Myre-Big Island State Park

Many people head north during the hot summer months. We sometimes go south. A park like Myre-Big Island, a few miles east of Albert Lea, near the Iowa border, is virtually empty on a Sunday afternoon, and those who do visit tend to head for the "big island" where the picnic grounds are located.

That section of the park seems a little dark and dank to me, though on our recent visit we followed the Burr Oak trail for a mile or two in that direction. We prefer the upland areas near the White Fox Campground. 

There are hiking trails of moderate length throughout the park, my favorites being the Pelican Trail and the Bobolink Trail. The park is hilly and the trails meander back and forth between woods and fields. The birding isn't great at this time of year,  because the foliage is dense, the birds have quieted down, and most of them now lack their breeding coloration. I had put in mind three species that I wanted to see: a meadowlark, a dickcissel, and a shrike, none of which we've seen this year.

No such luck. On the other hand, we did see an olive-sided flycatcher, a Franklin gull, a blue-headed vireo, and a red-shouldered hawk—all new for the year. And we also came upon a mid-sized tree in the middle of a field (see above) that was covered with ten or twelve yellow bobolinks, almost liked winged bananas.

That was on the Bobolink Trail. I suppose I also ought to mention that on the Pelican Trail we caught sight of maybe 100 pelicans out on Albert Lea Lake, which forms the east and south boundaries of the park. 

Perhaps more interesting than the birds—and definitely easier to spot—were the wild fruits and berries we passed along the trails.

Among the fruits we came upon were crab apples. And how about these grapes?

Then we have the plums, more than a little past their prime.

And let's not forget the highbush cranberries.

At one turn in the path we came upon the most attractive bittersweet berries I've even seen.

Though the birds were elusive, we did encounter a curious family of deer. 

On one path the monarch butterflies were numerous and ever-present. But very hard to photograph.

I suspect this turtle was more comfortable than he looked. 

No one seemed to be eating the dogwood berries; I don't know why. Maybe they're the Lima beans of the bird world.

There were plenty of non-fruiting plants to admire, too, like this compass flower.

And how about this spectacular spray of whiteness, which might be a form of wild cucumber?

Lots to appreciate, in short, and only a short drive from home.

The ranger came by after dark, and we chatted with her for quite a while about park history, the diminishing bird life, and the web-based campground reservation system. (She doesn't like it.) "Why call the state to change your campsite?" she said. "I'm right there in the office. You can call me!"