Shakamak State Park...

Candace, Riaan and I visited beautiful Shakamak State Park on Wednesday, 11th May. This is the closest state park to where we live, and it was my first time visiting this peaceful location. We parked the car near the children's play area and went for a lovely hike. We walked along the edge of Lake Shakamak, through an oak forest and pine plantations, and passed an old abandoned coal mine. We saw lots of wildlife and nature and I was particularly pleased to spot my first pileated woodpecker, one of the largest woodpeckers in America! Here are some photos from our lovely adventure.

 Pretty red caboose in nearby Jasonville.

 Entrance to Shakamak State Park.

 It felt like we had the whole park to ourselves.

 Candace and Riaan hiking along the shoreline of Lake Shakamak.

 View over the water.

 Walking through pretty wooded areas and small creeks.

 Family selfie in the forest.

 Gnarled old tree.

 Interesting shape of this tree trunk.

 Pileated woodpecker!

 The abandoned coal mine.

 Love forest scenery!

 View over Lake Shakamak.

 Scarlet tanager.

 Northern banded water snake.

 The snake swimming away.

 Small skink.

 Crossing the walkway over the lake.

What a great day at Shakamak!