Natural Resources

Yet another series of pictures from a walk. Fall has transitioned quickly and few trees still have leaves on them. There's quite the array of fungus among us. The mushrooms on this tree lined up its side like fairy steps for gentle and light feet to climb to the top. Several of the willow trees looked like this in the bottom of an old washed out pond that used to be the favorite fishing hole for people to sneak onto. The progress of bringing giant power line towers across the property relocated banks and the pond has been empty for years now. But the willow trees are still there telling of a time when the water never left and very large bass and catfish grew for generations. The pond is still on the old county maps though.

The old pear tree is fully loaded (but no cows to clean up the bounty) but it strategically places to get little or no water in the summer making the pears too small and bitter to do anything with. Maybe next year a water system can be thought up.

The turtle shell was in a gully making its way to the mossy pond. I'm getting quite a collection of those, some very large but most are average. I have been crafty enough in the past to make rattles out of some like the Native Americans did, but mine seem to lack something. Maybe too small amount of Cherokee in my blood. But there is some so I can proudly brag.

The cardinals are migrating back slowly, their bright red feathers replacing the red leaves that were so short lived. The intense color stands out brilliantly against the now bare trees. A Canadian Snow goose was back at the pond. A pair and their offspring come back every year so hopefully they made it through last year alright. Last week I saw 4 mallards on one pond, the 4 domesticated ducks on the other pond, and a grey heron hanging out also. The domesticated ducks are completely intimidated by the heron, going into a quacking flurry every time it gracefully goes into flight. But the heron seems completely unperturbed by anything except me when I try to get close enough for a picture.

I wish I knew if the mushrooms were edible. Only a seasoned local would know for sure and i'm not sure that I would trust my liver to an old timer with bad eyes or early onset of Alzheimers to take a chance. But a fresh pan of saute'd mushrooms would be very nice..

Well, off to work (again). Next week is the trip to see Cassie graduate and I've managed to take a whole week off. A little time off before and some recouperation time after the trip will be nice. It should be a nice week.

Have a wonderful day!