As we pulled into the trailhead parking lot for the Woodlands Trail, I saw that there were several cars already parked.  We piled out and David, Jasvindee, Taylor, and I met Lori and Arlene.  Then Duc and Jeanne rolled in and we were eight.  It was cool (the temperature was in the low 40’s) and we shivered with the cold and the excitement of an Autumn hike in the woods.  The Woodlands Trail is in the Big Sandy Creek Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve.  After a few words about safety, fun, and the history of Big Thicket, we were off.

About ten minutes later I heard a familiar sound and pulled my cell phone from my pocket.  It was Sandra who was running late.  I told her where we were and then we started hiking again.  Within about 15 minutes, Sandra joined us, we were now nine.

Much of the Woodlands Trail goes through or is alongside the Big Sandy Creek Floodplain.  We crossed several bridges and saw the remains of Hurricane Harvey via the flattened vegetation and vegetation debris hanging in shrubs and trees.  There are many large trees in the floodplain including Water Oaks, American Elms, Overcup Oaks, American Sycamores, Cherrybark Oaks, and American Beech.

We viewed the water features of Big Sandy Creek including swales, sloughs, and old stream channels with Bald Cypress and Water Tupelo along their sides.  Some of the Water Tupelo were turning yellow and red, showing off their fall colors.  On the higher ground we saw Sugar and Red Maples, Red Mulberry, and Black Cherry trees.

We heard Pileated Woodpeckers cackling and American Crows calling in the distance.  As we approached the half-way mark and lunch time, Jeanne had to leave us to get home.  We stopped at a spot where we had partial sunlight and ate a hardy meal.  I ate my sandwich and apple and I gazed at the undergrowth six feet away.  I  then started and called out, “orchids!”  People were astonished and puzzled until I showed then them three ladies-tresses orchids hidden under some small trees and shrubs.

Then we began the hike back to the trailhead.  I set a brisk pace and periodically stopped so that people could catch-up and take a break.  As I came within sight of the trailhead I decided to walk to the pond we had passed and not stopped to see when we began our hike.  Lori followed me and we both agreed this was a very pretty scene.

We turned around and retraced our steps to the trail with the trailhead about 40 yards away when we saw David and Duc stopped and looking down on the trail.  As I approached David called to me to come see.  I walked up and there was a Rough Green-Snake lying on the trail.

I was surprised that this reptile (cold-blooded and in need of a warm environment today for regulation of its internal temperature) was out on such a cool day.  I reached down to pick-up the snake and found it was very cold and its movements were sluggish.  I took the snake where people were standing and talked about its perfect green camouflage for movement, hiding, and stalking in shrubs, grass, and trees.  As people took photos and I held the snake it began to warm-up and become more alert.  After people finished taking photos, I took the snake to some tall grass and shrubs and turned it loose so that it could go about its business.  What a beautiful creature!  What a beautiful Fall day, cool with the promise of Winter ahead!!  It is hard to go wrong when you walk in the Big Thicket on a cool day!!!

Brandt Mannchen, October 30, 2017