Bastrop State Park, Bastrop, TX

Bastrop SP was about a 45 minute drive from where we are east of Austin.  This park suffered a fire in Sep. of 2011 which consumed about 96 percent of the park.  We were unsure of what the trails would be like but were assured they were open.

One of the cool things about this forest now is that, because of the dead trees, several different kinds of woodpeckers have been moving into the area!  We thought they might be easier to spot with no leaves in the way and were right. However, they are very people shy and I was very lucky to get a few pics of two kinds, the Hairy Woodpecker and the Red Bellied Woodpecker.

The pics below though, obviously of a burned forest, go to show just how fast Mother Nature can begin recovery and how pretty it can look along the way!

So sad, but look at all the new growth:

 ....and flowers!  Isn't this fall??

 Could only get the back of this Hairy Woodpecker.....

 We had quite the obstacle course with all the fallen trees on the trail.......

A Red Bellied Woodpecker

another Red Bellied

Never expected to see a Cardinal!

I found the fungus growing on all the dead wood quite fascinating!  Looks really cool!