hunt quail in Georgia,” Flood said. “We believe that this area can be well suited to hosting that population, and boosting the quail will also help the hunting for deer, turkeys and doves because they have similar habitats.”

Part of the management plan is to create open fields to serve as nesting and brooding cover for quail, as well as additional land for feed plots and dove fields.

The Silver Lake WMA has 12 boat ramps and 32 seasonal ponds for fishing, as well as the massive Silver Lake. However, the vast majority of management deals with the forest. One of the most important ways the forest’s growth is managed, is through controlled burns.

“Fire is always one of the most important ways that a forest remains healthy,” Flood said.

Flood earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from California University of Pennsylvania, and has experience working with pine management and surveying threatened and endangered species in Michigan. Although Flood admits he sometimes “misses the snow,” he is getting used to life in the South.

“This is a beautiful part of the country, and I’m excited to do what I can to help keep it beautiful,” he said.

The Silver Lake WMA is effectively divided by a dam that traverses over Silver Lake. One side, the “Silver Lake tract,” is more cleared out and developed, while the Hog Farm tract is more thickly overgrown. Flood said the future focus will primarily be on the Hog Farm tract, which will serve as the site for much of the planned bobwhite quail habitat.

Other changes on the way include improvement and widening of the roads, and lengthening of some of the horse and hiking trails.

Silver Lake WMA is located approximately 10 miles south of Bainbridge, off Yates Spring Road south of Spring Creek Road. For more information, call (229) 430-4254 or visit online at www.georgiawildlife.com.

By Drew Hall

An adult deer calmly grazes along the forest floor beneath a secluded grove of trees miles from the nearest human dwelling. All is calm in her world with no real natural predators, since she’s much too large for a coyotes to take now as an adult. Her only worry is the occasional man or domestic dog that might give her a scare.

But these are her woods, and neither a dog nor a man is a match for her natural ability to smell danger and her incredible camouflage coat which blends so perfectly with her surroundings. What she doesn’t know is a new, exotic predator has entered her habitat, and she won’t hear or smell it as it approaches.

A Burmese python is silently slithering up behind her, and seconds later the 80-pound doe is being gradually suffocated by the constricting body of a 17-foot-long super predator. This might seem like footage of African jungles on the National Geographic channel, but the scenario just described actually took place in the Everglades National Park (E.N.P.), in south Florida.

There is now an established population of Burmese pythons in a 2,000 to 3,000 square mile area below Miami, Fla., that could reach the tens of thousands, and maybe even more. The Burmese python, a sub-species to the Indian python, is native to Asia and one of the six largest snakes in the world. Adult individuals of this species in their natural habitat average about 12 feet in length, but can grow up to 19 feet. Burmese pythons were originally imported to the United States to be sold as exotic pets.

An established, or breeding population, was first recognized in the 2000s. Herpetologist and snake expert Dr. John Wilson, from the University of Arkansas, says all of the media linking the snake explosion to Hurricane Andrew in the 90s is probably not sound.

“The press says Hurricane Andrew might have destroyed an exotic pet breeding facility that may have released a bunch of snakes,” Wilson said. “The data we have found is that probably wasn’t the source of it. The timing doesn’t seem to match up particularly well. The real core population is way down in a very remote area of the Everglades, about 40 miles from the nearest heavily populated area.

It seems pretty implausible, that a pet breeding facility in Miami could’ve cause this.”

“Surely, large snakes in the wild aren’t commonplace?” you might say. Unfortunately, that question remains relatively unanswered. Wilson said the most important task at hand for python researchers is how to calculate an estimated population, so they can then find out how to properly control the problem.

“We have removed between 1,800 to 1,900 pythons in the last five years,” Wilson said. “But we don’t know if that is a large number of the population or not. Most of those are from the E.N.P. itself. It [the population] is certainly in the thousands, and could be tens or hundred of thousands.

“Given that so much of that area is completely inaccessible — except by airboat or plane — we know there are snakes there, but don’t know how many.”

Wilson described the E.N.P. as primarily a huge freshwater marsh with the southern portion having some mangrove portions with a little saltwater intrusion. He said the pythons were doing particularly well in the mangrove habitat and seem to have a very high tolerance of salt water.

There are several contributing factors to the Burmese python’s success as an invasive species in Florida. The most obvious reason for the growing population of pythons is that juvenile Burmese pythons average about 22 inches in length as a hatchling. Wilson said these juvenile pythons are as large or larger than most native adult snakes in the E.N.P.

“A 22-inch snake doesn’t have many natural predators besides the alligator and is certainly capable of killing small mammals and birds soon after hatching,” Wilson said.

Burmese pythons have another advantage that most native snakes don’t have, as well. The average clutch size of a female python is 12 to 36 eggs. In one remarkable case, a 17.5-foot Burmese python caught in the E.N.P. this year had an astounding 87 eggs inside of her at the time of her capture.

But, unlike native snakes, female pythons guard their eggs until hatching, giving python hatchlings yet another advantage over native snakes. There’s a pretty slim chance a raccoon or opossum is going to eat the eggs with an adult python laying on top of the nest.

Wilson said an adult python really only has one predator in Florida, and that is the American alligator.

“We have records of alligators eating pythons,” he said. “We’ve even found skeletons where it seemed that a python and alligators died wrestling each other. But, a really big python would be a big meal for even a big gator.”

So, what does a population of thousands of pythons eat in the wild? The answer is, “Almost every mammal they encounter.”

These Burmese pythons are such prolific predators; they have all but wiped out all mammal populations in areas where pythons are present. In a study that was released earlier this year, Wilson described the findings as bleak for native mammals.

“We used [night] road surveys and looked for raccoons, opossums, rabbits and deer,” he said. “We compared records over time and also from previous road surveys and we saw evidence that the mammals have virtually disappeared in areas inhabited by pythons. In the mid-sized mammals — raccoons, foxes, bobcats, opossums — we saw anywhere from an 85-percent to 100-pecent reduction.

“With marsh rabbits, which used to be extremely common, there hasn’t been a single sighting in five years.”

In addition to the direct effect on mammal populations due to snakes eating small- to mid-sized mammals and birds, Wilson said there are also the indirect effects of the snakes eating mammals that other native mammals prey on to survive. He said this was particularly threatening in areas of the E.N.P., which are also home to the endangered Florida panthers.

“Based on the other species we’ve seen pythons eat, we think they could pose a direct threat to panthers as well,” he said. “We’ve recorded them eating bobcats in Florida, and in native range they can eat leopards. We caught one last December that was 15 feet in length and had a 80-pound white-tailed deer in its stomach. There’s no reason to think pythons aren’t capable of preying on panthers.”

While the efforts to remove individual pythons from the Everglades continue, Wilson said the recent Florida python hunting season really had no effect on the population.

“There is a lot of research going on now as starting to find out how we could control them,” he said. “It’s a long way off, if not altogether impossible. The biggest problem is that we know they are quite common, but they are very secretive. There are some areas searched for a daily basis, and we haven’t been able to wipe them out.

“They just hide too well. We are still figuring out the best ways to catch them. We’re even working with detector dogs right now to improve our ability to find them.”

I know what you’re thinking now. All this talk about big snakes in Florida, but the Everglades are a long way from south Georgia and north Florida. “How does this affect me?” Can, a Burmese python even survive here. Well, the answer is, “Probably.”

Wilson described Burmese pythons as generalists in terms of their habitat preferences.

“In Asia, the Burmese python lives in all different types of habitats,” he said. “They are found from Thailand and tropical areas, all the way up through southern China, where it is wet, but relatively cool, and India where it is dry. They are also found in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains, where it is not only dry, but also cool. So, they are found in a wide variety of habitats. Though they started in the Everglades in Florida, they are now found in a large variety of habitats, including heavily populated areas.”

Wilson said there’s no way to know for sure, but based on their wide range of habitat climates in their native home of Asia, it is likely that the Burmese python would also be able to survive in south Georgia. It could thrive especially in places with little human disturbance like the Okefenokee Swamp.

Senior Wildlife Biologist John Jensen of the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division said that while there are established species of invasive reptiles in Georgia, the Burmese python has yet to make the list.

“We get reports of some documented exotic snakes, but all we’ve ever been able to find are individuals,” Jensen said. “These are most commonly escaped or released pets and it is very unlikely that they would find a male or female to reproduce with outside of captivity.”

He said the established species were the brahminy blind snake, which is about 4 inches in length and lives underground, and several species of geckos, which are common in the exotic pet trade.

If this established population of pythons were to move north at a rapid rate, are we South Georgians and North Floridians at danger of being attacked by a Burmese python outside our home? Probably not. Wilson said, like alligators, pythons usually avoid contact with humans altogether.

“Pythons in captivity have escaped and killed people, but so far there has not been a confirmed python attack on a person in the Everglades,” he said. “I tend to think they are similar to alligators. Under most circumstances, they are not hunting people.”

For more information on Dr. Wilson’s research on invasive Burmese pythons and other reptiles, check out his Web page at comp.uark.edu/~jwillson/index.html.

By Justin Schuver

Hunters who travel out into the south Georgia woods know that they’re very likely to encounter poisonous snakes, especially in the fall months. However, outdoorsmen have a number of prevention methods at their disposal — including snake boots and snake chaps.

Banks Miller, the manager of Southern Trading Company in Bainbridge, said that each method has its pros and cons.

“The boots are good to use because they are thick and fend off most snake bites,” he said. “The downside to using boots is that you have to buy a separate pair of snakeboots for hunting, and another pair just for walking in the woods.”

Miller explained that one problem with boots is that they can get very sweaty. However, some of the newer boots have sweat-absorbent materials inside them.

In addition, boots can often leave a scent that can scare away potential game. Miller said some of the newer variety of boots have a special rubber that can prevent such a scent from being left behind in the woods.

“Those boots are pretty popular among our customers,” he said, noting that an average pair of snake-protectant boots will cost upwards of $125. He estimated that a good pair of boots will last about two years before they need to be replaced.

“I’d say that your average hunter will get a few years of use out of a pair of boots before they need to be replaced,” he said. “Just walking through the briers in the South will shred the laces and pull off the material, and they’ll also get moist and that will wear down the material.”

Miller said some boots are better than others at preventing all snake bites. Even when wearing boots, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye pealed on the ground and ears open for any evidence of snake activity.

Hunters who don’t like the feel of boots can opt to instead wear chaps, which are long leggings that cover a pair of pants and provide an extra layer of protection. Miller said most chaps are around $75, and can serve a variety of uses.

“A lot of the hunters around here like chaps because they also double as brier-pants,” he said. “If you’re in this part of the country, you’re going to walk through some briers, and the chaps have a material that they stick to so they don’t puncture the skin.”

Miller said some drawbacks to the chaps are that they can limit movement and can become heavy when moist. He said most chaps last a few years before they need to be replaced.

Of course, many hunters opt to wear both snake boots and snake chaps, in order to have maximum protection. Others wear one of the two, but have the other in their truck or jeep, just in case.

Miller also recommended that all hunters go out into the woods with a way of contacting someone, if they are bitten by a dangerous snake.

“Keep your phone on you at all times,” he said. “It’s almost crazy to not go into the woods today without a phone. They can be used as a camera, or as a GPS, or obviously call someone in case of an emergency. Just be sure to set it on silent so you don’t scare the game away.”

So, which way is better, chaps or boots? Miller said it depends on the hunter’s personal preference.

“Just try on a pair of each and see which one you like the best,” he said.

By Joy Carey

If you enjoy walking for exercise and are bored with your neighborhood walks, try one of the numerous trails in Bainbridge and the surrounding area.

One of the most popular is the City of Bainbridge Nature Trail, which starts at the Earle May Boat Basin. It is a 3.4-mile paved trail. There is also a shorter loop that is 2.6 miles. It can be used by walkers, runners or non-motorized vehicles such as bicycles. The trail was made possible in part by the Kirbo Charitable Trust.

The trail goes through a mostly wooded area. On numerous occasions, I have had the pleasure of watching deer scamper through the woods. The city has received partial government funding to extend the trail down Hatcher Road to Cheney Griffin Park. This is expected to begin in July 2012.

Another local trail is located within Seminole State Park. The Gopher Tortoise trail is 2.2 miles long. If you are camping or picnicking in the park, it is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy nature. The trail is wide, mostly flat and easy to walk.

A portion of the trail is along a wetland boardwalk. The habitat is predominantly a sandhill habitat, with an open canopy of longleaf pine, turkey oak, sand post oak and groundcover dominated by wiregrass. Gopher tortoises and their burrows are numerous along this trail. Visitors may also see alligators, osprey, bald eagles and other wildlife.

Seminole State Park encompasses 604 acres and is located on Lake Seminole, a 37,500-acre reservoir. It provides boating, fishing, hunting and birding opportunities. Within the park are 14 cottages, 50 campsites, a group shelter that seats 75, five picnic shelters, mini-golf, three fishing docks, canoe rentals and a sand beach.

The recently acquired Silver Lake Wildlife Management Area contains 3,900 acres of mature longleaf habitat, hardwood hammocks and loblolly pines. Some of the longleaf stands date back to the early 1900s. There are numerous red-cockaded woodpecker families here as well as quail, turkey and whitetail deer. Other wildlife you may encounter are the Florida pine snake, gopher tortoises and eastern indigo snakes.

There are numerous roads and trails on this tract; however, the trails are not marked. You will need to pick up a map and also a calendar of the hunting seasons if you plan to hike. A map of the WMA can be found at: www.gofishgeorgia.com.

There are also numerous wetland ponds on the property, as well as the 350-acre Silver Lake. Here you may see osprey, bald eagles, wading birds and waterfowl. I had the pleasure of hiking some of these trails with the Florida Native Plant Society.

Another great hiking area, just south of Bainbridge, in Chatahoochee, Fla., is the Angus Gholson Nature Park, named for Chatahoochee’s world renowned botanist. Gholson has spent his life exploring the rugged ravines of the Apalachicola River in search of unusual plants. He has received national and statewide recognition by the Nature Conservancy, the Florida Native Plant Society and Tall Timbers Research Station.

Angus Gholson Nature Park is a short hike and leads you through various terrains. The trail begins at Chattahoochee Spring, where residents used to swim in a pool that was created from the overflow from the spring. This pool is no longer in use.

The park has some deep ravines leading down to the Apalachicola River. Starting in February, you will find trout lilies and trillium. While walking the trail in April, I saw many red Indian Pink flowers lining the trail. Other flowers you may see are the fringed campion in early spring, bloodroot in February and March, Florida violet in March, Florida flame azalea in March and April and rain lily in December and January.

The park has a number of young Torreya trees. Torreya trees were subject to a blight, so there are not very many mature trees in Florida. Other trees that form a beautiful canopy on the trail are yellow poplar, sycamore, hickory and Southern magnolia. Farther along, the trail flattens out with spruce pines overhead.

There are three marked trails: the Muscogee Trail is 1.2 miles, the Angus Gholson Trail is 0.5 miles and the Fitness Trail is 0.9 miles. The trails are considered moderately difficult. There are a number of wooden bridges and benches along the trail where you can stop and enjoy all the nature around you.

From U.S. Highway 90 in downtown Chattahoochee, take Morgan Avenue south. It goes down a steep hill and makes a long curve. Park Street is to your right along the curve, with a sign for the nature park. At the parking area are restrooms and picnic tables that are under a covered pavilion. There are no fees to use the park.

If you enjoy peaceful nature walks, be sure to visit Birdsong Nature Center, between Thomasville and Tallahassee, Fla., on Meridian Road. At Birdsong, there are 565 acres of wildflower meadow, pine and hardwood forest, as well as ponds and swamps.

There are 12 miles of trails on the property for birding and walking. A series of 40 bluebird boxes attract more than 100 bluebirds every year. Volunteers monitor their activity from March through August. There are also purple martin houses, where you can view the courting and nesting activities from January through July.

Along one of the trails is a screened pavilion called the Listening Place, where you can sit and overlook the Big Bay Swamp and its inhabitants such as alligators, turtles, snakes, frogs, anhingas and wood ducks. I had the pleasure of attending a yoga class at the Listening Place one cool morning last summer. What a place to relax!

After enjoying the birds and nature on the trails, stop by the Butterfly Garden to relax and enjoy the butterflies that arrive from April to November.

Ed and Betty Komarek purchased the plantation in 1938. The Komareks introduced the practice of prescribed burns and wildlife management to the land. The Birdsong Nature Center continues these practices, as well as wetland management. In 1986, Birdsong was incorporated as a nonprofit organization, to offer public educational opportunities in natural history and sciences.

Within the former Komarek home is a gift shop and a “bird window,” where you can sit in front of a large plate-glass window and experience some of the 130 species of birds that are attracted to the gardens and pools.

Birdsong provides many programs for the public, including school field trips, guided walks and teacher workshops. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The fee is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 4 to 12, and is free to members. There are various membership levels from $25 up to $1,000. There are also numerous volunteer opportunities. The website is www.birdsongnaturecenter.org and the phone number is 1-800-953-2473.

Photos by Joy Carey

By Justin Schuver

Most modern mothers are likely familiar with the sentence, “Turn off that computer and go play outside!” Well, thanks to geocaching, now they can also say, “Turn ON that computer and go play outside!”

Geocaching is still a relatively new hobby, and was first developed in May 2000. In simple terms, geocaching is played like a game of high-tech “hide and seek.” A special object, or “cache,” is hidden somewhere and the hider notes the GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates of that hiding place.

The hider then gives the seeker those coordinates, and the seeker can then plug them into a GPS device — typically either a standalone device similar to an electronic compass, or a smart phone with GPS software. Using those coordinates, the seeker will eventually find the hidden cache.

This simple hobby has blossomed into a multi-million-dollar industry. There are official geocaching websites, official geocaching gear, and even an official “Geowoodstock” festival that draws thousands of visitors each year. The improvement of GPS technology, especially in smart phones and tablet computers, has also allowed the number of geocachers to skyrocket.

Richard Dykes, of Bainbridge, is a fan of the hobby. He has been playing since June 9, 2005, when his brother first told him about geocaching.

“My brother was telling me about this cool new game,” he said. “I have always liked computers, so I wanted to try it out. I got an Explorers GPS Unit for my birthday that year, and I’ve been hooked every since.”

Dykes not only enjoyed the seeking aspect of geocaching, but he also got into the hiding aspect. For example, he once hid a large box near a bridge behind Oak City Cemetery — that cache has since been removed. He has traveled as far away as North Carolina, just specifically to go geocaching.

“It’s a neat sport because it takes you to some regions of the country that are hidden gems,” he said. “Anytime I’m visiting some place new, I always check online to see if there are any caches hidden there.”

Of course, any popular sport eventually has to develop rules, and there is one main rule of geocaching — permission, permission, permission. It is important for any hider to seek permission of the land owner, or public management agency, before placing a geocache in an area. The reason is obvious; anyone who seeks a geocache is forced to look meticulously through grass or inside trees, and such activity would otherwise be considered suspicious.

“It’s one of those things where it’s all about respect,” Dykes said. “The entire game is based on the honor system and respect.”

In fact, the game has grown so large that most novice hiders are discouraged from simply randomly hiding caches. Now, they are first asked to register online (the main website is geocaching.com, and is operated by a private company, Groundspeak). Then, administrators make sure that permission has been sought, and verify that the caches are actually located in an accessible place, before making the coordinates “live” to share with seekers.

Early on, many public parks and public lands were wary of geocaching, but they eventually realized the boon is has for tourism, Dykes said. Now, just about every state or national park has geocaches hidden on site, and often runs contests developed around those geocaches.

“It’s a great way to get people outside that might not normally go outside and enjoy nature,” he said.

The hobby has also evolved over the years, to develop its own jargon and “unwritten rules.” For example, there are three different primary sizes of geocaches — a “micro” is typically the size of a film canister and is only large enough to hold a “log book,” which is a small written account of people who found the cache and when they found it. A “small” is around the size of a Tupperware container, and may not only contain a log book, but also small items that people leave behind when they re-hide a cache — such as Happy Meal toys or necklace charms. A “large” may be as big as an ammo box, or even larger. Dykes said he has heard of one cache that was an entire old car someone had hidden in the woods.

However, even those three varieties have since evolved. Now there are also “nano” size, which is only the size of a postage stamp and has just enough room for seekers to mark their initials. A recent development is the “virtual” cache, which isn’t actually a physical object, but instead just a location that has to be sought. For example, the hider may post a photo of a particular view of a waterfall or rock formation, and it is up to the seeker to then find that spot and take a photo of himself in front of it.

Cache seekers have their own honor system and rules. For example, Dykes said that seekers should always “trade up” if they take something from a cache — if there is a toy that you like, you should leave one in its place that is as good, or better, than the one that was taken. Also, the cache should be re-hidden in as close to the original location as it was originally discovered.

Dykes noted that the game continues to develop and evolve every day. A “geocache trail” is a special game where the hider will hide a small geocache in one location, and when that cache is found it will contain the coordinates to the next location, then that cache will have coordinates for another location, and so on. Eventually, the trail will end at a larger geocache, or perhaps a picturesque “virtual cache.”

“Travel bugs” are special objects that are left in geocaches. These objects have numbers that can be logged on to an Internet site, and allow the travel bug owner to see where his bug is currently “hidden.” The owner can even request that his bug end up in a particular location, and see the various “stops” it has made on the way to that ultimate location.

However, Dykes said that his favorite caches are those that are large enough to include full “journals.” With these caches, not only can the seekers write their names (or anonymous “handles,” similar to a name used on an instant messenging services), but they can also draw a picture, write a poem, or do whatever comes to mind.

“There’s something very calming about discovering a neat cache and then taking the time to sit down and just write in the journal for a while,” he said. “It’s also neat to see what over people wrote and thought, when they found the same exact spot that you did.”

There are tons of geocaching websites and forums online, and also some nearby clubs. Dykes is a member of the Tallahassee Area Geocachers (www.tagfla.com), and said they are an excellent group. The official website of Geocaching is geocaching.com, where anyone can quickly do a ZIP code search to see what caches are in their area. Premium members pay a small fee and are then entitled to more complex searches and activities.

Dykes said one of the great aspects of geocaching is that it lends itself to a group excursion, whether with friends or family members. And when you have an activity that’s social, outdoors, and uses the brain, that’s just about all you need.

Happy seeking!

By Justin Schuver

While Kevin Dowdy, of Bainbridge, Ga., enjoys a good turkey hunt or deer hunt as much as the next south Georgian, he’s just as excited to hunt much smaller trophies.

Dowdy is the president of Flint Media, which includes the radio stations 101.9 FM, 106.3 FM and 99.3 FM. He’s also an avid collector and trader of Native American artifacts, which range from arrowheads to larger objects like spearheads and a unique ornately-decorated “sun disk.”

“I found my first arrowhead when I was a young boy,” Dowdy said. “Even if you didn’t have a lot of luck hunting or fishing, you could find a few arrowheads and it would still be a good day.”

Dowdy said he began to get more involved in the hobby in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when he made friendships with other collectors and began to attend shows around the Southeast.

“It was really just a matter of meeting one friend who’s got the same interest, and then another friend, and then discovering that there’s a whole large following,” he said. “I attended my first artifact show in 1988 or 1989, and I’ve been enjoying them ever since.”

In fact, Dowdy is an organizer of an upcoming show in Bainbridge, that he said will be the largest the area has ever hosted. The 2012 Bainbridge Deep South Super Show will be held at the Kirbo Center on the campus of Bainbridge College, which will be held May 12, in conjunction with the area’s large “River Town Days” Festival. He said that all exhibitors’ tables are currently sold out, but there is a waiting list available. Call Dowdy at (229) 416-6021 for more information.

Dowdy said he currently has 500 to 600 “pieces” in his personal collection of artifacts, but has had as many as 1,000 in the past. He has also written four books on the subject, including the only full-color “Indian Artifact Point and Identification Price Guide” in the country.

Some of the smaller arrowheads are arranged in an ornate pattern in a special display case; one of Dowdy’s larger designs contains 230 pieces and took four hours to arrange. Other larger pieces are featured in cases of their own, including a “gorget,” which was an adornment that was likely worn by the Adena culture (existed from 1,000 BC to 200 BC). Dowdy said it’s also likely the gorget was used for a turkey call.

Another large item in Dowdy’s collection is a sun disk, which is constructed from greenstone and features an ornate design that has been etched onto the surface. Dowdy noted that the disk has 13 notches, which could represent the 13 moons of the year, and suggests the disk may have been used as a calendar.

“That item was actually found on a construction site in Calhoun County, Ga.,” Dowdy said. “A bulldozer excavated it, and the workers thought it was a hubcap at first, then they looked at it a lot closer and realized it was an artifact.”

Dowdy said the design seems to suggest a “circle of life” motif, showing that humans thousands of years ago still had a spiritual understanding of their mortality.

“This is just an educated guess,” Dowdy said, before showing the different parts of the design. “But it seems to say ‘Great Spirit breathes life into man, his works are seen, when he dies he becomes bone, and he begins a new journey and returns to the sun.’ It really is a beautiful design.”

Dowdy said many artifacts are discovered deep under the ground when farmers or construction workers excavate the land, while others are found in rivers or streams. Most are found right in the ground, and can easily be missed by an untrained eye.

“It’s very rare that you’ll see the entire arrowhead the first time you notice it,” he said. “Usually you’ll only see a tip of the point, or part of an edge. You have to develop an eye for it. Sometimes you’ll only find a broken part of an artifact, but when you find an intact specimen it’s really an exciting thing.”

Dowdy said that some collectors have given the hobby a bad name, because they have ventured onto private land in search of the artifacts. He noted that collectors should always get the landowner’s permission before searching, and that most owners will say “yes” as long as they are asked. He also noted that it is currently illegal to remove artifacts from navigable waterways in Georgia, but it is legal to take them from non-navigable waterways like small streams.

“Don’t give the hobby a bad name,” he said. “It is absolutely legal to possess them, collect them, or find them, but you need to have permission first.”

Dowdy said he most enjoys searching for arrowheads because it is a “family-friendly” hobby that touches a variety of his interests — outdoor sports and history.

“It’s truly amazing to pick up a piece of history, a tool that hasn’t been touched by human hands for years,” he said. “When I was in school, I made straight A’s in every history class, so it’s always been a subject I’ve had a lot of interest. If it weren’t for collectors, a lot of this history would be lost forever.

“I actually think it’s paying respect to the people that were here before us, and passing on that history to the next generation.”

In fact, Dowdy said that he is always trying to interest young people in the hobby. He is a member of the Tri-State Archeological Society (TSAS), which offers the Broome-Haddock-Wingate Scholarship each year to a student who is interested in the hobby. In order to qualify for the scholarship, the student just has to have a family member join the society — a $20 membership fee or $5 junior membership fee.

In addition, Dowdy said it’s always fun to bring young children out and let them search for artifacts for the first time.

“It’s funny, because when they first start out, they’ll pick up every little rock they find and they’ll ask you, ‘is this one?’ ‘is this one?,’” he said. “But as they get more experience, they start to have a more trained eye and they’ll learn what to watch for. It’s always great to see their smiles when they find their very first arrowhead.

“It’s all about preserving history and giving that interest to the next generation.”

Dowdy will appear on American Pickers

Dowdy’s interest in Native American artifacts will be broadcast nationwide sometime in the spring, when he appears on an episode of “American Pickers” on the History Channel.

Dowdy said he was contacted by the show’s producers to come to northern Georgia and appraise a collection.

“They wanted to get my expert opinion and my appraisal on the items,” he said. “On Jan. 12, I drove up to just north of Atlanta and met everyone there. It was definitely a fun experience.”

Dowdy said that the producers had not yet confirmed an air date for his segment, but they had verified that it will be broadcast in either April or May.

By Joy Carey

We are fortunate, in Georgia, to have such diverse topographies, including the coastal beaches, inland lakes, rivers and forests. And just four hours north of Bainbridge are the beautiful Appalachian Mountains.

I had the pleasure of hiking with friends on a few of the trails in the Chatahoochee National Forest in October 2011, during the height of the fall foliage season. The first hike we took was a portion of the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT) is 2,170 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine.

It is the nation’s longest continuously marked footpath and was designed, constructed and marked in the 1920s and 1930s by volunteer hiking groups brought together by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). Hurricanes, highway construction and World War II interrupted these efforts until 1951 when all sections were open and marked for hikers. The National Park Service maintains a protective corridor along the AT and 3 to 4 million people use the trail every year.

The portion of the AT that we hiked was from Neels Gap to Tesnatee Gap, a total of 5.5 miles. At Neels Gap is Mountain Crossings in the Walasi-Yi Center, a full service outfitter, gift shop and small grocery store. It contains the only building that the AT goes through. There is also a hostel there available on a first-come first-served basis. This day hike is considered to be “moderate,” with some elevation changes and climbs up to 3,942 feet. After checking out the gift shop, we began our hike. The weather started out on the cool side; however, we knew it would get warm, so we dressed in layers. After climbing some rocky switchbacks, we came to a gorgeous view of Blood Mountain. From here, the trail took us through the Raven Cliffs Wilderness Area.

From Bull Gap, a rocky climb leads to Levelland Mountain, where we could see the Georgia piedmont. After fueling up on trail mix and fruit, we descended through mountain laurel and rhododendron and then back up to Wolf Laurel Top. At Cowrock Mountain, we had another great view of the fall foliage on Cowrock Ridge. We never tired of the views. Between the three of us, we took hundreds of photographs. After leaving the Raven Cliffs Wilderness area, we continued to our destination at Tesnatee Gap. We had left a vehicle here in the morning so we would not have to do a round trip.

Our evenings were spent at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega, Ga., run by Joshua and Leigh Saint. The hostel is actually a beautiful log cabin with three floors, three bunk rooms that accommodate four people and are $17 a person, or two private rooms that are $40 for the double. These fees include a delicious full breakfast. There is a small kitchen downstairs and laundry facilities. They also offer shuttle services to the various trailheads. Their website is www.hikerhostel.com.

We decided to have our dinners in the lovely town of Dahlonega, just about six miles south of the hostel. There are a lot of nice shops around the square and many restaurants to choose from. Dahlonega is where America’s first gold rush occurred in the early 1800s.

Our second day, we did a day hike in the Raven Cliffs Wilderness area, just south of the AT. This five-mile roundtrip hike is also considered moderate and goes alongside the Dodd Creek with numerous waterfalls. The waterfalls range from 12 to 25 to 50 feet. The most impressive, Raven Cliff Falls, is 50 feet and is at the end of the trail. It comes out of a huge vertical split in the cliff. From here you can climb up to the right side of the rock outcropping to the cliff top where there is another cascade. It is rather dangerous and we decided not to attempt it.

Our third day was spent doing some sightseeing in Nacoochee Village and Helen, Ga. Helen is a Bavarian-themed tourist town. River rafting and tubing are popular along the Chattahoochee River. In Nacoochee Village, there is a historic grist mill powered by the river, a coffee shop and antique shops. Some of the best trout fishing in north Georgia can be found in this area also.

Basil Lucas, a Bainbridge resident, has hiked all but the northernmost eight miles of the Georgia portion of the AT. Recently I asked Basil to share some of his experiences:

What was your first impression of hiking the AT? “My first impression was that these hills are steep and this pack is heavy.”

What is your favorite portion of the AT? “Blood Mountain is my favorite spot. From atop a field of stone, the view toward the south is grand. Some tremendous boulders are on the east side of the mountain. The rock cabin built by the CCC has weathered many a storm on top of Blood Mountain.”

I asked Basil what his least favorite portion of the trail was, and he could not think of one. From what I have experienced, it is a special place. Basil never ran into any wildlife, except for some grouse. He did, however, see lots of wildflowers like trillium and trout lilies.

Basil has also done some overnight backpacking on the trail. Here are some of his comments: “Backpacking can be tough work. The pack has to contain everything you need to survive. A walking cane is a tremendous help. My partner (Richard Stokes from Juneau, Alaska) and I endured a deluge one night that had water coming into our tent. Severe thunder and lightning much of the night was part of a tornadic weather system that, we found out later, killed some folks in Tennessee.”

Basil has never been lost on the trail. It is well marked with white blazes (2-to-6-inches vertical). Blue blazes mark side trails to shelters, views or water supplies. There are official Ridge Runners who work on the trail looking for hikers in trouble.

If you are interested in finding out more about this region, here are some resources:

Southern Appalachians:

Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians by Doris Grove. In addition to basic mileage, elevation and shelter information, this book gives plant, animal information and information about vistas and social history.

Waterfalls of the Southern Appalachians & Great Smoky Mountains by Brian A. Boyd.

The Best of the Appalachian Trail Day Hikes by Victoria Logue, Franks Logue and Leonard M. Adkins.

The following books are geared to thru-hiking the Appalachian Mountains; however, they have some good information on the Georgia portion of the trail:

The Appalachian Pages: A Handbook for Hiking the Appalachian Trail by David Miller and Rick Towle. This book has detailed information on elevations, mileages, water sources, landmarks and nearby transportation.

The Thru-Hiker’s Handbook by Dan “Wingfoot” Bruce. This is a wonderful field guide for the Appalachian Mountains.

Even if you are just planning a day hike, I would strongly suggest purchasing sectional maps of the area you are planning to hike. These are published by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and are waterproof and tear-resistant.

Some website resources are:

www.appalachiantrail.org; www.fs.fed.us; www.atconf.org.

General advice

Here is some general advice for hiking and backpacking the AT. Have a partner. Use a cane or walking stick. Basil feels that “sleeping in a lightweight tent is preferable to sleeping in the shelters (lean-tos), which are not that comfortable.”

Choosing comfortable hiking shoes that are waterproof, have non-slip soles, toe protection and firm ankle support is important. Gore-tex socks are also a worthwhile investment. When choosing clothing, layers are best. Prepare for wet and cold. Even in summer, the higher elevation weather can change quickly.

Waterproof fabrics are best, but an inexpensive poncho will do in an emergency. Avoid cotton. It is uncomfortable when wet. Synthetic fabric will keep you warm and let moisture wick away.

All water from streams must be treated. Be sure to drink enough to keep you hydrated. Dehydration causes fatigue. Eat high-energy carbohydrates like nuts, granola, dried fruit, chocolate chips and peanut butter, and fresh fruit like bananas.

Even when doing day hikes, be sure to bring a backpack with food, water and extra clothing, hat and sunscreen. Also, bring Band-aids and be prepared for cuts, burns, blisters, sprains or headaches. Do not leave any trash. Take out whatever you carry in.

The Backpacker Magazine is a great resource for information on outdoor equipment for day hikes, as well as overnight backpacking.

Whether you are planning on hiking, backpacking, paddling, fishing or just enjoying the views, you will not be disappointed with the north Georgia mountain region.

By Brennan Leathers

Mark Atwater, of Donalsonville, Ga., didn’t start out to be a professional photographer, he just started taking pictures of nature — 30 years later, his photos regularly grace the covers of outdoors magazines.

Atwater’s specialty is photos of hunting retreivers, the  rigorously trained dogs who chase after ducks, quail and other fowl.

Atwater, now 52, began taking pictures with a film camera while a graduate student in plant sciences at Purdue University. His professor encouraged him to take photos for use in class presentations. After completing his master’s degree, he took thousands of slides as part of field research for a chemical company that developed herbicides and pesticides.

In 1993, Atwater started his own business, Weed Control Unlimited, in which he uses “selected and specific” herbicides to control unwanted plants, mostly for the restoration of wildlife habitats. He started taking a 35-millimeter camera with him while he worked, and began taking up-close photos of wildflowers, insects and landscapes.

Atwater began using high-end digital cameras around 2004, which enabled him for the first time to accurately capture the motion of ducks in flight, the retreiver dogs and all of the details of nature.

“I’m a duck hunter, so I’ve always had retrievers, but I had never thought about taking photos professionally,” said Atwater, who credits his wife, Shannon, for noticing his enjoyment and skill related to taking pictures of hunting dogs. “I’ve always believed that you should just shoot pictures of what you see and what you like. I’m fortunate that my photos seem to have struck a chord with people in the outdoors and hunting world.”

Atwater’s photos are successful enough that he now splits his time between his weed-control business and taking photos. He is regularly commissioned to take photos of hunting dogs, at private kennels and as they compete at field trials.

“It’s an excitement and a thrill to do what I do,” said Atwater, who estimates he has taken hundreds of thousands of pictures in his career. “It’s almost like getting to hunt year round. I love when the dogs get out there chasing birds. They have this intensity and drive — they know what they were put on earth for and that’s what’s special to see.”

Mark has three retreivers himself, a yellow lab and two field-bred golden retrievers with darker, redder coats than a typical dog of their breed. A photo of one of them, Yeti, will be featured on the cover of an upcoming issue of Retreiver Journal magazine. Atwater has also taken cover photos for Gun Dog, Labs and Shooting Sportsman magazines, as well as publications produced by the Department of Natural Resources in the states of Lousiana, South Carolina and Illinois. He has had numerous images published in the widely-distributed Ducks Unlimited magazine, but hasn’t made the cover quite yet.

Ironically, a time of illness may have helped strengthen Atwater’s focus on what he does. Several years ago, he was stricken with the West Nile Virus and was largely bedridden.

“I could get up for a short time every day and I’d use what energy I had to go out in the yard and just take pictures of things like dragonflies or plants,” Atwater said. “I developed this heightened awareness of the things around me. I enjoy both the small and large aspects of natural life — whatever’s pretty and I can get close to.

“People often compliment me on my photos and I respond by reminding them that I didn’t make the stuff I take pictures of — God did. There is something perfect  about how everything in nature fits together. We don’t control nature, we are a part of it.”

Despite his success, Atwater is modest about what he does, and encourages aspiring photographers to hone their craft while enjoying themselves. He hosts beginners’ photography lessons in various settings and a more advanced nature photography workshop on a friend’s property in Seminole County.

“I immerse students in a beautiful location and my goal is to help them take their photos to the next level with the equipment they have,” he said. “I teach them how to control their camera to obtain predictable images, to capture exactly what they see with their eyes.”

Atwater’s website, where his portfolio is maintained and images are available for sale, is upclosephoto.com. His email is upclosephoto@windstream.net and his telephone number is (229) 524-6187.