It was not long between outings. And this outing was in a place that Claire and I called Frog Knob. Why? Because it used to have a dirt knob that looked like a frog. The “frog” has long eroded away 🙁
It had been awhile since I had been to Frog Knob so I was not surprised to see the changes that had taken place. Thanks Reese (District Staff Officer for Range, Wildlife and Ecosystem Planning) for joining us for part of the morning! Reese told us about the hydrology, the Forest Services plans and how they deal with erosion. Indeed it is great to have caring people looking out for our grasslands. A big thank you to all of the grasslands staff.
This knob could be where the “frog” had lived, but I do not know that for sure.
The ravine had attracted Claire and I long ago. Of course then we did not know if there would be running water below.
We descended to the bottom! A view to the top and side.
Bushy Bluestem greeted us as we neared the creek!
At the water edge!
It had been more than ten years since I had been down here. Truly, it was a delight to find Maidenhair Fern at the edge!
Shelf fungus on a fallen tree!
A closer view! I have just read about a lichen that grows on shelf fungus so my eyes are on alert for it now. Only insect holes were evident on these.
The horsetail must have been there first. Then the shelf fungus just grew around it and closed back together.
So the change between the horsetail and edge of the fungus is the basis of my hypothesis.
Have you been looking at the sunrises and sunsets? They really have been purty!
Finally, I thought I would pass on a book that I just finished today. The title is “Gathering Moss, A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses” by Robin Wall Kimmerer…excellent read for mosses.
Keep looking!
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know.
7 Comments
Ravines beckon dont they? Always something down there worth the effort.
Your Bushy Bluestem photo is stunning! And the shelf fungi growing around the horsetail is fascinating.
I may fall behind again reading posts for the next 5 days but for a good reason. My son, daughter-in-law and baby grandson arrive tomorrow and my dad on Wednesday, then we’ll have Christmas finally. I’ve been busy making roasted pecans, mint cocoa mix and chili. Have a list of cookies and candies I want to make but weather and time may not allow. Some of them don’t do well when it is humid and the gulf air has made us foggy and moist the last 2 days, and never dries out. Although we haven’t had a decent rain in a couple months and are dry as a bone, the dew is heavy and leaves surfaces wet each night and morning. Good for seeing spider webs!
Kathy, Thank you! Oh how wonderful to visit with family and the new grandson. We are bone dry too. The fog and dew are here too. And I agree, spider webs are easier to see with the dew. Enjoy your family time!!!
Ravines beckon dont they? Always something down there worth the effort.
Always! 🙂
Magical post
🙂
Your Bushy Bluestem photo is stunning! And the shelf fungi growing around the horsetail is fascinating.
I may fall behind again reading posts for the next 5 days but for a good reason. My son, daughter-in-law and baby grandson arrive tomorrow and my dad on Wednesday, then we’ll have Christmas finally. I’ve been busy making roasted pecans, mint cocoa mix and chili. Have a list of cookies and candies I want to make but weather and time may not allow. Some of them don’t do well when it is humid and the gulf air has made us foggy and moist the last 2 days, and never dries out. Although we haven’t had a decent rain in a couple months and are dry as a bone, the dew is heavy and leaves surfaces wet each night and morning. Good for seeing spider webs!
Kathy, Thank you! Oh how wonderful to visit with family and the new grandson. We are bone dry too. The fog and dew are here too. And I agree, spider webs are easier to see with the dew. Enjoy your family time!!!
Ah! One of my favorite places!!! It still looks beautiful.