Plant profile - Passion Flower

The maypops are beginning to ripen. When their skins are shriveled, it will be time to enjoy this excellent fall fruit. The flower that precedes it is exotically beautiful, as is its aroma. Tea from the leaves is medicinal as a muscle relaxant, sleep aid and treatment for anxiety.

Passion flower fruit

My son checking the ripeness of this year's maypop crop. Not ready yet. Most people are familiar with the beautiful flowers and perfume of the Passion Flower, but fewer know about the edible fruit the vines produce. It reminds me of a pomegranate.

One stick deadfall trigger

This is the simplest trap trigger I have worked with. It can be improvised to set almost any type of deadfall.

Snapping Turtle

Turtles were everywhere this summer. This guy wasn't huge (compare to my toe on the right), but he wasn't hard to catch either. I'm a sucker for turtles, so he survived the encounter. My grandfather raised four children on this, squirrels, fish and a well kept vegetable garden. You could too!

Muscadines!

Found these on a walkabout. Always carry a plastic bag in your pocket - you never know what nature may have on special.

River Cooter (I don't name things, blame science)

Another random turtle picture (we didn't eat this one either). It's amazing how much protein a person can find wandering around the lawn or along the road. Oftentimes, keen observation of your immediate area is better than a trap or tromping through the woods with weapons.

Big fish

                                                   I once caught a fish this big!