remote bogs

[woodjin]

Due to scheduling changes I was able to get out in the woods later today. I went fishing. I revisited some old bogs I hadn't been to in 10 to 12 years. Once i got there I remembered why...not many fish. However, it is an amazing area. This place is a strong contender for one of the most remote and forsaken areas in the pine barrens.

I think the reason no one ever gets back there is because it is surrounded by very large tracts of private land and is easily overlooked. It is state land however and is sizable. There are only few ways to gain access, but once you are in it is very wild. I didn't see any garbage, or even a deer stand if you can believe it! Any way, here are some pics.

the bogs:

A lonely savanna

Meadow Beauty

Beautiful uplands occur quickly from the low land bogs:

I wonder when was the last time anyone drove on this road?

A sand wash as I neared civilization

sweet fern?

A fox den

Jeff

 

[bobpbx]

Beautiful Jeff! I love it! Great pictures.

Yes, sweet fern. Actually a misnomer, it is a member of the bayberry family.

Let me ponder a bit on where you were. Makes a nice mystery.

 

[Teegate]

Nice photo's. I love old roads like that!


Guy

 

[mike242424]

very nice pics. Whenever you can to a spot like that where you know people do not go commonly, it makes it all the better. Looks like a great day.

 

[dragoncjo]

Jeff, do you have any more pictures of that fox den, preferably the other side of it? Thanks
Chris

 

[BEHR655]

Nice Jeff.

Steve

 

[bobpbx]

Boy Jeff, you know you are really out there when you tag a "sand wash" as being near civilization. I am still pondering.

 

[woodjin]

Jeff, do you have any more pictures of that fox den, preferably the other side of it? Thanks
Chris

You're thinking pine snake aren't you? The opening on the other side is comparible to the size of a fox. There appears to be an attempt at another hole just above the opening or, maybe erosion or intrusion from another animal. Here is a pic of the other side.

Jeff

 

[bobpbx]

Would I be warm if I said East of 539 and North of 70?

 

[dragoncjo]

Jeff, I was thinking along those lines. I've yet to see an actual natural pine snake den, so I'm basing this off pictures. The surroudings of that area are pine snake habitat with the open canopy, which is what made me think along those lines. I've simply seen pictures of them and some look like that. It is hard to get a feel for the size from a picture though. Based on the size though it probably is fox. I'm just use to fox den being on the side of hills. But I'm coming to the conclusion animals in the pine barrens behavior is way different then when they are in more decidious forest.
Chris

 

[woodjin]

Jeff, I was thinking along those lines. I've yet to see an actual natural pine snake den, so I'm basing this off pictures. The surroudings of that area are pine snake habitat with the open canopy, which is what made me think along those lines. I've simply seen pictures of them and some look like that. It is hard to get a feel for the size from a picture though. Based on the size though it probably is fox. I'm just use to fox den being on the side of hills. But I'm coming to the conclusion animals in the pine barrens behavior is way different then when they are in more decidious forest.
Chris

I understand your way of thinking here. I think the hole might be too large and, hard to tell from the pic, it is right along the edge of an old pit probably dug for the construction of an old land bridge. The amount of sand excavated from the hole indicates significant depth. Do pine snakes go that deep? I would think it would take a pine snake a real long time to take out that much sand.


Jeff

 

[woodjin]

Would I be warm if I said East of 539 and North of 70?

No, that is pretty far off. I will give you a few hints on the pm. I certainly don't want to make this area common knowledge on the open forum.

Jeff

 

[whippoorbill]

I've a weakness for scenic wetlands. Your photos are gorgeous, Jeff. There are a few isolated, not-oft visited bogspot locations tucked in my back pocket. I'm always looking for picturesque gems which are also active with nature sounds (for audio-recording purposes), preferaby miles from any active roads. Hear many frogs and whatnot at your secret spot?

 

[woodjin]

I've a weakness for scenic wetlands. Your photos are gorgeous, Jeff. There are a few isolated, not-oft visited bogspot locations tucked in my back pocket. I'm always looking for picturesque gems which are also active with nature sounds (for audio-recording purposes), preferaby miles from any active roads. Hear many frogs and whatnot at your secret spot?

I saw two herons. I suspect I would have heard frogs but I left the area just before the prime dusk calling time for them. Mostly I heard alot of green heads buzzing. I left the back window of my bronco open and, I kid you not, I must have had 150 of them in the truck with me. Fortunitely they were too concerned with gettting out than to take notice of me. I will have to head out there at dusk some time and see what I can hear.

Jeff

 

[manumuskin]

that looks like a pine snake den to me.I know where more then a few are and have seen snakes digging them and coming out of them in the spring.These snakes use them year after year and they do get quite a pile of sand in front of them.Their always in the open exposed to sun and generally within 3 to 5 ft of the water table.the snakes need to get down at least 2 ft to be below fros line and they like to stay moist.the water acts against dehydration and also as a barrier to frost.Fok commonly like to dig into hillsides and camouflage their openings in thick brush,they don't advertise with a big sand hill.he snakes push the sand straight back from the hole with their bodies and make a plume straight back from the hole and the hole goes in at a shallow angle and generally caves in every year which results in the snakes making a shallow trench over the years as the hole repeatedly caves in.fox dig down deep or on a hill straight in and have dirt spread in a fan moreso then a plume and a used den will ofen stink.snakes have no stink that i can smell.
Al

 

[woodjin]

That is interesting. I have come across these dens many times. Often on a brushy decline but sometimes on level ground. I have seen fox dens on steep declines as well. On a fairly recent occassion I was with Bob and Scott (Rednek) and I showed them a couple of these dens as they were near some ruins we were looking at. The two dens themselves were not so close together. Scott noticed right away the strong smell of urine which lead to our conclusion of fox dens. Let me see if I can find photos.

Okay, here is one. Looks like a fox den and I think you can see paw prints in the sand? The other photo of the other den looks more like the photo being discussed. Let me see if I can find it.

Here is Scott and I and Buddy next to this den. This one looks like the one I posted. As I recall, it also had a strong urine smell. I know of others like this. I will visit them and smell. This has my curiousity up.

Jeff

 

[dragoncjo]

I've recently seen three dens like this and have thought groudhog or fox. However I've found three pine snakes right around them recently and snake fences, so I'm thinking that they may be dens. Jeff, one thing you will notice is both dens are in the open along woodsy areas which is typical of pine snakes. I would try to get out there early one morning and see what turns up, see if you see any snake tracks. When you originally posted that thread before I responded that I thought it was pine snake. With two dens in close proximity I didn't think they would be fox since they may be fairly territorial. But with snakes there may be several dens in one area, which is why I thought pine snake.

 

[woodjin]

I'll check it out!!

 

[bobpbx]

Bobpbx is always open to new things and ideas. I think they are mammal dens. I would be extremely surprised to see that they are snake dens. But, if you guys are correct, I tip my hat to you for teaching me a new one.

 

[BEHR655]

Is it possible that they were animal dens taken over by snakes?

Steve