This giant Geode is at the Museum of Nature History in Houston, Texas.  A geoda is formed when liquid crystal solution seeps into an open area in rock then over time this highly saturated solution of a mineral will form crystal in the void in the rock layer.  Then over a long period of time the surrounding rock will be weathered by wind, water, and ice.  When more weather resistant geode will finally be exposed on the surface of the ground.  As you can see geodes take on varied and interesting shapes.  When I visited a store outside the Petrified Forest National Park, there was a geode that had three large legs.  Someone had cut the top off the geode exposing beautiful blue crystals which lined the entire inside of the geode.  A piece of furniture glass was attached on top.  The price tag of this 5 and 3 foot geode table was a mere seven thousand dollars!

The interesting point is that part of the southwest which are now hot and dry were more like swamps with many trees and prehistoric animals.  Scientists now say that geologic evident shows that the large area was uplifted by 3000 to 4000 vertical feet over a long time.  Thus this area saw climate change with a change in plant and animal life.  In a ancient indian village close by, it is known that the area once supported farming.  Now the area is desert-like and a near by river is dried up most of the year.

There's a snapping turtle in my corn!

This morning I had a great opportunity to see a Eastern Snapping Turtle depositing her eggs in the soft moist soil of my sweet corn garden near a creek that runs along our property.  After I took these pictures I left, and when I came back she had covered where the eggs were put and was crawling back to the creek.  The turtle's shell was around one foot in length.  When she detected me walking down, she froze in place so I took a couple of more pictures to show her entire length.  From past experiences with snapping turtles, I know the neck can extend long enough to grab your hand even if you are holding it towards the back of the shell.  I was never injured only educated.

According to the Maryland Natural Resources website...Even though the turtle may have a long tail, spinal injury can happen to the turtle (any turtle) if picked up by the tail.  As for snapping turtle there are only two living members of the Chelydra Family.  The scientific name for the eastern snapping turtle is Chelydra serpentina serpentine.  It is the largest freshwater turtle with sizes between 8 to 14 inches.  The record is 19 inches but we had one one that would cross the road along Little Conococheague Creek that looked longer.  Not something you would try to run over.  The result would have been bad for the vehicle...in my opinion. This turtle is common throughout Maryland.  They like permanent bodies of water such as ponds.  Our creek called Dry Run has water flowing in it throughout the year be it little during the dry times. The Maryland DNR gores on  the say these ill-tempered turtle stay camouflaged except during nesting season from April till June.  When these turtles "snap" their heads and necks will extend surprising far to catch their prey or your finger which will mostly likely be removed from your hand.  You can watch safely at a distance and do not mess with them.