Creek from Below

The resting bench sits at the edge of the trail along the creek.  It’s a peaceful place to relax.  Hills on two sides tend to muffle distant sounds.  This is also the zone that is so often devoid of birds and other animal life.  Maybe the bench itself acts as some sort of talisman that warns away the wildlife.

The bench has been in place for 25 years and shows no signs of wear.  It seems that a squirrel has chosen this year to chew the edges of the seat.  Squirrels are the one animal that I do see at this spot on a regular basis.  They often cover the seat with acorn shells, but this is the first time they’ve actually shown aggression towards the bench.

Up there at the top of the slope is where I enjoy the view of the creek from above.  Sitting with my back to the tree allows for an excellent view of the creek and floodplain.

The creek hugs the toe of the slope.  The floodplain to the right is often covered with water, but the creek makes no move in that direction.  The energy of the rushing water works against the rocky slope.  At some point, I believe the release of some large rocks into the creek will change the balance and cause the water to work against the shallow bank.  It could be decades before that happens.

The rocky bottom provides ideal conditions for a wealth of stream insects.  Mayflies, Stoneflies, Water Pennies, Fishflies and many others abound here.

The water burbles quietly through this stretch.  You’re aware of the sound of the stream, but it isn’t loud enough to interfere with hearing the activity in the surrounding woods.

The waterfall is visible far upstream of the bench.  This is probably the most stable stream rock formation on the property.  The solid slabs of limestone bedrock stand up well to the erosive effects of the flowing water.  The resting bench has a great view of the creek and is a wonderful place to spend some idle time.  My problem is that I can’t seem to sit for more than a few seconds before the creek entices me into the channel.

Waterfall

I never tire of watching the water flow down the creek. I really enjoyed seeing the water cascading over this rock shelf.

This area of exposed bedrock is fairly stable and doesn’t change much. It’s the volume of water that is continually changing and creating new scenes.

Enlarged by thousands of times, this could be a classic big river waterfall. Slow water accelerates into rough rapids before plunging over the edge into a churning pool.

Occasionally, I just like to enjoy the beauty of a scene and not dwell on the mechanical, chemical, biological or social implications of what I’m viewing. I must have set for nearly a minute watching and listening to the water before something else caught my eye and my mind shifted back into its normal track. Fortunately, for every photo I take, my mood is captured along with the image and can be revisited as often as I like.

Waterfalls

The top attraction at Blue Jay Barrens during this time of year is the water and I do my best to enjoy it. In six months, I may not find any water at all left on the property. I know that this small tributary stream will be dry in just a few months, but in the time it exists, it will produce a wealth of small aquatic insects and other organisms.

There are many small streams that originate on the upper slopes of the steep hillsides. The water is fast moving, but because of a limited watershed area, the volume of water is relatively low. Even during a heavy rain, the runoff through this channel will be slight. These conditions result in a stream that is very narrow and deeply cut. Downward cutting stops when the bedrock is reached, so the resulting stream is a shady rivulet that seems hidden by the earth.

Various obstacles catch stone and other debris to form small waterfalls. In this case the forked root an Eastern Red Cedar has kept the stream from cutting any deeper into the loose rock. A clear pool has developed where the runoff water falls across the root.

The waterfall effectively prevents fish from traveling into the tributary. This is particularly important to the security of the upstream insect populations. Fish gaining access to the upper parts of the tributary would dine on the insect larvae and change the biological dynamics of the entire stream ecosystem.

Waterfall

Here is one the more scenic sections of creek at Blue Jay Barrens. That snow covered log lying on the bank was once part of a tree that fell and bridged the creek at this point. When the tree finally decomposed and fell, the flood waters put this section up on the bank and it hasn’t moved for several years.

Although it’s a short drop, waterfall music abounds here. This is perfect for people who are soothed by the sound of moving water. Small in size, but big in sound, the gurgles, splashes and bloops of the little falls make it a bad location if your aim is to enjoy the sound of nature in the woods.

Fast moving water keeps any silt from settling here. The clean rock bottom makes an ideal location for streamlined mayfly nymphs that graze algae from the rocks in fast moving water.

The fractured limestone bedrock has created a series of uneven stair steps. In the spring, tiny Northern Creek Chubs and Blacknose Daces stage in the pool and make leaps and runs to clear the falls. It’s like having a miniature model of a salmon run.

The unique geology of the area is responsible for the characteristics of this waterfall. The gradual left to right tilt of the bedrock shelf guides the water to the right, where a section of bedrock has fallen away.

A strong downward slant in the bedrock towards the upstream direction has created an upthrust that effectively stops the water from flowing straight downstream.

This big slab of rock seems to be quite stable, so I’m hoping the waterfall will be a long term feature at Blue Jay Barrens.