June 15, 2013 Landsford Canal State Park: Eagles, Mimosa and Lilies

Landsford Canal is on old highway 21 between Rock Hill and Lancaster (you can get there from I-77).  21 is the old route my parents drove when we were children on weekly visits to my mother's parents at their farm beyond Lancaster.  All along the way, mimosa in full bloom grace the roadside, extending their pink to red blossoms from the rich- with -summer woods.  The air is full of their fragrance. Near them are the elderberry with heavy saucer shaped white flowers, some the size of frisbees.

The mimosa has a bad rap as it is considered a "trash plant" and invasive species. It was imported from China in the 1700's and inhabits the woods of the South.  Many people just associate it with the drink, the mimosa, which is made of one part orange juice and one part champagne and is quite delicious.  I love the mimosa, however, and it is much more than that. It was called, the silk tree, He Huan,  in China and valued for the medicinal qualities of  the essence of it's flowers and bark.  It is said to lift mood with its spirit calming properties, especially for those suffering a heartbreaking loss. (It is contraindicated during pregnancy.)

I was met at the park by my cousins, Jane and Ester, who had never seen the rare Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies.  Ranger Oneppo was in the midst of turning a canoer back due to the very high water.  He told us that the lilies are this year only sprouted in bunches, instead of the usual blanket of flowers rising from the wide and rocky river.  This was because of the very heavy rains all spring and the depth of the water. We walked the three quarter mile trail down river to the viewing station to see the still awesome sight of the lilies in bloom.

We hoped to see the bald eagles who have a nest just off the trail to the viewing station, but today they were nowhere in sight.  The ranger said they nest their eggs in late March. They hatch after 35 days. This year they had one eagle chick who has now left the nest.  At this time of year you are most likely to see an eagle soaring in the air down the river.

I hope to see the eagles next year.  The eagle, the symbol of the zenith, the spirit of the sun.