I don’t know why they call this Duck Creek. A duck would have to be a fool to go that far back into the woods.
As for moderate, that’s if you stay on the trail. I don’t know how to stay on trails.
Was going to make this a long post with pictures from last week and today to compare and contrast, but that would take too long and I’m tired.
Last week I stood on a high ridge overlooking a pretty little spring creek. Toyed with the idea of going down to the creek, but the woods were still filled with snow and I didn’t relish sliding down the hill on my ass.
This week I took a different route in.
Same high bluff, different location, all the snow for as far as could be seen was gone.
I thought it would be a good idea to follow a deer path down to the bottom.
Deer always take the path of least resistance.
Half way down the hill there were deer skid marks. I had a flash of wishing I had gone down the hill last week. Snow, mud, I’ll take snow.
Luckily there were strategically placed saplings all the way down the hill. I assume I looked like George of the Jungle swinging my way down. Gravity didn’t win this one and I made it to the bottom still standing.
Was worth the trip.
When I got to the bottomlands I began to see things poking their way out of the ground. Green things, but they were mostly a beautiful deep burgundy. They were everywhere, skunk cabbage.
I then remembered where I normally see skunk cabbage. Bottomlands, wetlands, flood plain, call it what you will, but it’s a swamp.
I did my best to tip toe around all the emerging skunk cabbage so I wouldn’t crush any of them. Try tip toeing through a muddy swamp. It doesn’t go well when from your toe to past your ankles you’re stuck in mud.
Walking in the spring creek took care of that.
Got to the mouth of the creek where it enters the river. Turned to head out and there it was, the high bluff I stood on the previous week to survey where I now stood.
I decided to skip following the deer paths and blaze my own trail up the slope.
Jim McClellan
15 Mar 2015Following the deer works best if you happen to have four hooves! Beautiful pictures. Can you eat skunk cabbage? Or is there a context clue in the name?
Ken G
16 Mar 2015Following the deer works best if you’re only 4 feet tall too Jim. It hurts to walk bent over like that to get under some of the brush they walk through.
Supposedly it smells like skunk, but I’ve never noticed. Never tried it either in case the smell lingers like a skunks. Of course now that you brought it up I’ll have to find out. Did look up if it’s edible. I think if you’re starving it’s worth it, it won’t kill you. Rubbing it on ring worms is supposed to be good. I hope to never find out.
Richard Velders
16 Mar 2015Love seeing the most early blossoms at Hoover and Jay woods. Soon to fly fish!! Dick
Ken G
16 Mar 2015Checked out all the creeks out your way over the weekend Dick. They’re stained perfectly, but all a little high to be walking around in. Plus, still some ice on the edges in places. I’m not convinced the fish are in there yet, even the first of the stragglers. I think the first venture with the fly rod will be Blackberry. More room till I get the kinks out of my cast.
Jay Woods has one of the biggest patches of skunk cabbage. Other side of creek from the look out, to the right. Now Jim has me curious about the odor. I’ll be burying my nose in one I’m sure.
walt
16 Mar 2015So when we blaze our own trails we find the stuff that really matters, like skunk cabbage in late winter, like hope in a hopeless world. I’m looking forward to rediscovering skunk cabbage soon, any day now as the snow melts rapidly. Those photos look good!
Ken G
16 Mar 2015That deep red is hard to miss Walt. Other than that, not much going on. That should all start to change pretty fast this week.
Mary Anne from Alaska on My Mind
17 Mar 2015Love the visual image of swinging (sliding) down the hill from tree to tree! That picture of the skunk cabbage is beautiful! I didn’t know it looked like that. When does it smell strongest? Fall? (I’m assuming that’s how it gets its name?)
Ken G
17 Mar 2015I have no doubt I looked quite comical Mary Anne. My graceful days ended a long time ago.
Within the month the skunk cabbage will get pretty big, couple of feet tall, beautiful big leaves. I’ve never had the nerve to put my nose in them to find out how strong the smell is, but now that everyone is bringing it up I have no choice. It’s like saying… what will happen if we push that button? Of course I’m going to push that button.
Mary Anne from Alaska on My Mind
17 Mar 2015And I’d love to hear your verdict!