Vernal Pond Jaunt (photo essay)

We went for a little jaunt today. Miss Jocelyn wanted to play at the playground, but I wanted to hike, so we compromised and found a spot that could accommodate both of us!

The color in this photograph seems strange, I know, but it was hot today and the sun was sinking lower, and it was hazy...

We found a nearby area which, for me, as a child, was an unaccessible area;  I remember each year tiny toads would come leaping from the wooded area behind this place.  As people have become more aware of protecting wetlands, it appears they have created trails and bridges for exploration and learning!  Nobody has seen or ever knew of the baby toads coming out of the forest here, but I recall them quite vividly.

I decided to head into the newly preserved area to see what I always wished I could!

This is a "vernal" pond, and as you can see by the end of the summer it is fairly dried out although you can see evidence of the old water level by those heavenly roots!

Vernal ponds are ponds that are breeding grounds to many species of frogs, salamanders, and various species that can only breed in THEM!  Vernal ponds are very important as the species that come to exist here are those that will not always require water to live in!   

Of course, where water sits, the soil is damp and it is not uncommon to see these uprooted trees which grow large enough to get so heavy that something, either high winds or just the weight of the tree itself, will cause many of these trees to uproot.  Actually, this was THREE trees:  one large tree and two younger trees that all went down together!

I always wonder what the catalyst was when I see a tree down like this, unless it is obvious that it was caused by lightening!

Nothing is wasted in Mother's world!  Everything serves some higher purpose, and as soon as this tree was felled (along with it's two comrades) you can bet that nature began taking her course and using it!

In this case, I saw Carpenter Ants with a nice pile of sawdust below the tree on the ground!  Yikes!  I nearly sat on them!

I continued along the tiny path and discovered a lovely walkway which rises above the vernal levels earlier in the season.

I have not researched her.  Here was an arachnid guarding it's live young!  She must have been 2.5 inches wide--she was very large.  I was not frightened;  it did not appear she would leave her babies to do me any harm!

If you know what type she is, let me know!  I have a funny feeling this is a common garden spider.

Her babies were more skittish than she was.  I wondered, if she moved and created a vibration, would that have disturbed them and sent them off before being ready?  I don't know enough about arachnids, but that was my instinct, for she didn't move even a millimeter!

Here was a tiny gem!  As you may or may not know I "don't know my mushrooms".  I nearly bought a book on Friday but decided against it.  I have SO many books.  I wish I HAD bought it!

I have recently read on some far-out site about fungi and phosphorescent phemomena.  Fungi is responsible for that luminescent glow some of us might see in marshes or in old forests.  My recent research has me tempted to head out here at night!  I recently saw a red fox nearby, and I don't know how they behave toward man (or woman) so I must be cautious and aware if I should choose to go at night.  I might also want to get more mosquito spray!

ANOTHER little gem, and even better, it was nestled in a lovely bed of moss.  *GASP*  I was so excited!  Usually when you start seeing mushrooms it is a very good indication that rain is on it's way, but I don't see any signs of rain here.  I think this is just a lovely wetland that is host to some lovely fungi!

This lump of mushrooms I thought were potatoes!  It didn't make sense!  When you see things as openly as I do,  everything seems to surprise you.  At first I could not believe this potato was in the middle of the woods, and then I could not believe it was a mushroom!  Silly me!

I would say this was a nicely balanced jaunt!

Pardon the length of this one, I just get so excited when I head out for this purpose--that is to indulge my spirit! I just want to share it!