Canyon Lake Gorge Again 10-07-2023

I had the honor of escorting AAMN Class 49 on their field trip to the Canyon Lake Gorge today. We had amazing weather for the entire hike. It was in the 60s and 70s with a nice breeze and sunny skies. I absolutely love going on this field trip, although I will be achy tomorrow. I did not include the 100+ shots with the trainees in them.

This is a shot of Canyon Lake Spillway. It is the length of 3 football fields. In 2002, we had a lot of rain all in one day. The spillway did it's job and allowed water to exit the lake without damaging the dam. Think of that little slit in your sink that stops it from overflowing. When the water rushed over the spillway, the gorge was formed. It is an amazing place.

Dinosaur tracks were found after the flood washed away layers that had been there since Texas was mostly covered by the ocean.

There aren't a lot of flowers in the gorge right now because of the drought. But, I did see some.

These beauties grow all over the place. The are really pretty in person.

I just couldn't capture them very well.

If you look closely you can see an actual dinosaur at the tip of the track.

This is one of my favorite native plants. It is called Snow on the Mountain.

It grows in clusters in areas where the ground is mainly limestone.

There was some Goldenrod blooming. It was really pretty.

This would have been such a great shot, but I was feeling a little rushed and nervous on a rocky ledge.

I should have lightened this. Sorry.

There are several little waterfalls throughout the gorge.

None of this was visible before the flood.

This is a real beauty. He just stayed there warming up in the sun. He is a Texas Earless Lizard.

Do you see the gorgeous green spider? One lady said, "Only a group of Master Naturalists would gather around to see a little spider!" So true. The pinkish color is from the lady who is holding the plant stem to keep it from blowing in the breeze.

Down lower in the gorge near the lagoon, the Goldenrod was AMAZING!

There were bees and flies all over it. It was hard to get a picture because the plants were blowing in the wind.

This is a beautiful Ailanthus Webworm Moth. It looks like a true bug or beetle when not in flight. When it flies, is looks like a wasp! Nature is beautiful AND fascinating.

Cat Tails

A beautiful arrangement of ferns under a dripping ledge of the gorge.

Another of my favorites- Soapberry!