Fall Plants - Edible, Medicinal, Tea

We are fully into the Fall season now; and have recently had temperatures below freezing. Now is the time to get out and gather any plants that you want to stock up on over the winter.

I went out a few days ago, nice and sunny, just a bit cool; and quite comfortable with a light jacket.

I searched an area along a small stream for some Ginseng; that I knew grew there. I did not plan to harvest it, but was just curious if it the plant was still living. I did find one of the smaller plants, that has finished it's yearly cycle. There were other larger plants nearby the last time I was through there, that have probably already died off for the year, but it is possible that someone dug those up, even though it is prohibited on that piece of property.

Here is a bunch of Golden Rod that I gathered a couple of weeks ago. It has now dried and I need to pull the leaves off and store it. I use this for a tea, whenever I have a cold, sore throat, etc. ....sometimes just to have a cup. Whenever you make tea from any plant, just experiment to get the strength you prefer. Goldenrod tea can be quite bitter if too strong.

Dandelion is quite hardy and is still about for picking. It has been a while, but I have picked cooked and eaten the leaves. My mother used to gather these regularly. Although I have never done so, I have read that the root can be dried, ground up, and used a coffee substitute, of course caffeine free.

Late season Dock; another edible. I am not sure which variety of Dock this is, so feel free to identify it if you know. Again, with this plant, I have not done so, but have read that the root is edible....please do your own research. I did not notice till posting this picture, but it looks like Wild Strawberry plants growing around ti.

A plant many are familiar with and that I have posted regarding before; Mullein. I sometimes make a tea from this plant also when I have a cold. It is a strong tasting tea, and I prefer it with honey. Some people also smoke the leaves for the same properties that I use the tea for; but I have never done so. The plant shown, is a first year plant. During it's second year, it will grow several feet tall, with a sturdy stalk that is topped by a long yellow blossom. Look elsewhere in my blog for mature plants.

This is a late season Canadian Fleabane plant; useful for digestive problems. Not the best pictures to identify this, but when you know this plant, it is very easy to spot. This plant, the Mullein, Dock, and Dandelion were all in or around the edge of my yard.

Another plant that I always gather this time of year, and have posted regarding in the past also; is Blackberry leaves. They are now turning red and about ready to drop to the ground. I make tea from these, and it has become just about my very favorite tea. It has a great taste! It is a nice relaxing drink. For my hikes and outings in the fall and winter, it is not uncommon for me to take along a small thermos of this to drink.
If gathering this, I recommend using leather gloves, as there are many thorns to give you cuts if you use your bare hands. I have done so without gloves, but it has to be done slowly and carefully.

This is Spicebush; a small undergrowth bush, that I have just recently become familiar with. There was a nice post regarding it on Paleoplanet, that lead to my interest and investigation and I found that it is quite common in my area. The berries are edible, but I did not find them to be that flavorful. They did leave a spicy after taste in my mouth. Some people use the berries as an additive to some food for flavoring. I was also informed that the leaves can be cooked and eaten...again I have just discovered this plant and have not tried that.

Multiflora Rose Hips.....These are a great source of vitamin C. I picked a hand full of these and snacked on them during a hike a few days ago.

Wild Grapes that I came across while hiking the edge of a field near the river. Early in the season, these are very tart tasting, but now when they are ready to drop to the ground, they are nice and sweet tasting. I picked a couple of bunches of these to eat as I hiked and I also picked more and took home with me.

A couple of pictures of the area I was in where some of the above pictures were taken.

Thanks for stopping by! ............now time for me to get my work day underway!

Early November Fall Weekend

Weather today; began with rain mixed with snow...stayed in mid 30s...weather for this past weekend (just two days previous); above normal temps into low 70s, sunshine, and windy. I took full advantage of the nice weather to get out and roam about twice over the weekend...but most likey would have gotten out even if today's weather had been with us over the weekend. An advantage to less than desirable weather, is that you most often have any area you choose to yourself.

Most trees in my area have now lost their leaves; leaving the forest bare, but with a beauty of it's own and a clear view not available when leaves are present.

If you look closely, there are still a few plants sporting fall colors. These Gooseberry leaves caught my eye, with their soft colors.

Sycamore trees, with their white bark, and spreading limbs; provide a nice contrast in amoungst the other trees.

As usual, my pal Emma was along. She ranges all about the areas that we pass through, checking back occasionally to find me; and is quite adept at following my trail if I have moved on. She climbed up this tree leaning over the water, smelling whatever had been up the tree before we came along. Shortly after this picture, she climbed a bit higher...lost her footing..and fell to the ground. I was somewhat alarmed, but she continued on with no apparent harm.

Continueing along, I passed through the Native American mound site (mentioned in at least one earlier post here). It is a very interesting area, that many local people do not know about; and is in an area that is not that easy to get to. From there it is a short distance to where the river makes a sharp turn to the east. I stopped there for a rest and had a brief visit with a guy that was kayaking downstream.



From this point, I turned west and followed the river downstream, heading back to my vehicle. I encountered a couple of groups of horseback riders along the way....and thankfully my dog did not chase the horses! When I got back to the car and driving away, I saw this pheasant wander out into the open, and was quite surprised that it cooperated long enough for a few pictures.

Sunday, I decided to visit one of our local marsh areas. The weather was still very nice, but the wind continued to grow stronger most of the day. I had chosen to bring along a flannel shirt and was quite comfortable wearing it.

I decided to make another visit to the same marsh that is featured in an earlier post here. I wish that I had taken a picture of the open water area for comparison, because it is quite low now, because of the drought we experienced this summer.

Looking out across the cattails and over the marsh land. Do you see the lone narrow tree, somewhat to the right of center? It will be featured shortly....

I spent a couple of hours here; with over half of that time spent sitting or standing quietly watching and observing. Emma wandered about, checking in with me from time to time. During one of the periods she was away; there was suddenly what seemed a quite loud crashing noise in the cattails near me; apparently an animal that had nearly walked up to me, realized I was there and departed quickly through the very thick growth of cattails. Emma showed up just afterwards. I got her to head into that area to see if she could pick up a trail. You do remember the tree I mentioned above I assume. Soon after I sent Emma to see what she could find; I caught motion on a lone tree in the middle of the cattails. A raccoon was climbing up it to safety...apparently what had made the loud racket that I had heard as it panicked and scampered away. I got several pictures, but it kept it's head pretty well hidden most of the time.

After a few pictures, I left to let the raccoon continue with it's day.

Taking my time and looking about, I found numerous things of interest to me.

Cattails.........

Goldenrod.....

....unkown plant....if you know the identity....please let me know!

Again, another group of unkown plants to me. The whispy heads were probably from 5 to 8 feet tall.

A bright splash of color....

A late season butterfly....

Moving along the edge of the cattails, I began picking up that old familiar odor; that told me there was something dead nearby. I kept searching about, moved further into the cattails and came upon this area trampled down by predators, probably coyotes, around the carcass of a large 8 point buck. My assumption was that he had been wounded by an arrow, but I could see no wound on the exposed side.

**a couple of graphic pictures follow...**

...and so concluded my weekend outings. A great time....with well over 200 pictures taken. Now spending time, sorting, editing, and deleting pictures.

...thanks for stopping by my blog...

Fall Afternoon

Archery deer season has begun here. I am not a deer hunter; but please do not read that as an anti-hunting statement. I enjoy venison and wish the hunters success. If any of my hunting friends need help setting up, finding a good spot, or any assistance with a deer, I am willing to help. I just have not gotten the "fire and desire" to give it a worthwhile try and at my age, will probably forgo that.

To provide as little disruption as possible to hunters, I chose to go for a hike early last Saturday afternoon, hoping to be out between their normal morning and late afternoon hunting times. I headed out to the closest area; walked  through a grown up old pasture area, back to a wooded area, where there is marsh. Along the way, I passed a tree stand.

We are getting some very nice Fall colors now, better than I had expected following our severe drought and very hot summer.

The marsh areas are a bit low, from the dry summer, but still back into some of the wooded areas a bit.

Looking across the very upper end of the marsh, where it blends into a very small feeder stream that is hidden away in the tall grass.

Looking out over the main body of the marsh. The marsh areas have been created by the county park management; to duplicate what was once very common in my area, until the early settlers drained the marsh land for farm land.

A hornets nest hanging in a tree over a small stream.

Once again; that old familiar odor was filling my nostrils...that of a dead deer. I knew it was very near and was determined to find it. Another clue was that there was a large number of Turkey Vultures in the trees and flying about that I had disturbed from feeding.

After searching about, I finally found the carcass. It was on the other side of a small finger of the marsh from where I first got it's scent. My dog found it before me, and was eating some of the VERY rotten and maggot infested meat. It was a small 8 point buck, and I assume another victim of the virus that was so rough on our deer population this year.

On the way back to my vehicle, I found that a hunter was in the stand that I had passed. I stopped and had a nice visit with him. He was very understanding about me passing through the area, especially since he had chosen a spot that is close to the road and easily accesible.

Thanks for stopping by!

Railroad Trestle Evening Hike

Today, I changed up my routine a bit and took off for a hike and photo expedition late in the afternoon. My normal routine gets me out there early, usually before others are there.

This abandoned railroad trestle is located northeast of Collison, Illinois (a very small village in Vemilion County); over the Middlefork River. This section of the river is fun to wade with light spinning tackle and is a good place to catch Smallmouth Bass. We have also caught Rock Bass in the weed beds along the sandbars.

The Sumac really shows up well now, with their bright color. I noticed that there are very few fruit clusters on the Sumac...probably a result of our summer drought. A drink can be made from the fruit clusters; that can be consumed either hot or cold.

Some of the Poison Ivy shows up very well right now. The type that grows taller is bright red, while the plants lower to the ground have a more subdued color.

Once again, I came across a deer carcass. This one was not far from a road, and I believe it must have died as the result of a collision with a vehicle. It appeared to have been a healthy 10 point buck.

With the sun getting low, it was time to head home.

Thanks for stopping by.