We're going on a fossil hunt...dang...there's shooting going on here!

My friend MM wanted to go on a fossil hunt. So we met her in town and she followed us to the park. It was odd to walk without the puppies, but a cold mist had started. We figure cold wet dogs might interfere with our hunt. We also were also concerned about hunters as it is dove season again (we have a split season) and we had noticed more than a few echoing shots in our afternoon/evening walks.

We showed MM a few of the sights of the wildlife area and made it to the creek in short order. The light rain here must have been a little heavier in the watershed as the creek was up an inch or two leaving few clear and dry spots to hunt fossils. [Even as we walked the creek we could hear shots in the distance.]

We did find plenty of "devil's toenails" and then the cockle/scallop ridged types started to show up. MM did not go home empty handed and actually retrieved one really nice specimen.

We then took her over to the other side of the park and down towards the creek. We noticed TDW's car when we parked, but we didn't see him or the pack. There was another car we did not know and another car parked as we did.

It was getting crowded on that other side, but it never hurts to have some options for a nice walk on a winter's day.*

Here are a few things we saw:

We scoured the creek bed for fossils and found a few. I noticed the large rock in the center of the photo.  It looked like one of those "conglomerates" of fossils so I picked it up and turned it over. I quickly set it down again as there was a friend on the bottom.

Here he is close-up. I think it is a, well, I don't know. I thought it would be easy to identify, but had no luck. This guy looks like a couple of different varieties.

And as I leaned closer to take the photo of the spider I spied this fossil just below the edge of the large rock.

It was the nicest and most complete one we found. Thanks Mr. Spider.

We always notice varieties of scat on the walks. It is a wildlife area after all. Some of the scat is pink and so we know those creatures (hoggs?) are eating the fruit of the prickly pear. Here was our proof - there's still fruit to be had.

Just at the gate are these bright blue Texas Mountain Cedar berries. Beautiful.

There are still plenty of wildflower seeds to be gathered, if one is so inclined.

Still not happy with this view of a fence post, but I will keep trying.

On the other side the berry vines are taking over abandoned  chunks of concrete.

This might be a good place for berry picking.

*A hunter and son (we could tell by the pump shotgun they carried) arrived as we did. We called TDW to let him know since his dogs were likely loose in the area and we didn't want them to be surprised. We generally avoid these parks when other cars are there. We know we share them with the hunters. But discretion is our middle name.

The other side of the park...

A hint of things to come.

We had planned a walk over Christmas lunch. We would meet our friends at the wildlife area where we often walk. After the four-leggers were tired we would head to the part of the area to the east of the highway and explore.*

Paddy, Scruffy, DH and I arrived first and wandered almost to the creek before we were joined by Stanley, Hugo, Ruby and TDW.

The water was higher than normal as we have had a few minor rains. And it was misting this day - trying to rain, but failing. We could not be dissuaded. We walked the creek and found some fossils - some small and some conglomerated. We left most for finding again.

Then we cut through the woods and through brambles and loaded up the cars. 

Paddy comes running on this grey day.

Scruff isn't far behind.

Dry grass seed - this park has such texture. You just have to look.

Some nettle or stinging wildflower just waiting to grow and "get me" in the spring/summer.

Spring's bluebonnets are just waiting for the seasons to change. I have to brave the snakes and wild things this spring.

Fossils

More fossils

And more fossils

TDW heads to the woods (and brambles) to find the pups

Dogs in the creek.

My guys getting a drink and wading in the creek.

Paddy-girl

Not special fossils as far as I can see, but a mass of them. This little paperweight came home while I left all the rest for finding again!

Wounded tree

Twiggy limbs against the sky.

Bristles show as the plants deteriorate.

Remains of a thistle?

Seeds and fluff waiting for the wind to blow them away.

I try to ignore the trash, but this water bottle topped this cedar like a Christmas star. It is long past time for us to come with trash bags and gloves and patience.

I loved the look of the dry curly leaves.

Paddy running down the path - ready for the next adventure.

I seem to take this photo over and over. Scruff just has great ears for running.

Driving south over the bridge and beyond the big sign we turned off to another small and poorly marked entrance. We shimmied through the gate while dogs crawled under to enter the other side.

 It is a short walk from the entrance to this part of the creek. The remains of two bridges stand - mute evidence of a roadway and other passage to a farm, victim of the floodway needed for the dam built in the late 40s/early 50s.

We walked the solid creek bottom and then walked along the small ledge on one of the bridge supports/pylons to reach the fields beyond. The dogs mostly swam, but Paddy followed behind TDW.

We found the location of some of the old farm buildings. A stand of trees, broken fencing/corral, and a deep cistern or well. We managed to shoo all the dogs away from the "hole." They were all too interested and it was way too deep for any silliness.

We saw enough to know that we would be coming back soon.**

Dewberry (?) vines were everywhere.

There once was a bridge here.

And there are bigger trees on this side of the wildlife area.

Fossils in the creek bed.

A different view of the bridge supports. TDW had just walked across (the ledge is about 10 inches wide) closely followed by Paddy.

The creek takes a turn here and has significantly deeper places to enjoy (or avoid).

Squint your eyes - you can almost see the old farm house or the barn.

 This central tree may be dead. It was a huge old thing. The large tree to the left was clearly a pecan and had produced prolifically this year.

The cover on this "hole" was in need of work.

Dark and deep

A peek in.

I love this tree. It reached its branches out.

Abandoned wasp nest still clinging to a twig.

No one home.

Paddy

Paddy-girl comes running.

Scruffy looks almost joyful.

Old fence post. The wire is loose along the ground.

Part of an old fence line

Some of the tree-lines brought to mind a Dalhart Windberg ***painting.

Crazy dogs running back for a cookie. I think we have this down.

There are woods to explore.

The woods and fields and creek will call us over the next few months.

Dog-tired dog.

It may be a "trash tree," but its berries are stunning in the grey of winter.

NOTES:

*I have been trying to walk in this part of the park for some months, but we were always in a hurry or too tired. Today would be the day - finally!

**We also heard lots of shooting - fairly clearly shotguns. These parks are open to dove and duck hunting. We will take care to avoid the hunters.

*** http://windbergartcenter.com/shop/bluebonnets/treasured-old-timer/