Because I haven’t the wits about me at the moment to complete the spider series, and because I’m preparing to go to work, allow me to share some of my other experiences from Lake Tawakoni State Park.  Remember I journeyed there last Sunday as I endeavored to satiate my inner geek by visiting the super-spider web being built and maintained in North Texas.  But as I mentioned just after returning home from that trip, “I also have pictures from the lake that have nothing to do with spiders or webs. . .”  To grant me a reprieve from having to think too much, allow me to fill your eyes with some of the splendor that so capably filled my own.

One of many nature trails

A giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
[I believe this is the largest butterfly in North America]

Sunrise over the lake

Standing on the peninsula where arachnids rule

Another nature trail

A hidden cove I discovered

My reason for visiting was never forgotten

A view of the lake through trees and brush

Something magical is afoot

By the way, for those wondering how to pronounce the name of this lake, it’s tuh-WAH-koh-nee, and it’s Native American after the Caddoan tribe of the Wichita group that once called the area home.  It’s the Caddoans (or Kä’dohädä’cho) who occupied much of this area in the 18th and 19th centuries prior to settlement by pale-skinned immigrants.

You’ll be pleased to know the Caddo Indians will be honored in End of the Warm Season.  It’s through them that you will first come to know of the Still Watchers.  It’s my way of thanking them for their heritage, if not a wee bit of paying homage to those from whom we’ve taken far too much in both the past and present.

[all photos are shown in chronological order; this is only a sampling of images still available from this trip, so you can expect to see more from Lake Tawakoni in the future]