With the passing of each week, Galena Creek continues to grow cleaner and healthier. The freshwater snails are more abundant and I’ve found what appear to be brown trout minnows swimming around. Though I haven’t been able to photograph any yet, there are also crayfish. New aquatic plants, some quite beautiful, are growing and it looks like we’ll have a nice crop of watercress soon.

Muskrats are all over the place. For some, these water loving rodents are cute little creatures. For others, like my neighbor James, they are destructive nuisances. Their burrowing damages his pond, and they are laying waste to the fish he keeps. In parts of the United States and other countries, Muskrats are considered a delicacy. They are said to taste like rabbit or duck. Personally, I don’t see a breast of Muskrat with a side of fava beans in my immediate future.

There a few things that I haven’t been able to identify. If anyone knows what this worm-like little creature is, please let me know.

For me, the creek has become my place for quiet contemplation. It’s a rare day that I don’t spend time along its banks as Anne says, “contemplating my navel.” In a few days, the irises in and along the creek will be in bloom so you can expect to see more pictures soon.