Another adventure down to the creek with my son and his neighbor buddy, spring's in full swing - there's lots of new life down in the valley, and evidence of expired life. We came across this old skull with a grass plant growing out of it's nose with the root feeding into the ground out of the base of the skull - from the size and shape it's most likely from a raccoon, the rest of the skeleton had already been scavenged.
Dandelion
At the start of the hike down the valley we saw the first flower of spring - a dandelion down below. The roots are medicinal, the leaves are nutritious, the yellow flower could be used as a dye, but I've heard of dandelion flower jelly being made on homesteads.
Horse Tail
In the picture below is a living fossil - this plant is pre-historic. One of the oldest pollinating plants still alive, the spores release from the top, fern-like leaves eventually grow out of the nodules.
Abandoned Turkey egg
I can only assume this is a turkey egg, it was like that when we came across it near the beaver pond, it must have been abandoned or fell out mid flight, lol, I don't know if that happens. It's the same size as a chicken egg - despite it obvious what it was, I had to roll it over to make sure it wasn't some kind of puff mushroom, I've seen stranger things.
Classic log bridge crossing, no one fell in :)
There was a school of minnows under the log bridge.
While we were walking along the creek, a frog jumped in. He thought he was well hidden, not well enough.
 |  |
|---|
Water Lily
Frogs and lily pads are a classic combination - these Water Lily plants are just as happy when the creek is not flooded.
Watercress
Watercress is well named, it likes to grow right in water - it roots at the bottom of the creek and grows up to the surface for more sunlight.
Watercress is edible and very nutritious with a peppery flavor.
Mint
Mint loves the water too, it will root in the bottom of the creek, or on land. Mint has very strong roots that spread well, if you ever plant mint into a garden, be sure to keep it contained or it will start popping up everywhere you don't want it.
Trees
Classic wet land tipped over tree, the roots just couldn't get a solid enough grip - it's cedar leaves are still green and the branches still growing, life finds a way.
Another casualty of the wet lands - this tree rotted, then split, then got pecked into by wood peckers looking for insects or a home.
Another fun adventure down to the creek, these home school days are starting to blend together. The first photo was taken with a BLU Vivo XL4 Android Cell Phone, all other photos and video was taken with a Canon PowerShot SX620 HS camera.