Natural Wonders at Battle Creek - Story by Christine Basham and Photography by Trisha Dunn

Natural Wonders at Battle Creek

Story by Christine Basham and Photography by Trisha Dunn

We all look forward to the lazy, unstructured days of summer. Veteran parents know, though, that after a few weeks of summer relaxation comes the first long, hot afternoon of total boredom. What to do?

Fortunately for all of us, there are plenty of low-key, inexpensive, educational and fun things to do right here in Southern Maryland. For my family, Battle Creek Cypress Swamp is a winner every time.

Calvert County's Battle Creek Cypress Swamp seems like some foreign, forgotten hideaway. The cypress trees, with their knobby 'knees' rising from the mud, captured my children's attention and my own. How could something so old and majestic be so close to home?

According to Andy Brown, Senior Naturalist at Battle Creek Nature Center, the swamp was first preserved by The Nature Conservancy in 1957.

"For the first 20 years, people saw the wetlands as wastelands. There was a lot of dumping and misuse," until the county stepped in, in 1977. Since then, the area has been preserved and staffed by Calvert County Department of Natural Resources employees.

Funding for the Center's many programs comes in large part from the county budget, supplemented by Battle Creek Nature Education Society fundraisers in the spring and fall and nominal fees for some programs. Admission to the park and its museum is free. The park is open daily, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days, and the staff is on duty to help you enjoy and learn from your visit every day but Mondays.

The staff at the Swamp is very helpful and knowledgeable. Family, adults-only, and children's summer camp and weekend programs are informative and fun, with a focus on environmental education and appreciation for the quiet beauty of the natural world. But rather than dropping the kids off alone, take a day to explore the swamp together.

A boardwalk and well-mulched path wind through the swamp itself. Though not entirely handicapped accessible, it is not an exhausting walk for even a small toddler. The shady cypress trees keep the path cool and the sunlight filtered. Walk as slowly as your kids will let you, and notice the animal footprints in the mud. How many can you identify?

My sons were thrilled by the masses of ferns growing along one particular hillside. I couldn't understand why all four were suddenly junior horticulturists, until they explained for me that dinosaurs must have grazed on plants just like those. We looked for dinosaurs, and weren't too disappointed to see deer, instead.

Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary is home to one of the northern-most stands of cypress trees in North America. It is a popular spot for birdwatchers and a great place to take a quick break from the hectic pace of modern life. It's also one of the few places in the area with nests of prothonotary warblers, a swamp bird, and four-inch-wide spotted turtles that are rarely seen outside the sanctuary.

"It's a pristine wetland environment; the watershed is relatively protected, as part of a 'green corridor' going through the middle of the county," says Andy Brown. "It's a great place to get off the beaten path, exhale, collect your thoughts and gear up for the next round."

After two circuits of the path, we headed back to the main building. The snake loft was due to open any minute, and my boys couldn't wait. Lloyd Hepburn, who runs the loft, was very helpful. The seven children in the loft that day asked question after question -sometimes the same question- and were answered with patience and thoroughness. Mr. Hepburn, Battle Creek's resident snake expert, treated the children with respect, and was happy to encourage their curiosity.

Downstairs, in the main museum area, we especially enjoyed stamping animal tracks and guessing their origins. Why are the animals' feet shaped the way they are? What can you tell from the tracks you find? The exhibits don't try too hard to teach and preach at you, but rather give you a chance to see what's there and learn on your own.

We watched the bees entering their hive, and had plenty of room for our own 'bee dances.' We sat before a large plate glass window to watch the birds, dragonflies and squirrels. But when my son spied a turtle sunning himself outside, back out we went.

While the boys searched for turtles and snails, I looked at the flowers. Planted to attract butterflies and birds, they drew my eye, as well.

Battle Creek Cypress Swamp is beautiful, relaxing and fun. The kids had a great time and so did I. We ran, laughed, and most of all talked to each other about the natural world. What started out as killing time became one of our favorite ways to connect with the land around us- and with each other.

Call 410-535-5327 for information or visit www.calvertparks.org.