An afternoon on carp creek

Today we did a lab exercise out on carp creek. Beaver foraging preference, tree species composition, and forest succession. Marshy, wet drainage leading down to the still sandy bottom of a creek. Measuring endless DBH, short for diameter at breast height. Or simply how wide across a tree is. Marsh marigolds and skeleton spires of dead fir trees waterlogged and forlorn. Dense hemlock groves and bracken fern carpeting the forest floor.

We had a lot of fun and at this point we've gotten everyone to open up. Learned their secrets, and them trying so hard to learn ours. Joking and laughing all around. I love this group, one of the best I've ever had. Solid.

On the way back walking the trail I spotted this jewel poking up through the leaf litter. A pink ladys slipper, also called the Moccasin flower. A wild orchid of late spring in the north woods. Beautiful and worth a blip in its own right. I like how the bright green and pink contrast with the dead brown leaves of yesteryear.