Weekend field trip to Huntington Reservoir and River, the site where in 1988 a Mastodon elephant's body was found, intact, after 11,000 years in a bog. The reservoir was under construction when a backhoe operator dug up what at first looked like a log.
Upon further examination, it was determined to be bone and a paleontologist was called in. The mastodon body was so well preserved that it was possible to tell what he had last eaten (pine needles) his age (65, with a lot of arthritis) and lots of other details.
Question: Is it possible that more such bones are lurking under the wildflowers in the hills?
Question: Wouldn't it be amazing to start digging a cabin foundation and come across another mastodon?
The area had flooded three days earlier and mushrooms were everywhere!
Question: Is this mushroom safe to eat?
Question: What does it look like underneath the cap?
The last of the season's flowers were going to seed.
Question: What is this thing?
The pine beetle has been in the area.
Question: Can that clump on the skeletal tree remains still stay alive if it is parasitic like holly?
Question: So, like...do the mushrooms completely open underground and then push up through the moss?
Question: Could I eat these mushrooms?
We hiked up a trail aside the river. You can see the sedimentary layers that formed over time. See the tiny thin layers towards the top?
Question: If the great sea that went from Arizona up to Idaho was formed during the Biblical flood, then why were there layers formed?
I liked the little peek-a-boo window beneath this boulder.
Question: When did this boulder fall into the river?
Question: How long will it take for the river to knock the rock off its perch?
The thistles were starting to bloom.
Question: How can something be so prickly and yet have such soft flowers?
The field asters were blooming nicely too.
Question: Why were some asters pale lavender while others were deep purple?
More mushrooms. I had no idea that their stems were bright yellow until I pushed a couple over.
Question: Can I eat THESE mushrooms?