Mr Science (Gary) and I had planned a birding outing for that day. It didn't work out that way as the day proved to be very windy. The birds would be hunkered down and surely not visible. Plan B was a hike down into the valley of Forestville Creek below his house. My idea was to let the two GSD's Baron and Daisy have a good romp and perhaps catch some early spring wildflowers with my wife's camera. No, I haven't found my missing camera yet!
This is "Bluff Country" at it's best. The region is unglaciated meaning the glaciers did not scour this region thousands of years ago as they did the rest of Minnesota. That means no lakes here or much standing water. The creeks and rivers have had a long time to carve our beautiful valleys. It is also a karst region, meaning the limestone underneath is fractured, leaving sinkholes, disappearing and reappearing rivers. Very susceptible to water pollution which can reappear anywhere.
The major rivers here, the Zumbro, the Whitewater, the Root and the Upper Iowa flow east to meet the mighty Mississippi on its way to the Gulf. The origin of Forestville Creek is a cave which lies below a bluff near Gary's home. It's a first class trout stream exclusively carrying wild trout.
A view of the bluff and cave from the valley.
A disappearing river five miles away leads eventually to this cave. The water is ice cold.
Several other springs at the base of this hill contribute to the flow of the stream.
Baron and Daisy explore ahead of us. Oh, this is fun!!!
Daisy in the foreground. Baron trying to figure out what she is up to.
We run across some fishermen.
False rue anemone.
Hepatica
False rue anemone.HepaticaDutchman's Breetches
Bloodroot
It was a great morning!
Very nice blog! ^^
ReplyDeletedo you know Seoul, Korea?
if not, feel free to visit me.
Thanks a lot ^^
Thank you for the pictures. I feel like I had a little walk in the Minnesota woods this morning. Love the closeups of the wildflowers.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos. At least your wife let you use her camera this time. Be extra careful because I would miss your pictures if she takes the camera away.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great day with friends...human and canine. Love the wildflowers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great plan B! Looks like everyone, doggies too, had a great time! ;0
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was! Thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeletecjh
Now THIS is what I call a worthwhile hike!! What a wonderful time you must have had!! :-) (Love the peek at the wildflowers, too.)
ReplyDeleteYou must have been down there on Friday when it was nice and sunny?
ReplyDeleteWe got almost half an inch of rain here today.
The last time I visited Minnesota was in May and the Lady Slippers, which I had never seen before, just took my breath away. You are so fortunate to have such a variety there. Good looking dogs, sir. And btw, I broke my camera -- I wish it were lost. :) Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteNice walk on a nice day. The shot of the anenomes is particularly fine!
ReplyDeleteA delightful and beautiful walk! Wonderful photos! And hope you find your camera soon!!
ReplyDeleteA lovely outing TB. It is very pretty there. Love the cave and the flowers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very lovely day in a beautiful area. :c)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, we really need to come and explore bluff country more.
ReplyDeletelovely pics.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great time! That first picture looks so much like a spot on one of our trails, I had to do a double-take!
ReplyDeleteNice spring flowers--it's so good to see Earth coming alive again.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was an excellent day out!
ReplyDeleteHi Troutbirder, thanks for the ID on the False Rue Anemone. I had mine wrong and changed it thanks to your post.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Beautiful! The info about the land is very interesting...good to know there are a few clean trout streams left. I hope they keep a close eye on the pollution!
ReplyDelete