I set off in my kayak to pick blueberries on an island I know is full of opportunities to do so, and was gone for almost 5 hours! This time, in trying not to be too late like last year, I was way too early for wild blueberries. I must have come home with 3/4 cup worth only. I must say though, that there was so much to see and enjoy, that I didn't mind coming home almost empty-handed.
I beached on the narrow stretch of dry land between lily ponds.
and proceeded to look for dusty-blue berries, but most were still green. I watched a heron watch me though, and I reveled in the Loon and Bald Eagle cries that punched through the persistent red-winged blackbird trills. A Barred Owl called as well - what a day!
The views from this natural narrow blind are amazing - I felt as if I owned everything I could see ...
except that, it seemed as if this spot was already 'taken.' I thought it might be moose ... so I found myself searching "what does moose poop look like?" and discovered that 'moose feces range from completely loose to a cow patty look to large, lumpy turds' (Alaska wildlife). So, I'm going with that - it wasn't full of berries and seeds, as I'd expect from bear scat; this was all green material inside, which I decided not to post (you'll thank me!).
I was pleased to come across this dainty little American Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) in flower - I find the leaf vein patterns quite beautiful.
I was sad to see a lot of litter left here by other human visitors - what a shame we leave such a trashy 'signature'. Next time, I'll be sure to bring a collecting bag to deal with the trash.
I'll have to get my timing right, though and go back there again before it's too late to harvest the fruit.
1 comment:
I hope you listened to pocahontas on the island: /the rainstorm and the river are my brothers/the heron and the otter are my freinds/and we are all connected to each other/ in a circle, in a hoop that never ends
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