Winter Walks

I live in a very historic town. One of the interesting aspects about the town is that it was established right along the Wabash River. Of course the Native People lived here first. One of the unusual and interesting sites around are the Mounds.

There are two Mounds that were once used by the Native People. They haven't been completely explored but they have been brought to the fore lately. One of the Mounds was cut in two by a highway coming through years ago and this is where a friend of mine and I decided to hike this week.

She is doing a study of the plants growing on and around this Mound. There is an old sign on top of the Mound declaring it a property of the Knox Co Parks Dept. No one does anything to the Mound now days but they are thinking about it so the study is being done.

I always learn something when I go out with my friend. She knows more about plants than I will ever learn. One thing that was brought to my attention while we were out was the seed pods of the Bundleflower Desmanthus illinoesis.  It is a weed by any other name but I found the seed pods most intriguing. It is hard but it looks soft like the petals of an open rose. 

The petal peel off and the seeds drop out to spread about. This is growing in sandy soil. No doubt it would take over if it were planted in half decent soil. I am tempted. The blooms aren't much to look at but it is in the mimosa family and it has those tropical looking leaves. 

I hope you get to get out this weekend and hike around. Be sure to share what you have found.

Animal Wednesday - Common Redpoll

This crazy weather has driven another unusual bird into our territory. A friend wrote to tell that he had a Common Redpoll coming to his thistle feeders along with the Goldfinches. This is highly unusual to have this bird so far South despite it's name being Common Redpoll. It is most uncommon around here.

It was such fun going over to our friends house and sitting in the truck watching for the little finch to come in. We had to wait an hour but it was a nice sunny day so we kept warm despite the wind and cold temps as the sun kept the truck cab toasty.

Happy Animal Wednesday.

Valentines Day

I went to a Victorian Tea this past weekend with friends. It was sponsored by the local Library. They had a young lady, Robin Smith, from IU come to sing for entertainment. Robin did a great job. She gave a little history about every song. The tea was good, the eats were delicious, wonderful company.

This is the page I did. We received a single rose wrapped in music and pink cellophane. I drew the rose and pasted bits of the cellophane over the page.

Happy Valentines Day to everyone.

Hooded Crane

There has been great excitement in my neck of the woods in the birding world. The Hooded Crane that was first seen in Nebraska, then in Tennessee is now at Bee Hunter Marsh which is part of the Goose Pond Wildlife Area near where I live.

I can't tell you how rare and exciting this is...if it is true. True enough that we have seen it. It is here. The provenence of it's origin is the issue. Is it an escapee from a zoo or a private collection?  It has no tags, bands etc that are visible. It has been debated and investigated adnausium. No one can prove it was an escapee.  I am just thrilled to have seen this beautiful creature in the wild. I think it is a great wanderer.

I have some reeallllly bad photos of it. You can go here to see a decent picture of it when it was in TN. I am sure that someone with great camera gear will take a photo of it here this weekend, if it stays. There have already been people from surrounding states coming to see it.

I hope you have an exciting weekend too.