Uncategorized

Taken with a Canon 40D and the Wild Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis; apparently injured last summer, he is mending for a spring release.

The colors are coming out late in October on the beautiful North Fork River.

Rainbow Springs (aka; Double Springs) north branch; looking east toward the North Fork of the White River. June 2008. By permission of owner.

 A mid winter moon; taken from my North Fork campsite in January 1986. It snowed by morning.

The most distinctive feature of this moderately large crayfish is the presence of a conspicuous black spot on each pincer near the base of the movable finger. The carapace is reddish brown or olive-brown, with a narrow crescent-shaped dark bar across its hind margin. The abdomen is olive-green, with bright red outlining the free margins of all its segments. The pincers, carapace and abdomen are without conspicuous dark specks or blotches. Adults are about 2.3 to 5.4 inches in length. Common in the North Fork and ROLF.

Can been see along the North Fork where it stakes out a fishing territory. Needs to let you know you have entered his territory. Diet is near 100% fish. There seems to be a noisy pair every 1/2 mile along the river.

Click to enlarge

The town of Topaz was built in the late 1800’s on the upper North Fork, only about 6-8 miles below the highest put-in point for a float trip. During the 1940’s-1950’s Topaz became a Ghost Town. Even in the mid 1960’s when I did the river charting, it was not inhabited. Today it appears there are a few people living in the valley again. The Mill and Store are in great shape and the old large spring and spillway are once gain working.