I love to go to the mountains looking for and digging ramps (wild leek). Over the past week or so I have made numerous trips hiking into the woods to check on the progress of ramp growth.
Ramps are one of the first plants to make an appearance in spring followed closely by mayapple. So when I find myself with a bad case of spring fever I usually catch some warmer days and head to the woods in the hopes of spotting either plant.
I’m in a new area this year so being unfamiliar with this neck of the woods I enlisted the help of a friend in my search for ramps. If someone likes the taste of ramps like I do, they usually don’t have to live in an area long to know where the ramps are. Once I have found the first little patch I can keep a close watch on them to gauge the growth so I know when to do some serious hunting and digging.
My friend took me straight to where he knew a little patch was growing and moving some leaves aside I was very happy to see these small plants. In this area they are called rooster spurs at this early stage because they are somewhat shaped like a spur on a rooster.

These plants are still quite small but no matter, I was happy to see them.
Well that was the ramps part of this post… and now the rocks.
A couple of years ago I picked up a new hobby – fossil hunting. I’m just fascinated by a rock that at one time was something alive. I find it very difficult to wrap my mind around the age of some of the fossils I have found. Think a time before the dinosaurs.
I have recently found my largest fossil yet. I found it where a mountain had been cut for a train track. The tracks are long gone which makes it a great area to hunt for fossils.

I know nothing about this fossil besides it was obviously the fork in a tree at one time.
My fossil collection continues to grow. I have found that when I am in an area where I am likely to find fossils I can’t help but look. Now if I can just find a good source to help identify some of the fossils I have maybe I can quit calling it a glorified rock collection.
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Just an FYI – the portion of this rooster foot indicated by the “b” is the spur.

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