Great Blue Heron on water

North Fork above Blair Bridge.

Odoanta (dragon and damsel flies) of the North Fork

Here are just a few of the many Dragon Flies and Damsel Flies is saw in my August 2008 visit to ROLF.

Just a picture reminder to all; it is almost autumn

I love autumn on the North Fork and it should begin to show in 2-3 weeks. Signs of fall have already began. Autumn colors begin to peak in the southern Ozarks around the middle of October; some years a little later. It starts to cool down into the 50's at night and the mornings are typically foggy in the river valley, unless there is a front in the area. Afternoons are usually sunny with a "high blue" sky and warm. Crickets chirp all day long. Sunrises and sunsets are often dabbled with spectacular colors, helped by the continuous changing of leave color. Make plans to get out: NOW. Picture from above Rainbow Springs on the upper river.

Missouri Tarantula visits ROLF

This picture taken in September 2006 (can you see the angle of the sun?), is of a beautiful Missouri Tarantula. These spiders are actually quite common in the southern 1/3 of the state. This spider is easily 3-4 inches long and is probably a female.

Courtesy MDC: "This hairy species is Missouri's largest spider. Female tarantulas average approximately 60mm in length, the males 50mm. Body and legs are uniformly dark chocolate-brown, with reddish hairs on the carapace. 

The tarantula's large size and shaggy appearance is frightening to many people, leading them to believe it has a ferocious nature. It actually is a shy creature, quick to evade humans. Taranthulas are typically at home in areas seldom frequented by people. They appear to prefer dry, rocky glades, where they spend their days in silk-lined burrows in abandoned rodent or reptile tunnels or in other natural cavities. Like many hunting spiders, tarantulas are active at night, when they hunt for insects such as crickets. In late summer and fall, south Missourians often see these large arachnids crossing roads. This wandering phenomenon has been documented in male tarantulas in southern California, but it has not been studied in Missouri."

July picture near Whispering Pines

Caught the morning sun just right on an early morning hike. Taken with a Canon 5D.

Hummingbird on nest

Imagine a 1" diameter nest with 3-4 pea sized eggs settled in the bottom. These birds are amazing in that they survive despite their size.

The Falls of the North Fork at 395 CFS

On 8/7/08 the water is starting to reach a low summer level; slightly below normal. But the falls is still impressive and so clear.

Summer Tanager

Picture taken on 8/6/08 with a 400 mm lens of a Summer Tanager in a tree on a ROLF hillside in the early morning light. The morning's heavy fog is still in the valley behind. I had been watching is particular bird for about 35 minutes in the treetops and this was the only shot I had to photograph him/her.

Hummingbird - NO !!! Hawk Moth - YES !!!

Last time I stayed at ROLF 8/7/08 there were plenty of hummingbirds drinking nectar from trumpet vines and then I saw this. Only today, 8/15, did I learn that this is a Hawk Moth. What a beautiful insect and quite an impostor too.

Storm clouds 8/7/08

Storm clouds 8/7/08 - the main storm missed ROLF.

Huge crawfish and dead crawfish claws of 4"

Some big crawfish pictures.

Poison Ivy starting to pick up color and Goldenrod

8/6/08 - early Poison Ivy coloration and some very early Goldenrod.

North Fork Butterflies

Here a few pictures taken 8/7/08 of summer flowers and butterflies along the North Fork.

Sassafras is turning colors 8/7/08

A few sassafras trees are turning color this early August; really one branch of leaves; here and there.

Fishing Report 8/5 - 8/7

Fishing was tough because of the hot temps and low clear water (380 CFS). I caught no rainbows; I may have lost one fairly good one but never got a real good look at him. I caught 4 Brown's, all on soft-hackle flies, during early morning or later evening into darkness. I took some underwater pictures of two of them prior too release. Two were 15".

New underwater pictures of Caddisflies

Aquatic Insects; caddisflies and a few minnows.

Fog off Highway "H" near North Fork at 6 AM

This was the morning after a 100 degree day on August 4th, 2008.

A late June dusk (complete with mayfly hatch)

A beautiful evening on thee North Fork below jack's Riffle with a significant mayfly hatch in progress.

On Rainbow Spring Branch (proper)

Pictures the outlet, and of the faster south branch, the slower north branch, and the magnificent underwater aquatic plant growth in between the two. Flow is 237 Million gallons per day (Missouri's 3rd largest spring). BY permission of the owner. June 2008.

On Rainbow (north Branch) looking down at North Fork

Rainbow Springs (aka; Double Springs) north branch; looking east toward the North Fork of the White River. June 2008. By permission of owner.

On Rainbow (south branch) looking down at North Fork

Rainbow Springs (aka. Double Springs) looking down about 100 yards above the confluence with the North Fork of the White River. June 2008. By permission of owner.

North Fork Falls in June 2008

Above and below at 650 CFS.