I look at the south shore in west Bay Shore from the Captree Causeway Bridge and see a large chunk of shoreline with no houses or bulkheads. This is the beach of the 235 acre Gardiners County Park. This is rare for local people because it is open to anyone. This is not private land. As a result, everyone who wants to has access to a large forest, salt marsh, and beach. Plus Thompsons Creek which forms the eastern boundary of the park.
I continue to find new things to observe and photograph on this my third tour. I have been exploring the “off the beaten path” trails and they have been very interesting.Today, it’s the eastern boundary along Thompsons Creek.
A trail just east of the Parkcours exercise area takes me close to the creek with several opportunities to approach its banks and see spring emerging full force.
Tree leaves are almost full size. One species of vibernum has the scientific name Vibernum dentatum. The leaves are toothed, growing opposite one another, and growing from straight, narrow trunks. Native Americans used this plant…more a shrub than a tree. The straight shafts were used to make arrows.
As I approached Thompson Creek, skunk cabbage and touch-me-not plants are abundant. For me, it is exciting to be able to approach the bank of a any creek. This is not true for the majority of south shore creeks. Most of their banks are in private back yards. Along the south shore, this is not easy. Of the more than 100 south shore creeks, Thompson Creek is very unusual. There are more places to access this creek than any other creek. The opposite side is private property, but the houses are far from the bank. This is an example of excellent planning. The developers were probably prevented from building homes with backyards right up against the wetland edges of the creek. Preservation of this land as a park meant that the entire length from Montauk Highway south to the bay is preserved open space. On the north side of Montauk Highway, the creek is inaccessible because of private homes right up to the banks.
The trail roughly parallels the creek. I had it to myself. This park is well known to dog walkers. They stick to the wide trails. The park has two identities…the nature lovers and the dog lovers. They coexist because there are many side trails that are narrow and less used. I was here to enjoy and discover. As a seasoned naturalist for almost half century, I found plants on this walk that I haven’t seen in a long while. I still remember their names and it thrills me to still be able to remember them. One plant especially, called Early Meadow Rue is a tender recluse with charming leaves and flowers. I took lots of pictures.
Many new leaves have red coloring. Poison Ivy is a good example. The three shiny leaves are magnificent. The red allows new leaves to receive extra heat on cold days. Infra red radiation from the sun penetrates red leaves and warms them. This way they can resist freezing.
Cinnamon fern fronds are almost done unfurling.. This is the tallest fern in the park sometimes more than three feet. They add elegance to any woodland. They grow in moist soil especially along creeks. The name comes from cinnamon-colored fuzz at the base of the stalk. A few birds collect this fuzz and use it to line their nests…especially warblers.
I saw and heard several catbirds along the trail. Their dusky color blends in well with shade. They like to live in the lower parts of a forest especially near open water. Their call sounds a lot like a cat. They are curious, come forward, check me out, and then retreat.
Tupelo trees are common along the creek edge. The bark pattern is blocky, very much like the pattern of alligator skin. They are also called Black Gum. Their berries are an important source of food for migrating birds. It’s too bad that the Suffolk County Parks Department doesn’t conduct nature walks here. There is a lot to see. I’d call this park a “botanical showcase.” Perhaps a start to encourage the public to turn toward “Nature Study” is a power point program in local Libraries and organizations. This is my game plan and eventually lead nature walks here for the County.
I found Serviceberry trees in bloom. The tiny white five petaled flowers are exquisite. This tree produces the earliest fruit on any.the common name derives fom the fact that the tree blossoms when funeral services are held because the ground is rock solid all winter. Native Americans collected the berries, dried them, and added them to animal fat for long-distance deer scouting hunts. The tree is also named Shadbush from the fact that when this tree is blooming, Shad are swimming up stream to spawn. more than 40 species of birds eat the frout from this tree. It’s fruit comes at a time when birds are sapped of energy from long migrations.
I came to an opening that lead east onto an extensive salt marsh. Low tide helped me to decide to explore. I encountered a sign erected by Suffolk County. It was a warning that the Suffolk County Vector Control had sprayed to kill mosquitoes. I decided to ignore the warning and continue.
The forest opened to a magnificent scene. The meandering Thompson Creek was nearing the bay. A stately Great Egret fished along the opposite side, a thick salt hay mat textures the ground with fine strands of grass. I was extremely lucky to see two glossy ibis birds land on the marsh nearby. I quickly took photos.
I walked along the edge of the marsh, hopped two mosquito control ditches, and approached the beach. I spotted another bird right at the edge of the bay. I stalked it, stayed a respectable distance, and took photos. Later, I visited Darrel Ford, who banded birds on Fire Island at the lighthouse for 25 years. “It’s a greater yellow legs.” I was thrilled to get a decent, sharp photo. I headed toward the Beach Walk trail amazed at the overwash of sand onto the marsh. A storm from the south pushed large waves onto the beach. The waves carried sand inward and formed amazing “sculptures” of brilliant white against green.
On previous walks, I was disappointed with the park not having explored or even known about the amazing trails in this park. I took the park for grant it. Living close by, with no dog, I have found a “laboratory”, to observe, appreciate, photograph, and identify. This park is a true gem.
Leave a Reply