Super Moon, Super Hike!

Why go to hiking/walking at night, you ask?  Well, it’s cooler… (ok, that’s a no-brainer… especially with the recent rise in temperatures)!  Hiking in the evening also gives you a chance to appreciate a different side of nature.  The shadows make everything look unusual.  There are different critters out, of varying appendages!  Finally, during a full moon it might be so bright you might not even need a flashlight all the time!

SAFETY FIRST!!!

Before we get started... some basic rules about evening/night hikes.

Evening/night hikes are fun but if you do not know the area during the day you will not magically know it better when it gets dark!  Don’t go for a walk in an unfamiliar area.  We’ve helped people who got lost during the day at Lick Creek Park.  When it gets dark it’s even harder to get out unless you know your way around.   

  

July 2014 Super Moon at Lick Creek Park.  Photo credit: Rick Laughlin.

Bring a flashlight!  It’s surprising how quickly it can get dark.  An enjoyable evening walk can turn into a not too pleasant experience if you are not prepared for the setting sun.

Bring a phone!  Nowadays almost everyone has a mobile phone… bring it in case you need it!

Expect to see interesting things but be careful!  Obviously avoid snakes but be aware of other critters, too.  Last evening while out walking we came upon several mating pairs of walkingsticks (Southern Two-striped Walkingsticks?).  Cool, right?  Apparently, if these guys feel like they are being disturbed they will release a chemical spray that can cause temporary blindness!  Maybe this rule can also be called, don't poke bugs!

Mating pair of walkingsticks at Lick Creek Park.  

So... be careful out there!  Ok, now for the rest of the blog....


SUPER MOON!

We decided to go out last night because it was a Super Moon night.  A Super Moon is when a full or new moon is at it’s closest to the Earth.  Now only will the moon be bright (if it’s not cloudy) but it will also be BIG!

We like going to Lick Creek Park.  It cools off pretty quick and there’s a lot to see when things quiet down.  One time walking along Post Oak Trail we paused to listen and heard a “bob-white!”  It was really close and looking around we saw the bird on a fence across the street.

Northern Bobwhite seen on Post Oak Trail at Lick Creek Park.  Photo credit: Rick Laughlin

Lightning bugs come out and during the right time of year you can hear the calling of Chuck-will’s-widows.  More year-round critters include possums, armadillos, frogs and toads.  On Deer Run we’ve seen Copperheads… not the warm fuzzy critter you’d like to see in a park when it’s getting dark but they are around and need to be watched out for.  Raccoon Run Trail is a really good place to listen to insects… they’re almost too loud certain times of the year!  

Copperhead seen on Deer Run Trail at Lick Creek Park.  Photo credit: Mark McDermott.

We’ve heard Barred and Eastern Screech Owls throughout the park, too.  Just this weekend we also saw a Bobcat run in the general direction of the park (along the greenway near the Pebble Creek development).  We were leaving and saw it cross the street in front of us.  We’re hoping it ended up in the park!

Two Barred Owls seen along Deer Run Trail at Lick Creek Park.  Photo credit: Rick Laughlin.

So go out and enjoy those evening walks.  See new things!  Take pictures!  Upload them to iNaturalist and earn volunteer hours!  And most importantly, don't poke any bugs!

Thanks to Mark McDermott and Rick Laughlin for the photos!

Resources:

Super moon: Wikipedia

Walkingsticks: Wikipedia    

Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America, page 66.