Good Morning, Quilters
Even though I don’t do it enough, nothing makes me happier, or brings me more peace, than a quiet walk in the woods.
Not a fast, cardio walk. I mean a slow stroll with my camera.
As I walk, I “collect” a few things…(I don’t bring them home with me…just observe and photograph.)
I always look for and photograph feathers, mushrooms, seeds, birds, bird nests, animal foot prints and anything else that catches my attention.
Then I come home and see if I can identify it. Please help us identify these things we found!!!
MY BACKYARD
I live on a wooded lot, so there’s a lot to find right here at home!
I’ve “collected” birds nests, oak trees, a hardwood cherry tree, tons of box elders -(trees and bugs), buckthorn galore and several mushrooms:
LAKE ELMO PARK RESERVE
Recently, my daughter Deirdre and I went for a walk in our county park.
We “collected” more bird nests, three bluejays, a red-bellied woodpecker and came across several trees with huge outgrowths. After a little research, we learned about burls and galls... I had no idea these are highly prized by woodworkers!!!
We also came across a few animal prints….
Deer prints…
HELP US!!!!
But WHAT DO YOU THINK this is?
It was a little larger than my fist–
DEIRDRE’S SENSE OF HUMOR
Very funny, Deirdre….She couldn’t resist sharing with her sisters!
(Trust me…I’ll get even!)
AWAY FROM “THE GRID” (Right, Arvilla?)
Though the Minnesota weather is getting colder, I am going to make an effort to go for more strolls and be more observant of the natural world around me!
What about YOU?
Can YOU help identify the large animal print?
What about the mushrooms?
Do YOU enjoy a nature stroll?
Do YOU “collect” anything when you go for a hike?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Your budding naturalist,
Lori-duboun
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
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30 comments
Patty Adams
I think the larger dirt print might be badger, as they have about 1″ nails and have 3 longer ones in the center. I also think there is a second print on top of the first. The nest looks like it has a squirrel peeking out of it. In Texas, we call the second picture Turkey Tail Lichen. I don’t know about the gall on the tree, but galls on limbs and leaves are usually caused by insects laying their eggs. I agree with the suggestion of a deer print. Thank you for reviewing nature, I haven’t been very close to it for several years — now I know I need to be more observant — I enjoy it!
swakins
Wildlife in my area means squirrels and cardinals, woods are at least a car drive away for me. Color me jealous!
Barbara J Day
New to your bog, really enjoy the pics. Doodling is wonderful idea. I hadn’t thought about doodling in years. What a way to relax & help quilting. I am new to quilting, but enjoy the learning. Thanks for the inspiration.
Robin Klein
Hi, thanks for sharing those pics, made me feel like I was there. The first pic may be coyote, the second one I believe is a raccoon. Question about the burps and burrs. Are they in the fungus family? Are they harmful to the tree? Or are they like a mole on your face. It’s just a growth that came when it was “born”. Can woodworkers remove them with damaging the tree?
Thanks again. Robin
quiltyladyrr@gmail.com
Beth-IHaveaNotion.com
Not Cat, big or small, wrong pad shape. Not Bear again wrong shape and nails too short and they don’t plant rear step on top of front print when walking. Best Bet is canine, probably coyote, adult. They have a more oval shape than wolf and dogs have much wider less refined shape. Based on the nail definition… I’d say it was trotting along. Have fun with the game!
Rosemaryflower
beautiful photos, Lori
Yesterday I went for a walk in the local park of our neighborhood, up the street and rightinto the woods. I took 3 year old Sarah with me and we walked in the rain and leaves were everywhere.
We must have walked a mile! When we were at the end of our street coming home, she was tired and I carried her piggy back to my house. That was a work out all up hill
kaholly
My forest ranger friend thinks that large print is canine, and is a double print which makes it look so big.
June Neigum
Those mushrooms are beautiful, Just don’t eat them!!!
Suzanne
I have no idea what that footprint is – it’s weird.
On another note, I can’t wait to see what sort of quilt Arvilla creates with silk.
Lori, have you ever used silk? If you have, would you show us what you made?
When I was a girl, my mother showed me a family heirloom whole-cloth quilt that was very puffy and made with silk – I loved it (so cozy and warm!) but unfortunately mom stored it somewhere that ruined it. Very sad, but those things happen. Mom was superb at sewing but never made quilts and I guess didn’t know much about preserving them.
Your photos are exquisite!
Alice C Knutson
Your print is canine the claws are showing and the paw isn’t wide enough for a bear. Large dog or wolf/cayote maybe.
Alice C Knutson
Be careful when walking alone always carry something for protection, even in your own unfenced yard. We get some pretty large mean dogs coming down our drive which is 1/4 mile long. Cayotes come in yard also my husband walked up on one, they follow the deer and large gray wolfs are being seen in our area. I live in Northwest Florida, surrounded by woods and wildlife. I to get energized when i walk in woods i take lots of pics. I have pics of an eagle at our fishing pond, herons, deer, our mini horses. Lots of flowers, leaves, grasses, trees, clouds. They give me inspiration for painting, drawing , and especially QUILTING. I’m just learning free motion on a sit down long arm machine. Your posts are so WONDERFUL AND INSPIRATIONAL you make the fear go away because you explain each step. THANK YOU LORI PLEASE DON’T STOP YOU ARE SO TALENTED!!!!!
annieofbluegables
My guess is bear or wolverine? One on top of another, for sure!
Anne Godwin
Thanks for the photos and observations. We live on two wooded acres. Several years ago, I photographed 20 different mushrooms. Now, let me go walk barefoot to the compost pile to empty that bin from the kitchen. It’s 75′ with rain on the way in Mobile, AL. Good spot, Deidre! Lori, I do appreciate the time you spend on your posts. They’re so helpful and inspiring.
Linda
Love the photos! Beautiful. I also enjoyed the sleuthing. I think I’ll look into that program.
BARB EMERSON
You are also a wonderful photographer!
Maureen B. in B.C.
Love all the pics. The little red mushrooms might take you interesting places 😳. Or they might be benign. Please post a pic when your revenge is assuaged. 😉
Marta
A “spotted whiteback quilter” !! How interesting, never saw one of those before! Around our neck of the woods, they are “red backs” as it is deer season.
And I love those small shelf mushrooms. Years ago in older childhood, I used my handy pocket knife to harvest one to take home. Bummer, its lovely colors faded with time. I also collected a 6 inch stick (?) from the ground that had a gall. I have never had the nerve to slice it to see the insides. Still here on display with fuzzy cap acorns a friend brought me. My photography has also aided in collecting. Nature ? Yes! But also took photos of some of my mom’s clothing I inherited after she went to Heaven. For couple years I couldn’t part with them. But one day I took photos of them and then cheerfully donated them to a shelter.
Cheri
Lori, since you are south of white bear maybe the bear came down for a hiatus!😂
backporchstitcher
Hey Lori! I asked an avid outdoorsman here at work. He says it’s almost got to be some kind of cat (like a bobcat) because of the size and because of the claws, although they usually retract them like a house cat does. Maybe it was scared? And he agrees with the previous comment about it being one track on top of the other (because of that odd second row of claws) because any cat track should have a pad.
Your photos are beautiful and they remind me of slower times when I used to woods-walk a lot. It’s also a good reminder to be a lot more watchful in general. What great fodder for your designs!
Shar
Hi, Lori,
I don’t think your mystery print is a cat print as they usually do not have claws showing. If the print is the size of your fist size, it’s likely not bear. Could be in the dog family. It does look like it could be 2 prints on top of each other. I’m not sure what you would have in your Midwest location.
I regularly patrol our 8 acres in the 4 Corners area of the SW. I have logged plants and shrubs and investigated carcasses and feathers and all manner of things. It’s pretty dry here, so don;t have some of your lovely features.
Janette
Beautiful pictures, think the print might be bear. Most of my walks are done at a fast pace . By the look of things need to take a slower walk and pay attention more to my surrounding. Thank you for sharing.
Beth
Lori, you might want to give the app iNaturalist a try. Just take a picture of what you are wondering about and the app will process.
Pat V
I had no idea this existed. Of course, “there’s an app for that”. Love it. Will have to try it out.
Linda Wallace Matthews
Loved your nature walk! Lucky you to find these treasures…
Sandi
Print is that of a deer. I do have a book that identifies scat and prints but it is buried under my fabric .
Joan George
Could it be two raccoon prints? One on top of the other?
Sharon Cargill
That’s exactly what I thought it looked like. Two raccoon prints one on top of the other.
Kathy
I walked to our polling place yesterday even with the windy conditions and rain had just ended. I thought if pioneers walked our country I could walk a short distance rather than wimp out and drive and you know it felt good! I was more rejuvenated when I came home and told myself to do that more often when it’s safe to walk.
Arvilla Trag
Good morning, Lori. The first mushroom photo is of turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor), sometimes used to make a tea for chemotherapy patients to help stave off infection and increase beneficial gut flora. These mushrooms can be purchased on-line, cultured in your yard, or collected wild (IF you know what you’re doing with wild mushrooms).
The first track is likely from a doe. The second track – without anything for scale – is likely either bear or wolverine. (Unless you live in an area where there are absolutely no wolverines.) Few animal tracks show the claws this distinctly. The large growth on the tree is a fungal growth called a gall. I cannot identify the other two mushrooms from the photos alone, and the bird’s nest is a mystery to me.
I am off to China tomorrow, in Shanghai. I will have a couple of free days and I am going to search for some silks for quilting. Stay tuned!
Lynn
You will definitely find gorgeous silks in Shanghai!
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