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| Radnor Lake in early April. |
To me, this is one of the most beautiful walks you can take in Nashville.
There are trails on the north and the south sides.
Today, I parked at the west parking area, next to the
Visitors' Center (see map).
Visitors' Center (see map).
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| This is Otter Creek Rd. Turn left after the gate to find a parking spot. Good luck on weekends. |
I began my hike by walking on Otter Creek Road from the
Visitors' Center to the lake (see trail map).
Toothwort flowers were lining the road.
Visitors' Center to the lake (see trail map).
Toothwort flowers were lining the road.
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| A species of Toothwort |
Information on Cutleaf Toothwort
Periwinkle (Vinca minor) was also next to the road.
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| Cutleaf Toothwort |
Periwinkle (Vinca minor) was also next to the road.
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| Information on Periwinkle |
Soon after reaching the lake I took the trail on the right,
which lead to this point. I took the South Cove Trail,
which goes uphill to the ridge.
which lead to this point. I took the South Cove Trail,
which goes uphill to the ridge.
I was surprised to see what seemed
like millions of Dutchman's Breeches on the hillside.
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| Dutchman's Breeches (Britches). |
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| Click any photo to enlarge it. |
These Dutchman's Breeches were growing all the way up
the hill to the ridge. It was unbelievable.
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| One of the many species of Trillium. Information on Trilliums |
Spring Beauties were everywhere.
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| This hillside was covered with Toothwort, Spring Beauty, and Dutchmans' Breeches. |
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| Spring Beauty Information on Spring Beauties |
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| I met some White-tailed Deer along the way. They are apparently used to people. Information on WT Deer |
Violets can come in several different colors,
including yellow.
including yellow.
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| Yellow Woodland Violet |
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| Close-up of Yellow Woodland Violet. |
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| A feast of flowers. |
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| False Rue Anemone Information on False Rue Anemone |
Ferns are not flowering plants; they use spores (not seeds) to continue their growth along the forest floor. The leaves of the
fern (called fronds) begin as coiled-up structures that look like
the head of a violin. They're called fiddleheads.
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| One of the many species of ferns. Notice all the fiddleheads. Information about Edible Fiddleheads (Be aware...not all fiddleheads are edible) |
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| Fiddleheads uncoil to become fronds (fern leaves). |
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| The very tiny plant, Yellow Corydalis. |
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| There were many more Yellow Corydalis on the other side of the lake. Information |
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| The ridge of the South Cove Trail. It's downhill from here. |
The bottom of the hill is the end of the S. Cove Trail.
Get on the road and continue straight ahead; don't turn right.
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| The road to the right is Hall Drive. I continued straight on Otter Creek Road heading toward the Lake Trail. |
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| This Trout Lily was growing next to the road. Information on Yellow Trout Lilies |
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| Two Coots were enjoying the lake. Information on Coots |
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| The flowers of Redbud trees are edible. Taste one next time you're out. |
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| Wood Ducks Click here for Info on Wood Ducks |
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| A Common Snapping Turtle in the foreground. The others look like Pond Sliders. |
Click here to see a neat video on Snapping Turtles
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| The flowers of a Pawpaw tree. |
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| Take a left to get on the Lake Trail. See the trail map. |
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| A Five-lined Skink sunning on the bark of this tree. The juvenile form of this lizard has a blue tail. Watch this neat video on taming a Blue-tailed Skink |
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| Continue straight. If you turn right you are on the Ganier Ridge Trail (see map). |
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| A solitary Buttercup. There are many species of buttercups; this species has a very small flower. |
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| The quantity of flowers is hard to imagine. |
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| I saw many Dwarf Larkspurs on this trail with flower buds, but only a few plants were blooming. Information on the Dwarf Larkspur |
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| Turn left to continue on the Lake Trail. Try the Ganier Ridge Trail next time. |
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| This fallen Wild Black Cherry tree is slowly decomposing. The Turkey Tail fungus is growing within the wood consuming the tissue. The remains of the tree will go into the ground; nutrition for the next generation of plants. |
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| The algae in the water is called Spirogyra. It produces the oxygen bubbles by splitting water molecules; H2O splits into hydrogens and oxygens. The hydrogen atoms will bond with the CO2 that the plant absorbs, forming glucose, C6H12O6, their food. Photosynthesis Diagram |
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| Cane Grass growing on both sides of the trail. Information on Cane Grass |
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| It's a kind of bamboo. |
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| A very noisy Canada Goose. Information |
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| A perfect day for a walk around Radnor Lake. |
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| Turtles (Pond Sliders) grabbing some sunlight. Information on Pond Sliders |
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| Turn left here to cross the Spillway Bridge and get on the Dam Walkway. |
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| Continue straight ahead onto the Dam Walkway. |
This trail connects up with Otter Creek Road,
where you will turn right and head back to the Visitors' Center.
Saw lots of biodiversity, today, and got a good workout.
Try walking on the trails of Radnor Lake, especially at this
time of the year. It's very refreshing.
Get out and explore your surroundings!!
