Fresh water mussels

[ladyapple27]

I went to the creek today to gather sand and rock for some gardening projects. I found some native fresh water mussel shells. Some species are endangered because they can only survive in pristine waters. Older relatives tell of times past when the mussels were so plentiful that they were gathered and eaten like oysters. The mussel species frequently have folksy names like "Carolina Heel-splitter." 

 
I took this pic in low light to test my new camera.


The mussel shells in a bucket of sand and pebbles.

Comments

[trekkingkitty.livejournal.com]

Very cool. All I know about mussels is they taste good.

[calizen.livejournal.com]

Are oysters still plentiful where you live?

[ladyapple27.livejournal.com]

I'm in the mountains of North Carolina, but my friends and relatives on the coast tell me that the oysters aren't as plentiful as they used to be.

[calizen.livejournal.com]

Sad.

[wherrymotor.livejournal.com]

While there's nothing odd
About the gastropod
When it comes to dining
The bivalve requires no refining

(But let's not eat all the pretty ones. I's sooner soybeans at every meal than lose one species.)

[ladyapple27.livejournal.com]

Declining water quality is what's killing them off. Too much sediment and too many chemicals...