![]() ![]() Their caterpillars have a fondness for Common Blue Violets ( Viola sororia), so they will occasionally appear on lawns. It dashed across the field, landing for a few seconds, then fluttering off again just above the flowers. ![]() Once out in the open meadows, I paused to appreciate the frenetic flight of the Great Spangled Fritillary ( Speyeria cybele). The Meadow Trail: Butterflies, Dragonflies and Rolling Meadows of Wildflowers Foraging Butterflies Its underwings look a lot like tree bark, too!.The dappled light beneath a tree provides nice camouflage for the Gray Comma butterfly.It will produce a generation which will fly in August or September and hibernate to start the cycle again. This Gray Comma would be the offspring of those that overwinter. These butterflies emerge from within logs or from under tree bark in April and mate. It looks very much like the autumn coloring of the Eastern Comma ( Polygonia comma) since it’s summer, it had to be the Gray Comma. On one of my many visits between the downpours, I saw a flash of orange among the shadows which turned out to be the Gray Comma ( Polygonia progne). ![]() Mottled sunlight slips over your shoulders when you first enter this area of the park. The Trail Begins in Sunny Meadows Filled with Wildflowers The Meadow is lavender with Bee Balm blossoms and complemented by dashes of orange from Butterfly Milkweed. Armed with Deet, I wanted to see if I could find some beautiful, or at least interesting insects that would give me a break from the not-so-lovable ones! So here’s what I found, for better and for worse… The run reaches the parking area at 3.6 miles, finishing the adventure.This last few weeks I’ve explored the small, older section of Stony Creek Raving Nature Park, the western trail from Knob Creek Drive on West Gunn that leads to the Ravine itself. The return run is almost all downhill, descending along Rottenwood Creek to the banks of the Chattahoochee River, and then running nearly level to return to the trailhead. A small waterfall cascades over large boulders below the bridge, shaded by a towering highway bridge.įrom here, this adventure on the West Palisades Trail doubles back to Paces Mill park, retracing its outbound steps the trailhead. The trail levels after a steady climb, crossing Rottenwood Creek over an elevated bridge. Rottenwood Creek drops far below the trail to the right. The meanders through switchbacks, beginning a steep climb towards Akers Mill Road. Several side trails depart on the trail’s right, offering access to the creekbed, a popular swimming hole for dogs. The trail crosses a wooden boardwalk and then crosses the creek via a large wood and metal bridge. The paved trail arcs to the northwest, following the contours of the tumbling Rottenwood Creek on the left. ![]() This stretch of the West Palisades is remote, and makes for a great trail run or fantastic urban hike check out our review of the West Palisades Trail at Akers Drive for photos and details. Several dirt side trails depart on trail right, diving into the forest along the river’s banks. The trail crosses a bridge spanning Rottenwood Creek before arcing northwest. Views of the Chattahoochee River open wide after the trail ducks out from under the towering overpass, and the river’s flow is often glassy and reflective in this stretch. The highway’s enormous concrete supports tower cathedral-like over the wide, smooth-flowing river, a juxtaposition of nature and urban infrastructure. The trail passes under a highway overpass at just over. The river’s banks and rocky shoals are prime habitats for wildlife, including deer, geese, and heron. The adventure departs from the West Palisades Trailhead at Paces Mill Park near Vinings ( view maps and driving directions), traveling northeast and following the Chattahoochee River’s banks. Paces Mill Park on the West Palisades Trail: the run ![]()
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