Dusk till Dawn

Dusk till Dawn

I looked east and spotted the orange glow piercing through the oaks still leafless from the long winter nights. I turned right from the trailhead and regained my footing as I reached a muddy path. I slipped and contorted in many ways as I tried to maintain my footing. My mind kept racing, “warm thoughts, warm thoughts,” but it did nothing to stop my now uncontrollable shivering. Only a madman could be up in these conditions for my specific agenda. I stumbled in the half-morn light crashing heavily on a twig. The crack pierced the cold morning air and a…
Read More
Total Solar Eclipse: What to expect on August 21, 2017?

Total Solar Eclipse: What to expect on August 21, 2017?

Where will you be August 21, 2017? The Great American Eclipse will pass through Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area on August 21, 2017. A total solar eclipse is a rare phenomenon and hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected in Western Kentucky, as nearby Hopkinsville is the closest city to the point of greatest totality. What to expect? We are anticipating over 50,000 visitors at Land Between the Lakes. All campsites which can be reserved have been booked and most local lodging is full. Basic and self-service camping are still available. Please get your permits online before you…
Read More
New Bobcat at Woodlands Nature Station

New Bobcat at Woodlands Nature Station

The Woodlands Nature Station is happy to announce a new, frisky resident in our bobcat enclosure. The Nature Station is a permanent, educational home to several species of native wildlife who cannot be released into the wild due to injury or imprinting-- being too comfortable around humans. A Bobcat Story The 10-month old bobcat made Nature Station his home on March 20, 2017. He was hit by a car as a young, 8-week old kitten and suffered back leg trauma. Caring individuals took him to Walden's Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Joelton, TN. Walden's Puddle staff successfully repaired his leg…
Read More
Solar Eclipse 2017

Solar Eclipse 2017

Update 8/10/2017 Are you planning to view the total solar eclipse from Land Between the Lakes? If so, read more about how you can come prepared to have a safe and enjoyable viewing experience. https://landbetweenthelakes.us/great-american-eclipse-2017-questions-answers/ Update 7/28/2017 We have updated the best viewing locations list across Land Between the Lakes. The chart now shows where the closest drinking water is to the viewing location. Check it out! https://landbetweenthelakes.us/best-2017-eclipse-viewing-areas/ Update 7/25/2017 The Elk & Bison Prairie will open at 3pm on eclipse day. Here's why... https://landbetweenthelakes.us/expected-crowds-delay-opening-elk-bison-prairie-eclipse-day/ Update 7/21/2017 Learn what to expect for the total solar eclipse on August 21! https://landbetweenthelakes.us/total-solar-eclipse-august-21-2017/…
Read More
Farewell Bobcat

Farewell Bobcat

The Woodlands Nature Station bid farewell to our bobcat today. The female cat passed away earlier from kidney failure. Such illness is common in older bobcats. Rescued near Memphis, Tennessee, our bobcat arrived as a kitten. She came to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in 1995. In her 22 years living here, she contributed to the learning and knowledge of almost one million visitors. Bobcats play a vital role in our environment. Weakened due to habitat loss, bobcat populations rebounded thanks to effective conservation practices. We estimate that over 200 bobcats reside on the inland peninsula today. The…
Read More
Nature Station Hummingbird Photo Contest 2017

Nature Station Hummingbird Photo Contest 2017

Join us in celebrating the 21st anniversary of Hummingbird Fest by entering our second annual Hummingbird Photo Contest! Come enjoy the spectacle of hundreds of hummingbirds as they visit Woodlands Nature Station this August during their annual southern migration. Bring your camera and capture your best shot of our feathered friends. Please review the rules below... Remember: All photos must be taken at Woodlands Nature Station during August 2017. Categories  Hummingbird(s) at a feeder at Nature Station Hummingbird(s) other than at a feeder at Nature Station Youth Division | 16 and under | Either category “People’s Choice” – Invite your friends…
Read More
Visitors from a World Away

Visitors from a World Away

Submitted by Joshua Frye, Public Affairs Specialist Over 1.5 million people come to Land Between the Lakes in a given year.  While our location in western Kentucky and Tennessee makes it ideal for many Americans to visit, I was surprised to find out just how far people travel to get here thanks to Regina Mitcheson. Regina kept track of visitor’s origins for an entire season in her black composition notebook.  She works at the Woodlands Nature Station with Friends of Land Between The Lakes.  I drove up to speak with her and get her perspectives. Regina told me she maintained…
Read More
That Crazy Snake Guy!

That Crazy Snake Guy!

Submitted by Tim Johnson, Naturalist at Woodlands Nature Station Let me introduce myself!  My name is Tim and I’m one of the relatively new folks at the Nature Station.  Often others call me, “that crazy snake guy!”  My response?  Guilty as charged.  I am an old guy that just never got over a little boy’s fascination with the critters. Yep!  That’s a picture of me (circa. 1965) holding a snake.  From that point on, my relationship with reptiles got more intense!  To make matters worse, my older brother introduced me to Scott Shupe, one of his classmates.  Scott became a…
Read More
Every Kid in a Park

Every Kid in a Park

By Jeff Laird, Customer Service Department Manager Dear Friends, I want to personally ask you to reach out to parents and youth leaders of fourth graders in your area about the Every Kid in a Park program. Please share this information to those you feel would benefit from this free program for kids. The Every Kid in a Park’s 4th grade pass offers FEE-FREE access to participating facilities in public lands for fourth graders and their immediate family members. At Land Between the Lakes this includes our... Homeplace 1850s Farm Where you travel back to a working farm and visit…
Read More
Happy Groundhog Day

Happy Groundhog Day

"Now, Let's See what is going on in Your Neck of the Woods" By John Pollpeter, Lead Naturalist at Woodlands Nature Station Patches of emerald-green blades from spring grasses outline a dusting of white winter snow, as a fuzzy sniffing nose emerges from the security and warmth of his underground burrow. Two bright brown eyes and a set of inquisitive whiskers search the February breeze for potential marauding predators and attractive mates. He is looking for female groundhogs. Each February 2nd, Americans celebrate the potential for spring with a giant rodent, the groundhog. A member of the squirrel family, the…
Read More