Creekin'

The wagon train (last time in service=1976) left the field station south for Darby Creek this morning loaded with all the necessary supplies for an outing on the creek.  Our nephew is visiting us for the weekend; his first time a distance away from home, and we wanted to do something that would be fun for him that we could also tolerate (being the socialites that we are).  We traversed an entire mile of the jungle like prairie trail filled with poison ivy, nettles, and snakes to the the edge of the lower Darby - 35 miles north of the Scioto River. We found a tadpole, a frog, toads, 12 species of fish (including a gar), 3 species of freshwater mussels and lots of dragonflies and darners (all of which were released back into the wild unharmed after viewing and discussing). Both Daisy and James came home wet, muddy, and full of burrs and a good time was had by all.  

Off to the creek

The prairie trail.

James caught a toad.

 

Andrew and Mac use a seine to capture creek critters.

 

Mr. Crayfish-my what big pinchers you have.

 

Holding a freshwater mussel.

 

Darters, sunfish and gar - oh my!

Daisy taking a dip. She loves the water!

Soggy doggy