The sun is finally shining here in the Midwest so the mister and I decided to celebrate with a visit to the Sarett Nature Center in Benton Harbor Michigan.
It costs 3 dollars to get in which is well worth it as the grounds are large (8 miles of trails in 1000 acres)
and well marked with lots of trail signs to keep you on track with your chosen destination. We picked up a map at the front desk and followed along with it quite easily.
About 2 hours into our trail hike we came upon this old abandoned boxcar and I was so happy to have my camera with me to capture it. You just have to wonder how did this old Michigan Fruit Canners rail car get in the middle of the forest in a Nature Center. I love the color and the old lettering.
All of the trails and special viewing platforms were marked with little hand made wood signs like this one.
As you can see here, a woodpecker really went to town on this tree!
Fun benches and resting spots could be found throughout the center
While it was challenging to get any good pictures of the birds which were moving about so quickly, this fine turtle was much more my speed. He seemed to be enjoying the sunshine as much as we were.
Not all of the center was covered in these wooden walkways but quite a bit of it was. There was even a treetop walkway . The wood and steel raised walkway is 250 feet long and 55 feet off the ground making for a great treetop bird spotting location.
We ended up spending 3 hours at the center and hiking many miles. It felt good to get out in the sun after our long winter. We spotted many birds, a beaver, a raccoon and turtles. I'm sure deer and other forest friends could be spotted on different days. It was great day and well worth the 3 dollars entrance fee. Hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods!
