Fresh water mussels

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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.