This is Ledson Marsh. On this day I thought I would hike around the entire marsh. There is a trail around 3/4's of it. The other one quarter I was really looking forward to.
Part way around I saw the marsh was all dried up. I shouldn't have been surprised considering the extreme drought-like conditions California is in. But hey, I'll make the most of it and explore what is usually unexplorable.
I came to the portion where the water runs through it and was concerned about sinking into deep mud. I was surprised to find it solid. Just beneath the surface the water was frozen solid. This was like being on the tundra of Canada and Alaska I thought.
Not all the water was frozen,
just along the edge,
which created an interesting effect. Incidentally it was a very pleasant warm day so I do not understand how this can remain frozen.
Eventually I had to follow some animal paths through the reeds and cattails in trying to get to the unexplored quarter I was seeking. Here I was thinking of Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn in the movie The African Queen.
I couldn't get through to the other side and dejectedly had to turn back. Now which way did I come? Well these guys helped guide me back to the trail side of the marsh. Once on the trail I noticed my pants just covered with little stickers. I don't know what I got into but it looked like a miniature porcupine had got me. I spent about 15 minutes pulling stickers from my pants and socks.
Next time I will attack the unexplored quarter from a different approach.
10 comments:
Always on the way, there is much to explore I see. It is a place you don't see much other people I think, looks rather abandoned.
A little robinson crusoe experiment here. But this kind of frozen mud can be very treacherous as some mammoths in siberia has proven. Still great nature to explore.
Oh, I know what it's like to want to find a way to explore a place but have to turn back. Better luck next time!
I truly enjoy your photos.
When I went to a dry pond Saturday, I, too, was surprised at the frozen ground. Did you guys have burst water pipes under roads like we had here?
glad you didn't get lost. :)
Beautiful shots of the marsh and ice formations. Looks like a cool place, thankfully without leeches.
My, my, you were in the mood for an adventure. No water, so no leeches, Humphrey. But the stickers took their place. Hey, is that a bird in your last shot? Or is Sinbad out for a stroll? Can't quite tell.
Looks like an interesting place.
You get some amazing shots on your hikes. «Louis» has never seen shelf fungi before. It is interesting how that water remained frozen on the edges.
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