A ‘great find’ — at Meeman-Shelby Forest, discover rare plants, turkeys and tranquility
David Irving kayaks with his daughter, Vera, on Poplar Tree Lake in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park Aug. 2, 2025. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
It’s Saturday evening in late July, and visitors have gathered at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park to enjoy a little night music.
The group’s guide, Orion Overstreet, is a music composition major at the University of Memphis who pleaded with park administrators to allow her to become a seasonal interpretive park ranger because she believes Meeman-Shelby “is truly the most beautiful place on Earth.”
As dusk approaches, the group strolls toward the marsh, and the air comes alive with song. There are frogs and cicadas, katydids and birds — the whirring and buzzing is almost deafening. Two barred owls join in the chorus, completing the symphony.
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