I normally reserve this website as a place for backcountry adventures, i.e., trips that take place far from roads, parking lots, and civilization. However, with travel restrictions in place to slow the spread of the global pandemic, many of us are unable to reach those more exotic locations. Though the wild spaces near our homes may be less exciting to visit than the backcountry, they can still offer solace and a much-needed change of scenery from the indoors. One of my favorite local places to visit these past few months (past decade, really) has been the Celery Bog Nature Area.
In the late 1800’s, settlers in the Lafayette/West Lafayette area drained a large wetland so that they could farm the rich, peat soil. For much of the 20th century, these farms supplied vegetables, including celery, to grocers in the region. The farms were eventually abandoned in the 1960’s and the Celery Bog Nature Area was later established. This 195-acre gem in West Lafayette, Indiana includes prairie, savanna, woods, and a large marsh; paved and dirt trails wind through these various ecosystems, offering a brief escape into nature. Throughout the many years that I’ve lived in West Lafayette, I’ve visited Celery Bog hundreds of times, often with a camera; this post showcases my favorite shots of the nature area.
Celery Bog is the home of many different critters, from ducks, geese, and herons to squirrels, raccoons, and deer. You’ll often see people sporting binoculars or massive telephoto lenses wandering around the trails in search of the nearly 120 species of birds that live here. If you visit in the spring, you’re certain to spot trains of tiny goslings following their parents through the marsh, but be careful not to get too close; geese can be very aggressive when they’re protecting their young! I’ve been chased more than once by a protective goose…
American Coot
Dozens of coots line the shores of the marsh; they scare easily though, so approach quietly!
Moth
A beautiful moth resting on the mulch trail
Munchies
A squirrel nibbles on a nut
Hawk
A fierce hawk looks down from its perch in the tree – it caught some sort of rodent, seen in its left talon
Gosslings
A family of geese glides through the water
Praying Mantis
These have got to be one of the coolest bugs on the planet
Sentinel
A goose guards its nest; also, turtles sun-bathing in the background!
Heron
You can always find one or two herons out fishing in the marsh
Prospecting
Where in the world did I hide those acorns?
Winter
Although the winters can be absolutely frigid in this part of the state, it’s a great season to visit Celery Bog if you want solitude. The transition from the brilliant fall foliage to a snow winter landscape is one of my favorite times to visit and photograph the woods. Wintertime also means unobstructed views through the trees and into the marsh, which makes it easier to spot wildlife.
Snow-blasted
It’s often windy here and when the wind mixes with wet snow, the trees end up painted with white stripes
Transition
An early snowstorm coats the colorful trees in a sheet of white
Frosted
When the conditions are right, the snow sticks to every branch, creating this incredible frosted forest
Winter
It’s easy to see through the woods in the wintertime; the snow also reveals the prints of the many creatures that live around here!
Frozen
Winters here can be frigid. In the years I’ve lived here, it’s not uncommon for the temperatures to reach 10 or 20 below (deg F) in January and February
Engineering in Progress
If sit and watch, you can often see beavers swimming around the marsh; I’ve never caught one gnawing on a tree though
Spring
When spring arrives, the wildflowers appear; not all at once, but gradually. The daffodils, bloodroot, and spring beauties are some of the first to appear from beneath the fallen leaves. Later in the season, the trilliums, phlox, and geraniums add color to the overwhelmingly green scenery. I like to visit throughout the season — this year, practically every day — to see all of the various flowers.
Spring Beauties
This patch of claytonia virginica nestled into the roots of a tree caught my eye one evening
Red Clover
This plant is not actually native to North America, but it sure is beautiful!
Trillium Up Close
Aren’t those colors magnificent?
Siberian Squill
Young Bloodroot
A few bloodroot flowers emerge from the fallen leaves
Bloodroot
Another spectacular bloodroot blossom
Sprouts
There are so many compositions to be found if you get down on your hands and knees and look at the tiny plants
Redbud
A beautiful display of blossoms on a redbud tree
Eastern Spring Beauty
These little flowers bloom early in the spring and blanket the entire forest floor; it’s one of my favorite times to walk through the woods at Celery Bog
Bloodroot
Some gorgeous white flowers – must have red roots
Pheasant Back
Fungi are common in the woods, particularly near the wetland areas in the forest
Trilliums
The dark colors of these trilliums contrast with the lighter hues of most of the other wildflowers at Celery Bog
Great Waterleaf
Sprint Beauty Carpet
One of my favorite sights – one that has always been difficult for me to photograph – the entire forest floor carpeted in spring beauties
Wild Blue Phlox
These pretty little flowers bloom a little later in the spring, after most of the spring beauties have run their course
Wild Geraniums
Later in the spring, the geraniums bloom
Summer
By late May or early June, most of the wildflowers are done blooming and the woods around celery bog are thick with ground cover and saplings. Gone are the unobstructed views you enjoy during the winter and spring, replaced instead by cool, green tunnels through the trees. The shaded woods can be a nice respite from the summer heat.
Mayapple
Don’t let the name fool you – these tiny apples are poisonous!
Path
I’m grateful for the volunteers that mulch these trails and keep them in excellent condition!
Kaleidoscope
A spiderweb in the woods – it’s always fun to find one of these big, stereotypical webs with a spider hanging out on it, waiting to ensnare bugs
Vines
The last light of day illuminates a hanging vine
No Cars Allowed
Barriers on the paved trails prevent cars from mistaking them for roads
Canopy
Summer brings dense canopy of leaves to the woods – it can actually be quite dark in there, even at midday!
Cattails
Autumn
Like most areas with deciduous trees, autumn is a beautiful, vibrant season at the Celery Bog Nature Area. Besides the amazing display of color, there’s that wonderful, earthy fallen-leaf smell. Most years, autumn is the most crowded time at visit Celery Bog, but if you arrive early in the morning you can have the place to yourself.
Fallen
Tiny Feast
I stumbled upon this tiny feast one day while walking through the woods
Across the Marsh
One of the earliest photos I have of Celery Bog; many locals were not pleased with the clear cutting that took place (see the stumps in the foreground) on the eastern side of the marsh
Autumn Vestiges
A few autumn leaves still on a tree as spring begins to arrive
Late Autumn
An early snowstorm mixing with the beautiful fall colors
Set Sail
Last Light
As fall transitions into winter, the light is once again able to reach the forest floor
Misty Morning
Flame
Ah, the maples… these young trees at the edge of Celery Bog are always spectacular in the fall!
Wet Web
Marsh
Resting Spot
There are benches scattered throughout the woods, offering nice places to sit and read a book or watch the birds
