A Trip Upstream from Barton Springs

Personally, if I have to fight for this country, I will not fight for the flag, or the American “way of life,” or democracy, or private enterprise or for any other abstractions, which seem cold as kraut to me. But I will fight to the last ditch for Barton Creek, Boggy Creek, cedar covered limestone hills, Blazing star and Bluebonnets, Golden-cheeked Warblers and Black-capped Vireos, and so on through a catalogue of this natural environment of Austin, Texas. It is through this natural environment of Austin, Texas, that I love America. --- Roy Bedichek

I walked along Barton Creek today. I'd read a note that Great-Granddaddy wrote about walking on the creek above Barton Springs with his daughter, Sarah, so I wanted to see it for myself. It is beautiful-- the limestone creek bed and bluffs, the abundant bird life, the tree-covered trail.

Sign says: "No jumping or diving, hidden rocks below."

But there was no running water -- just a few puddles here and there. I was shocked. It seemed like a "used-to-be" creek. There were odd signs that seemed to imply that there was a lot of water at one time, or perhaps there is a lot more water at other times of year.

Ropes for swinging into the water.

When I asked a couple of people on the trail, they didn't know and seemed uninterested -- it made me sad. Later, I did some research online and it does appear that the water levels vary throughout the year, but some years it stays dry all year.

Luckily, there are people who do care and have been caring for years. The Save Barton Creek Association is doing their best. I actually found the Bedichek quote above on their website.

With the amount of development happening in Austin, they will have to remain diligent.

I also walked along the river downtown at the Waller Creek Watershed. It was sadly very full of trash. The trails were so full of people and bikes (and poison ivy!!!) it was difficult to navigate, but it is still so lovely to have such a nice walk and bike trail right downtown. I saw a couple of the last standing houses completely surrounded by high-rises and construction -- quite a juxtaposition. I can't imagine how these people have managed to hang on to them.

Austin is a great city with a unique vibe and character. It still tugs at my heart. At the same time, it is hardly the place Great-Granddaddy experienced and loved so dearly. It was great to go and "be" in his regular haunts -- especially Oakwood Cemetery and Barton Springs. They still have their charm and are full of great birds!

Eastern Bluebird at Oakwood Cemetery

Red-bellied Woodpecker (can't see his red head).

Yellow-Rumped Warbler (identification help from my mother, Jane Derrick)

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Today's Bird List

• Goldfinch

• Monk Parakeet (South American bird that was probably released in the 1980s)

• Lesser Scaup (duck)

• Snowy Egret

• Grackle

• Mockingbird

• Mourning Dove

• Eastern Bluebird

• Red-bellied Woodpecker

• Yellow-Rumped Warbler

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Also took Great-Granddaddy to see some old friends in Oakwood Cemetery.

Known for being a blacklisted entertainer during McCarthyism and bringing a successful lawsuit against the organization that was responsible.

John Lomax, noted folklorist and musicologist, was Bedichek's first boss in the registrar's office at UT and became a dear friend.

Bluebonnet friends