Creek week....

turtle

Explorer
Feb 4, 2009
653
214
a village...in the pines
This has been a fantastic week on the water. By blessing and chance I had the rare opportunity to spend time on 2 rivers and 4 creeks. Inspiration came by way of plant discussions all over this site and chance came unexpectedly all week long as I continually found myself with free time....(this never happens)

The Forks at sunset....

101_1441.JPG


old hunting shack out by Motts Creek

101_1694_2_.JPG


white fringed orchid AND sickle leaf golden aster....in one day!

white_fringed_orchid.JPG


picture.php


lovely meadowsweet on the Batsto tonight....

picture.php


and an almost full moon rising.....

08_09_moon_over_Batsto_River.JPG


quiet cedars......

cool_cedar_2_2_.JPG


and quiet creeks.....

Bull_Creek.JPG


As scenic as the week was with osprey families sharing dinner, muddy muskrat dens, ancient pilings that indicate landings from roads long gone, and a host of other fascinations....I am still left needing to identify the following flora and fauna....any help is always greatly appreciated!

On the Batsto tonight I saw meadow beauties, but don't know what the red, upside down bell shaped specimens are....

picture.php


Why was this bird following us along the shore of the Mullica at Hermann?

wading_bird_off_course_at_Herman.JPG


This plant on Bull Creek has me stymied.....definately parsley/hemlock related. Flowers just forming (like parsley), very narrow leaflets clasping the stem, but not seemingly toothed....? ? ?

picture.php


Wild bean/ground pea growing on a small stump in the middle of Bull Creek

picture.php


and this little fella to keep us company on Thurs.....birds are comically curious and entertaining.....

picture.php


I don't know when this opportunity will present itself again, but it's been fun to share it with you.

turtle
 

bobpbx

Piney
Staff member
Oct 25, 2002
14,661
4,839
Pines; Bamber area
Very nice photos. Clear, colorful, and crisp.

Those red bell things are the seed pods for the meadow beauty! Those are more advanced than the flowers.

I think you are right on the hemlock.
 

Teegate

Administrator
Site Administrator
Sep 17, 2002
25,951
8,695
Great photo's! The hunting shack and the adjacent facility is my favorite. Nice.

Guy
 

turtle

Explorer
Feb 4, 2009
653
214
a village...in the pines
I admire folks such as yourself who have the quick reference knowledge for the plant community. Your thread with oji and your travels with Guy along with my friends who enjoy paddling reminded me how much fun one can have in just a few hours time. There is a creek for every tide. I am sure that returning my attention back to this hobby will prove rewarding and entertaining.....I'll be sure to keep my eyes open for the odd and unusual. (this does not include field and/or forum companions!) :rofl:

turtle
 

oji

Piney
Jan 25, 2008
2,126
548
63
Browns Mills
Turtle, It looks like you have a great way to miss the ticks and briars! I just started checking out the plants this spring and with the help of the people on this site it's turning into a very interesting pasttime. I usually stop on the way home from work for about an hour and a half and wander around in the woods. It helps me wind down from the work day and provides some exercise. Next spring I want to get down to Webbs Mill on some weekend trips.
 

LARGO

Piney
Sep 7, 2005
1,553
134
54
Pestletown
Now That's gettin' out!
Great share of your outings. Hands down kid, the shack photo takes it for me. The odd and the unusual, guess I need to keep out of the woods, lest I be spotted.

g.
 
Apr 6, 2004
3,620
564
Galloway
woodjin said:
Gabe, rivers are bigger.

So what do we have at the Forks of the Mullica? Two creeks (Batsto and Atsion) conjoining to form a river? Or are they two small rivers conjoining to form a larger river? :colbert:
 

turtle

Explorer
Feb 4, 2009
653
214
a village...in the pines
toitle,
What is the difference between a creek and a river?

My readings indicate that rivers flow into larger rivers, bays, oceans....."criks" flow into rivers or larger streams. My belief is that the name lies in the ultimate destination.....
However, you are right on with the Batsto/Atsion thing. Perhaps scientifically there is no clear-cut defintion to separate the two. I'll defer to hydrology experts to worry about that! As long as me and my paddle have a place to play they can call it a puddle. :) By the way, we just missed you and Budd last week by a few hours. I loved your trip report.

turtle
 

piker56

Explorer
Jan 13, 2006
641
53
68
Winslow
When I was young, my little kid's definition of a crick was a small tidal stream. We fished Little and Big Timber Cricks. A river was a really big crick. Now I canoe and fish the Batsto and Oswego "Rivers" which are about 20 feet wide or so, and a crick is about the sound that my knees and hips make. The pictures were great, especially the first 2 (the sunset and the hunting shack).
Thanks,
Greg
 

glowordz

Explorer
Jan 19, 2009
585
8
SC
www.gloriarepp.com
A great collection, Turtle. Gotta love that "quiet cedars" for its disheveled beauty. And your companion birds! Great to hear that you're going again. I've enjoyed this.

Glo
 

Chrisr

Explorer
Sep 14, 2008
295
2
Cinnaminson, NJ
Outstanding pics and report there, Turtle!! Love the pic of the hunting shack. Almost looks as if someone is standing in the doorway.
 
Top