Baker Wetlands
The Baker Wetlands are located in south Lawrence, KS. It is a beautiful place, full of animals, insects and wetland plants. There are about six miles of trails that you can easily walk (or run) and there also are walkways over the water and blinds where you can watch birds and other creatures.
Explore the Baker University Wetlands website. You'll find maps, flora and fauna information, many pictures, history of the wetlands: http://www.bakeru.edu/baker-wetlands
Photos from Fall 2009 and June 2010 by:Ari Mihesuah and Devon Mihesuah
Ari and I entered from 31st Street. There is information about the wetlands and map:
We only covered the perimeter of the top left portion of the map (below). I have not taken pictures when I enter the middle portion ("35th street") but will in late April.
We started at the red marker at the top of the map (north), then went west, towards Louisiana Street. This path that parallels 31st and a creek is filled with red earred sliders (below). These two shots were taken from the parking area, looking west. Left is in June, rt, in fall.
Spot the slider:
Ar got out of the car and saw this snake, probably a cottonmouth, curled in a tree:
We stopped to walk along the Boardwalk:
On a boardwalk bench:
The trails are inviting:
Ari shoots close-up of a trumpet vine:
On the south side of the path:
We turned south, now parallel to Louisiana St.:
and startled a deer:
Across Louisiana Street is the new portion of the Baker Wetlands:
The sky rapidly turned dark. We decided not to go all the way around the wetlands in case of rain so we turned east at the first opportunity (35th St. on the wetlands map).
There was plenty to see.
Looking north. Kansas University as seen from the wetlands. Frazier Hall is the large building with flags
All of a sudden the sprinkles became a downpour. We put the cameras back in the packs and ran for it. As we turned back north, the rain subsided.
Sights along the way north:
We only covered the perimeter of about 25% of the wetlands. Part 2 coming soon.