30 Sept 2012 – Hiking Dam Site 15a Tributaries

We started at the bridge on Ida Street and walked south along the west drainage (creek).  Followed the creek south past the power lines, about 1/2+ mile in the section. Looking to see if the beaver dam was still intact and discovered not just that beaver dam but 6 to 7 other dams along that section of creek – and the dams were all different:

some made of sticks and mud

some made with cornstalks dragged from adjacent field (listen to the flowing water)

and one utilizing an old tire.

Lots of ducks are using the creek – particularly gathering under the overhanging trees – also one owl, one hawk – woodpeckers – chickadees – doves and others – but the dominant were ducks. Going back to the cars we took the quicker route through the cornfield – a reminder of too many past project sites!

The east drainage near 168th was far less interesting – and almost no water – but lots of huge walnut trees – and walnuts filling up the small creek channel

The walnut canopy making quite a majestic backdrop – or updrop.  On this drainage we found a young deer – dead – nice little horns – dead long enough to catch that dead odor if downwind – made me think that if words had smells – the word “putrid” would smell like that.