Black Bear

We received an e-mail yesterday that someone had spotted Black Bear Skat (droppings) near Highway 9 on the Forsyth Big Creek Greenway.  We haven’t verified the sighting, nor have we received any notifications of bear sightings in the area.  That being said, black bears are indigenous to the region.  They are generally shy, and will likely stay away from the area when people are around.

Here is a site with some safety techniques to remember should you encounter a bear.  If you encounter one, please don’t try to interact, feed, or get closer to the bear.  Also, never get between a bear and it’s cub.

When I walked that portion of the trail to verify the nests today, I didn’t have my camera.  I will head back out tomorrow to try and get some good shots of the herons before they leave their nests.

On another note, I was lucky to see a young deer along the trail today heading to the birds nest.  It is fairly common on the Alpharetta trail to see deer.  If you have any tips on animal sightings, or would like to report seeing any animals, post an article to our new Community Forums.

Brilliant Fall Colors (Photo by barnabywasson on Flickr)

Fall is my favorite season in Georgia.  The weather is a great relief from the hot, humid Georgia summers.  The low humidity, abundant sunshine, and moderate temperatures make it the perfect time of the year for outdoor activities.  Throw in the brilliant colors as the leaves change and begin to fall, and there is no reason not to be outside.

The Big Creek Greenway is a great way to spend that time.  Unlike a lot of forests in Georgia that have been previously logged, the greenway boasts a large population of hard wood trees.  This makes the colors along it that much more spectacular.  Though most of the leaves have now fallen off of the trees along the Greenway, the Alpharetta portion is still a great walk with some amazing views.  With a majority of trees bare, you get unobstructed views of the remaining leaves.

This is also the time of the year where Big Creek River becomes more visible from the trail.  Watch for fish, squirrels, ducks, geese, and especially deer.  Without the leaves as cover the deer are easily visible and in abundance.  One of my personal favorite spots to look for deer is near the parking lot at Ethan Allen on North Point Parkway.  There is a field behind Ethan Allen that I have spotted dozens of deer in over the years.  If you’re really lucky, you may even spot a wild turkey or two.  They have been spotted in the area before, but I have never been lucky enough to see them on the trail.

So don’t miss out in these last days of fall colors before winter begins to settle in.  While it may be too late to see the trees on the Forsyth portion of the Greenway, the Alpharetta portion is still vibrant.  Get out and take a stroll on the greenway.  Relax and enjoy the weather, scenery, and wildlife.