WALK IN THE WOODS: Bromley Family Nature Reserve, Chapel Hill, NC

Bromley Family Nature Reserve, Chapel Hill, NC

We were in North Carolina for Thanksgiving and it was a beautiful fall day, so we decided to take a walk in the Bromley Family Nature Reserve, one of many local preserves with trails for hiking and biking.

Wood Duck Way is for both bikers and hikers. A number of bikes passed us on the path. Some trails are for hikers only.

After parking our car, we set off on Wood Duck Way, a circular path about 1.2 long, mostly through forest. While we saw no wood ducks, or much other wildlife, we spotted several nest boxes high in the trees where the wood ducks would lay their eggs in the spring. 

The wood duck nest box is mounted about 6 feet from the ground.

In late November, a few golden leaves still clung to the branches, but most had fallen to the forest floor. Next spring, the leafy carpet will make a soft landing place for the wood ducklings as they leave the nest and plummet to the ground. They will follow their mother's calls to the pond nearby and she will look after them. (The baby ducks can’t fly, but are able swimmers.)

Black vultures.

As we continued down the path we spotted a pair of black vultures circling overhead, the white tips of their wide wings catching the sunlight. They disappeared and a few minutes later we noticed them again, perched on a branch just above the path. What puzzled us was a third vulture, dead on the ground below them, showing no sign of what had caused its demise, and we wondered if it was being mourned by its companions.

A guide to common birds helps to identify species that make their home in the nature preserve.

Midway around the circular path we took a branch that led across a creek and to a small lake and a picnic area.

Beaver dam and lodge with "beaver deceiver" drainage pipe.

On the way to the lake, we passed a beaver dam that had a large drainage pipe going through it. A sign explained that this was a “beaver deceiver” designed to keep a steady flow of water in the creek. Beavers are important to the ecosystem but their dams sometimes cause the paths to flood during rainy periods. By draining excess water behind the dam, but leaving enough to protect the beaver lodge, the paths stay dry for hikers and bikers and the beavers are safe and happy.

Walkway to dock.

Arriving at the lake, we walked out to the dock and peered over the edge, where we spotted numerous turtles paddling about in the shallow water. They too seemed to be enjoying the mild November day. As I looked back toward the shore I could see the reflection of the trees on the shore, their shapes and colors modulated by the ripples in the water, making them seem like a Monet painting. 

Reflections.

It was time to head back to the car and the perfect end to a walk in the woods on a beautiful fall day.

 

Piedmont Nature Trails at the North Carolina Botanical Garden

A year ago in November we traveled to North Carolina to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with our family in Chapel Hill.  On Thanksgiving day, the weather was crisp and clear, and while the turkey was cooking we decided to get some exercise and went for a walk along the Piedmont nature trails at the North Carolina Botanical Garden. Following the marked trails through the forest, we took a circular route, crossing the Meeting-of-the-Waters Creek twice.  Although most of the leaves had already fallen, a few hardy remainders glowed in the afternoon sunlight.

A diversity of hardwood and evergreen trees, shrubs, and woodland wildflowers thrive in these woods. Interpretive brochures and a trail map are available at the entrance to the trail. The trail walk can take from 15 to 45 minutes or more, depending upon the path taken and your pace. We spent about an hour and went home with a healthy appetite for a delicious meal. For a trail map click here.

The Piedmont Nature Trails are open to the public every day of the year. 


The adjacent Botanical Garden includes an Education Center and numerous display gardens featuring native plant borders, a native water garden, a fern collection and more.
Visiting hours to the Botanical Garden are:
Weekdays: 8 am - 5 pm (administrative offices, gift shop, exhibits open at 9 am);
Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm; Sunday: 1 - 5 pm (open to 6 on weekends June - August)
Admission is free.

Other gardens and natural areas managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden include the Coker Arboretum on the campus of the University of North Carolina. We have made many visits to the Coker Arboretum, which is especially beautiful in spring when the dogwoods and azaleas are in bloom.