Lake Jeptha Fen Preserve

A few days ago I visited the Jeptha Lake Fen Preserve.  A short description is available by following the link below.  I decided to bring along my camera and take a few photos.  The follow images are at least the way my eye remembers it looking .

http://www.vbco.org/natfeat0004.asp

The area is less than a mile from my home and it is bordered by Lower Jeptha Lake.  It’s a nice preserve for a quick walk with the opportunity to see some wildlife, especially a lot of bird activity.  I would estimate the loop to be approximately one mile.  The area sees very little traffic and the path is not worn down.  Overall, an easy walk but expect some ruts and tall grass.  Everywhere you look you are sure to spot a bird house.  They are speckled throughout the area in many different shapes and sizes.

The walk is a simple loop with a cleared out area near the halfway point for a nice view of Lower Jeptha Lake.  It includes a few sitting benches and the most interesting outhouse I’ve ever seen. Let’s face it outhouses have always raised an eyebrow or two but this particular one just left me shaking my head.

Just east of that overlook there is a path that leads to a boardwalk which spans a marsh and ends at a platform to provide another chance to take a break and enjoy the lake view.  The boardwalk provides an opportunity to get a close up look of plants and flowers that you normally wouldn’t be able to see without disturbing the marsh and becoming a mess in the process.

The walk was quick but enjoyable.  The surprise of the morning was spotting a boat on Lower Lake Jeptha.  I believe the lake is completely land locked with no private property on its shores or any roads leading in.  Yet this morning there was a fisherman on the lake.  The boat can be seen in the photo below that I wasn’t going to include until I realized the boat was captured.  I stopped for one more view of the lake and then walked out with a final pause for another manly flower photo.