Spring is in the air, and Fairfield Lake State Park is a beautiful place to sit back, enjoy, and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
The ‘Times’ had a chance to visit the Park this past week, and was blown away by the beauty bursting out this spring.
The trees are budding out with the Redbuds and the Bradford Pear Trees in full bloom. The Dogwoods should begin blooming next month.
Trees are sporting the ‘spring green’ of new growth everywhere you look.
“When you go on a trail you can smell the real fragrant, like fresh, spring smell is what I look forward to,” Kris Simmons, Office Manager of Fairfield Lake State Park shares with us.
Bluebonnets are beginning to crop up and show their familiar blue along with many other flowers, including but not limited to, honeysuckle, buttercups and blackberry blooms.
At the entrance to the Park is a ‘Do Not Mow’ area to allow the wildflowers to bloom freely explains Kris.
The park has many butterflies fluttering throughout enjoying the blooms, as well as bees buzzing along enjoying the delicious nectar.
The visiting fishermen talk of how the small bass have moved into the beds, and that the large should follow behind.
Speaking of fishermen, the parking lots had many, many trucks with empty boat trailers hinting at the number of boats out on the lake that day.
While the water is not as warm as some would like, others are finding a swim at the swimming area to be very invigorating.
Snakes are coming out to warm up, you can see them on roadways or on a rock basking in the sun.
The sound of birds singing was impressive with such variety.
“Eastern Phoebes are building their annual nest on our headquarters building,” according to Kate Sherman, Assistant Office Manager of Fairfield Lake State Park.
Owl activity is up and in the evenings you can listen to them talk to each other.
The hummingbirds should be migrating through very soon, and young bald eagles are at the lake perfecting their fishing skills.
The park is full of many animals, and for some it is breeding season.
A pregnant otter was spotted, and they look forward to more babies come summer.
While you might not see a beaver, there are signs of them on trails, especially the nature trails.
Other baby animals to anticipate for the summer months are “, fawns, foxes, bobcat kittens, cottontails, raccoons, and more,” explains Kate.
The trails are beautiful and ready for hikers and bicyclers to enjoy.
Fairfield Lake State Park offers many different events, free with entrance to the park, that varies from the Dutch Oven Demons to Rise-N-Shine hikes. Just keep an eye on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/FairfieldLakeSP
This spring, plan a time to visit Fairfield Lake State Park.
