A Winter Wander, Some Wild Plants, & A Snack In The Woods

[Mistwalker]

Finally got out for a little wander through the woods. Not a lot of typing this time...mostly just pictures.

On my way in I spotted some Mullein on the side of the road and decided to harvest a couple of stalks for further experiments. It was here that I remembered I had both sets of hex keys in the truck and went ahead and changed out the handle screws.

There was a large deer bed back behind the area where I found the Mullein.

Then I drove on out to where I was headed. I walked around a little stagnant pond for a few.

Still wondering what this is...there were several.

Some big trees around the pond.

end part 1

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[Mistwalker]

Some fungi growing on one of the trees in the water.

Open seed pods from an Empress tree on the edge of the tree line as I headed through a field.

In the field I noticed a lot of this growth on the briers, and found a little birds nest really close to the ground.

leaving the field and crossing an old dirt road I saw several sets of tracks.

end part 2

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[Swoopmaster]

Nice photos Mistwalker, I especially like the one of the Water Strider on the leaf. The jelly-like masses with little dots in them look like frog eggs to me. Looks like you had a great time in the woods, thanks for sharing.

 

[Mistwalker]

Found more Datura

and another nightshade that I have yet to positively identify looks a lot like Solanum pyracanthum but has different shaped leaves. I still wouldn't eat it.

I'm pretty sure this is what the above plant looked like green, it is common here and I took this shot not far away from this spot back in the summer.

and these are the best pics of Solanum Pyracanthum I have found so far.

Walking along the road I found some beetles when I pried off a piece of bark.

A squirrel's dining room.

end part 3

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[Mistwalker]

I also found some nice wild onions at the side of the field and headed into the woods for a snack and some quiet time. The ESEE-4 makes a decent improvised fork in time of need...

I liked the idea of using it better than my other option...

other than a flashlight, a firesteel, a compass, and a water bottle these were my only tools on the hike.

Hope you enjoyed the post, I sure enjoyed the peace and quiet!!


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[Mistwalker]

Nice photos Mistwalker, I especially like the one of the Water Strider on the leaf. The jelly-like masses with little dots in them look like frog eggs to me. Looks like you had a great time in the woods, thanks for sharing.

Thanks, I wondered if they might be frog eggs just thinking about it logically...but I'm not a biology major and hadn't looked it up yet.

 

[TheGame]

Oh boy.. bugs.. one thing I am not looking forward too. Last night we got a good dose of Freezing rain, a big branch fell on the carport at my sisters house. One of those times I would really have rather had rain or snow, not ice.

Anyway, thanks for sharing the pics bro :thumbup:

 

[DOC-CANADA]

...and another nightshade that I have yet to positively identify looks a lot like Solanum pyracanthum but has different shaped leaves. I still wouldn't eat it.

I'm pretty sure this is what the above plant looked like green, it is common here and I took this shot not far away from this spot back in the summer.

While I am reluctant to try and identify plants out of my area (and some that are in it ), I'm thinking Solanum carolinense (Horse Nettle)?

Great pictures, Mistwalker, you truly have a photographer's eyes.

Doc

 

[Menace]

now I gotta ask what you're eating...oysters? sardines?

 

[tonym]

Plants!! I forgot what they looked like. Hopefully things will thaw out over here by April..

Thanks for the pics Mist!

 

[_woo_]

now I gotta ask what you're eating...oysters? sardines?

I was wondering the same?


Nice pics and looks like a fun trip.

 

[kycolonel]

Cool pics! Thanks for posting.

 

[spyderHS08]

Nice photos! Looks like a good relaxing day of just doing whatever and havin yourself a good time!

Thanks for sharing

 

[fivefold]

I was wondering the same?


Nice pics and looks like a fun trip.

DItto here.

 

[Gevonovich]

Excellent photos!! I say Frogs Eggs

 

[hiwa]

Mist I sure wish I could go bush with you. You sure know your plants and stuff.
Glad you see you replaced your 4. It's a great bush companion and I know it's one of your favorites too.No matter what steel I take in the woods , the 4 is my main blade.
My son is 8 and a very picky eater but he can devour a whole can of oysters just like us big boys:thumbup:

Add: Bought a couple of the Eat'N tools today , checked your old thread out , and you were eating oysters there also !!
Gourmet that fits in your pocket !

 

[TTT]

Great photos and them smoked oysters look good with the onions.

 

[sicily02]

Awesome pics, Brian.

Bryan

 

[Tim the Slugman]

I love smoked oysters. I just whittle a small stick for a fork !!! That ESEE 4 looks good !!!!

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

Great pics Mist! Ewww are those snails you're eating? Also isn't datura a hallucinogen? Wow nightshade, Mullein... Looks like a shaman's trip to the market!