About Ouachita WMA, Le Flore Unit
As stated in the link above, the WMA covers over 212,000 acres of the Ouachita Forest. While driving south on HWY-59, I chose the road that led to Cedar Lake Recreation Area, then found a secluded parking spot that connected to an equestrain trail (Trail #1, Access 2.8).
April 16th Excursion:
I arrived at the parking area for Trail #1, Access 2.8 at around 7:30 am, following the drive from Tulsa. I followed the marked trail north, following the creeks downstream toward Cedar Lake. A small series of showers rolled through the area during the first hour but after that the sky would clear. As I gathered my gear, I spotted a pair of American Crows flying above, not doubt looking for campers to glean some food from.
During the early portion of the walk the only birds I could hear were several Black and White Warblers and a pair of Pine Warblers. I watched the hyper-active Pine Warblers forage among the higer branches of the short-leaf pines, quite a feat considering the low light of early morning. Very few other birds could be seen or heard during the first hour. My guess was is that pine forests can support fewer varieties of bird species as opposed to decidious forests. I need to find out if that was the case.
As I neared the confluence of streams, more decidious trees could be seen among the landscape. The familiar nasal call of a pair of Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers could be heard overhead, as well as the all-too-familiar call of a Northern Cardinal. Several portions of the trail were closed to horse traffic because of eroision issues, so I had to carve a path through the forest to another path along a larger stream.
I walked along the trail until I came to a barbed-wire fence, marking the boundary between the WMA and private property. As I surveyed the creek I heard a troop of people riding their horses through across a ford 15 yards downstream from my position.
Since it was nearing 10:00 am, I decided to hike back and find my way to Cedar Lake. While walking back along the trail I came across two men riding horses. I returned to my car at 11:15 am and plotted a course to Cedar Lake.
Location: Ouachita WMA - Le Flore Unit - Trail #1, Acc. 2.8 - Zoe, OK
Observation date: 4/16/09 Number of species: 7
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2
Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis 2
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 2
Pine Warbler - Dendroica pinus 5
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 6
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 1
Photos (Numbered from top to bottom):
1) A stream flowing through the Ouachita Mountains, eventually reaching Cedar Lake.
2) Some Bird's-foot violets growing at the base of a short-leaf pine tree.
3) An early morning shot of a hollow along the streambed.
4) Am unidentified wildflower.
5) A small stream of water flowing between two boulders, the trail runs along the top.
6) Another streambed found within the WMA.
7) A photo of the lower-lying area around the confluence of streams, due south of Cedar Lake.
8) The creek that forms the boundary between the WMA and private property.
9) A Honeybee forages among the flowers of a Plains Wild Indigo.
-SPQ 4/20/2009
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