A picture of the Oconee River taken on Feb. 19, 2023. The Oconee River is 220 miles long and runs right through Athens. Photo taken by: William Daughtry

LEFT: A barn on a hiking trail near Lake Herrick in Athens, Georgia taken on Feb. 19, 2023. Lake Herrick is home to vast amounts of biological research for the University of Georgia. Photo taken by: William Daughtry

RIGHT: A photo of the rushing Oconee River taken on Feb. 19, 2023. The Oconee River leads into the Altamaha River and runs right through Athens, Georgia. Photo taken by: William Daughtry

Three turtles making their home on a rock in the Oconee River in Athens, Georgia on Feb. 19, 2023. The Oconee River is a hotbed for wildlife, with these turtles being no exception. Photo taken by: William Daughtry

LEFT: A fallen tree in the Oconee Forest Park surrounded by ivy-ridden trees. Photo taken in Athens, Georgia on Feb. 19, 2023. Photo taken by: William Daughtry

RIGHT: A bird finds its home on a power line near Lake Herrick. Photo taken in Athens, Georgia on Feb. 19, 2023. Photo taken by: William Daughtry

LEFT: A deer sculpture dubbed "The Vigil" in Lake Herrick. Former UGA students Sam Weaver and Ryan Woods made it out of recycled parts for their construction in metal class. Photo taken by: William Daughtry

RIGHT: UGA student Jacob Mitchell stares inquisitively at a bird house constructed in the Oconee Forest Park. Photo taken in Athens, Georgia on Feb. 19, 2023.

LEFT: A courtesy photo by All Things Athens of the Oconee River Greenway. The trail opened in 2008 and includes bike trails and fishing spots. 

RIGHT: A courtesy photo by Visit Athens. It is a photo of the Tree That Owns Itself, which is a white oak that, according to legend, has legal ownership of itself. It is settled on the corner of South Finley and Dearing Street in Athens, Georgia.