The Wild Carrot 5

Queen Anne's Budding
Originally uploaded by toadshade

Queen Anne's Lace or Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) is a plant medicine of the south used for treating cuts and bruises. This one is just budding and really looks great if you click on it for a bigger picture. It was at about mile 3 of my run today and has been growing in this suburban field for the last 8 years since I moved here. I will put a more developed flower on my FaceBook daily blurb.

It was 95 today and I felt great out there. I'm eating better and cutting out the sweets. Saw a Loggerhead Shrike at the end of Dickcissel Road. May be nesting in the Cherry Tree there. I've seen him off and on all Spring at that spot. There was a Blue Grosbeak at the other end of the dirt road also. The corn crop is still high and I believe it's the first time they've planted corn since I've been living out here. Am used to seeing over the fields to locate any birds flying over. Did see a young Doe crossing the road and dashing through the corn.

As soon as we get officially out of our drought status for the state, it dries up. A lot of the plants on the road were wilting and no rain forecasted for the next 5 days with temperatures in the high 90's. My time was decent at 49:11 at 9:51 per mile pace.

toadshade

Congaree Bluffs and Indigo Bunnies

Common Mullein
Originally uploaded by toadshade

Ann-Marie and I went out this morning early to go to Congaree Bluffs located on the other side of Congaree National Park in Calhoun County. Even though we started a lot earlier, it was even worse than last week. We were sweating like pigs from hell within 20 minutes. To top it off, the Department of Natural Resources was going through a 'reforestation of the Longleaf Pines' and the area had been pretty much cut down with limbs everywhere, even into the forest, which made those trails impossible to find. So we decided to stick to the open areas since they seemed to be providing us with a lot of bird life and vascular flora. One plant that was taking advantage of the sun big time was the the Common Mullein (pictured). This huge plant was everywhere and seemed to match the gross heat with it's giant leaves and beautiful yellow flowers. Other plants common to this environment were there like Fern-leafed False Foxglove, Coreopsis, Prickly Pear Cactus, Bull Thistle, Mexican Clover, Butterfly Pea and Daisy Fleabane.

Ann-Marie got to see her first Indigo Bunting (not 'Bunny' Ann-Marie) along with a Blue Grosbeak. We also saw a Wild Turkey heading down the road. I'm including below the full bird list. We went out to the Bluffs to rest, hydrate and eat a power bar before our return trip down the road. I decided not to hit the woods this time and wait and see what DNR is going to do about locating new trailheads in the woods. Still it was a great day with a lot of surprises, human and natural, along the way.

Location: Congaree Bluffs
Observation date: 6/27/09
Notes: Expected to find a Prairie Warbler and Painted Bunting but didn't.
Number of species: 14

Wild Turkey 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Mississippi Kite 1
Chimney Swift 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Northern Parula 1
Summer Tanager 1
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 3

toadshade

The Passionflower Fire Ant 5

Maypop
Originally uploaded by toadshade

I took this picture on my jogging route yesterday. Called Maypop by the local folks and Passionflower otherwise due to it's scientific name of Passiflora incarnata. It is a Medicine Plant of the North in the Cherokee system. Used with Peppermint for a calming effect. The flower grows wild and is stunning to see.

My run went as well as it could be on a sweltering humid day. I was hydrated well and had a good strong run except for a run-in with some fire ants who didn't care for my recycling efforts right next to their mound. They pretty well let me know it with that endearing way that fire ants have of biting the hell out of you. I reckon their Green Philosophy was different from mine!!

I did 5 miles in 49:43 at 9:57 per mile. It was good to beat a 10 minute per mile pace on such a hot day!!

toadshade

Blackberry Passion

Blackberries
Originally uploaded by toadshade

It was a hot, humid day to run, but I was treated with one of the first fruits of the burgeoning summer. These blackberries were small, but tangy and a welcome respite on my 6 mile run around Sunview Lake. Didn't see much else blooming around the lake but saw Maypops (or Passionflower - hence the post title) on the far side and two variations of Coreopsis major catching the rays of the western sun. They're posted on my Flickr site at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/toadshade/sets/72157619513248406/detail/

Got an email from my cousin John who was walking the first part of the Appalachian Trail. Seems he wants to finish since he's in northern Virginia with about a month left to his reckoning. The hard part is negotiating with his wife. I wish him the best and hope he finishes. He played a major part in getting me into long distance running which eventually led to all this.

Am getting more into nature study since I have a lot of friends that seem to want to get out and enjoy the natural world. Lot of hikes lined up and a lot of new enthusiasm from those close to me. Good to be alive!

toadshade

The Forty Acre Rock Solstice Hike

On the Ascent
Originally uploaded by toadshade

For the Summer Solstice we decided to go to Table Rock. Abandoned that since the weather was gonna be blistering and over 100 degrees. We opted instead for my old piedmont stand bye - 40 Acre Rock. It's a little over 50 miles from town and offers a real piedmont experience with a hint of the mountains. The occasion was Father's Day for Med and the Summer Solstice. The Queen of Cutlery, Ann-Marie, was doing show and tell all the way up there on the difference between a Survival Knife and a Camp Knife. Med was bringing his Digital SLR to do some Wildflower and nature shots. Viv, who had been there before, was going to explore the Beaver Pond since she came in another way last time. I was going to see what summer wildflowers had replaced the spring ones. Ann-Marie was getting in shape for her fall backpacking trip in the foothills. We took it slow and easy around the Beaver Pond which was a little hilly and got everyone's sweat glands working pretty well. We stopped and took pictures of plants, ponds and people along the way, and almost got bogged down in the Switch Cane type grass. Tons of spiderwebs (with spiders) were blocking the path so it was a little slow going. After we rounded the pond we were pretty much at the base of the rock which we climbed with only one stop for the picture on the left. We then reached the summit and I took a picture of the group and sent it to Bill on my iPhone. After that we descended on the far side of the rock and followed the stream back to the approach trail. Then it was a short walk to the car - and ice, and cold Gatorade, and air conditioning! Ann-Marie was trying out her new hydration bladder and it was a resounding success.

After that we rode to Kershaw to eat at (I'm not kidding) The Garden of Eat'n!! We really hogged out and the food was great. Even though everyone was tired hot we all a great time just joking, playing with knifes and bladders, and snapping photos. We're thinking about Peach Tree Rock next time since it's a project (like 40 Acre Rock) of the Department of Natural Resources where Viv works!!

And now for my nature schtick. As far as wildflowers we saw Heal-All, Bergamot, St John's Wort, early fruiting Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Bloodroot leaves, Spotted Wintergreen, Red and Yellow Buckeye, Wild Ginger and a couple of Burley Cudges Bill is helping me ID. As far as the birds go, this is the list I sent to eBird, the national bird database:

Location: Forty Acre Rock
Observation date: 6/20/09
Notes: Heard more I couldn't ID. Pretty good for hot day.
Number of species: 17

Great Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 1
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Acadian Flycatcher 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Summer Tanager 1
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

The Fleabane Five

Fleabane
Originally uploaded by toadshade

One the Cherokee Plant Medicines of the West, Daisy Fleabane is growing all around the Midlands, on the roadsides and in ditches. Was used to treat gout and kidney problems and is supposed to drive away fleas.

Well, fleas were the least of my problems on this hot, sweaty (92 and humid) run across Dickcissel Fields. The fleas would have drowned anyway. It was really too hot to run but I was well hydrated and had a sloggy time of 48:52 at 9:47 per mile. It's supposed to get in the 100s the next few days. Maybe I should take up Ice Carving?

toadshade

Parsley, Sage, Petunias and Thymne

Petunia
Originally uploaded by toadshade

And Rosemary of course. These are some the herbs I'm putting out this year along with Sweet Marjoram, Greek Oregano and Lemon Balm. Was trying to see how long the Pansies were going to hold out but the last heat wave got 'em. Put out Petunias since they did so well last year. Already need to harvest the herbs.

toadshade

Post Rain 3 Mile Night Flyer

Was just itching to get out there tonight so I waited til the rain finished and cooled everything down. It was a great fast 3 miles at 9:14 pace for 27:41. It was foggy and humid but great running weather. I had to dig out my night reflector so I wouldn't get creamed on the road. This is red neck city out here and they think runners are two bit yuppie wimps who should be yelled at and given absolutely no space on the road. Fortunately they were all drunk, passed out or in jail this evening. You wouldn't even know they were there except for the sirens.

toadshade

3 Rivers Greenaway

James and Beaver
Originally uploaded by toadshade

Went on about a 3-4 mile hike today with my friend Ann-Marie. She just quit smoking a few months ago and is trying to get in shape to go backpacking in the mountains later in the early fall. First test will be Table Rock next weekend!! The Riverwalk is always beautiful and a great place for hikers, joggers, strollers, dog walkers, and kayakers on the river. Summer is here with 90 degree weather plus high humidity. It was pretty sticky for the first part of the walk but a light wind picked up in the 2nd half and made it a lot more pleasant. The main foliage consisted of Sycamores, Hackberries, Box Elder, various Hickories, Smilax and plenty of Poison Ivy. The river was up and everything was lush and green. I heard on NPR that South Carolina is finally out of it's 3 year drought. Ann-Marie treated me to coffee and a drink at Starbucks and I treated her to a cookie.

Great way to spend a Sunday morning in the Cathedral of Nature.

toadshade

The Butter Glory 5

MorningGlory
Originally uploaded by toadshade

Saw some beautiful Morning Glories on my 5 mile Cornfield Run today. My time was 49:39 at 9:55 per mile. The 91 degree heat slowed me down but it felt good when an occasional breeze would come up. Plenty of Butterflies - Sulphurs, Buckeyes and American Ladies but photos turned out too fuzzy. They were nectaring on South American Vervain. Am considering adding more hikes to my blog and break out of the running mold a bit.

toadshade

The FrogKiller Five

FrogKiller
Originally uploaded by toadshade

The Salamander Priests were giving last rites to the Frogs as this deluge drenched the Midlands with heavy rain, wind and hail. I took a 5 mile run right afterwards, and this normally dry dirt road was a water hazard today!! But it was fun; the rain cooled it down from the 90s earlier in the day and I felt like a kid again out there splashing around. Heard some Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings out there. They must love the corn as much as I do!! My time was 47:13 which is 9:27 per mile.

toadshade

Corn Rigs are Bonny

CornBlog
Originally uploaded by toadshade

This is the first year I've been jogging where they planted corn in Dickcissel Field. The rain has been good and the corn is tall and healthy. Twill be John Barleycorn come Lammas when we all share in the bounty of the land. Since a lot of people don't know or care where their food comes I thought I'd take a picture of an absolute blessing. This comes before the little cereal boxes in the grocery store.

My jog was good - 5 miles at a 9:49 pace for a 49:01 time. The little plants growing in the road I mentioned earlier were some of the wild mustards that appear in late Winter. The fact that we've had such a moderate (heat-wise) Spring is probably why this little yellow beauty is holding on.

toadshade

Back by Popular Demand!

Well, Bill said he missed reading it. Been lazy lately, not so much on the jogging front as the blogging front. Hate to drag a camera along so will do some text media instead of multimedia stuff for while. Went 5 miles yesterday on Dickcissel Field which is ripe with a corn crop now. As I said earlier they have closed off the road to traffic (except for farming) and the road is filling in with grasses and other flora I can't ID as of yet. It's interesting to see the deer tracks everywhere and my jogging prints along side. Maybe I'm a shapeshifter.

Went out to Whitehouse Road last weekend with some friends to pick strawberries at Cottles Strawberry Farm. Tons of Bluebirds out there and a few Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks. Will post my last White House Road birding list later today.

On the home front, Fred's Birch tree is getting so big that the squirrels are jumping from it to my platform feeder. We cut it back some and everything seems ok for now. No birds to report on but it is nice to hear the croaking rasp of the Great-crested Flycatchers in the neighboring yards.

Later - Toadshade