Sunday, September 7, 2008

Rock Flipping in Dixfield, Maine


I learned upon waking this morning, that today is the Second Annual International Rock Flipping Day.

After reading about the day, I wished, for the first time in my life, that I was an elementary school teacher. Perhaps next year I will adequately prepare and plan and find a few little kids to take out rock flipping with me.

But, for this, my maiden year of participation, I was satisfied with flipping over some rocks from the flower bed. It was hard to flip the rock and get the camera up and focused before the little critters had scurried from the light but I was able to get a picture of their transportation tunnels. Little subterranean highways.

We had quite a bit of rain last night as Tropical Storm Hanna made her way out to the northern Atlantic and I don't know enough about what lives under rocks to know if all the rain had an effect on today's observations.

I do know that it was fun to flip the rocks and that next year I will have a guidebook to insects and an accomplice ready to snap the photo.

15 comments:

Ruth said...

Good for you...I have never felt brave enough to flip rocks on this day. I may develop more of an appreciation for the creepy crawly things outdoors, but for now I will stick with wings.

pohanginapete said...

Nice one, Beth. I also would have liked to have had some little kids with me to share the fun, but in their absence I resorted to becoming one myself ;^)

Good to see it's got you interested in finding out more about the lives under those rocks.

beckie said...

Well, how could I have missed knowing about this day?? I had to laugh at first, thinking it was going to be a gag, but you're serious aren't you? I, too, will try to be prepared next year and have a couple(or more) granddaughters to help me celebrate life under the rocks.

Jayne said...

Oh, how fun! Didn't you always love to do that as a kid and find the rollie pollies? :c)

Beth said...

Ruth, you do a mighty good job with the things with wings so there is no need for you to branch out.

Pohangingapete, WOW, a New Zealand climber found my blog--I'm humbled and amazed. Thanks for stopping in and yes, I am interested in finding out what is under those rocks--always want to be learning.

Beckie, you are so lucky to have granddaughters to help you next year--yes, it was a real day--lots of fascinating posts on the net of what people found on several continents.

Jayne, I absolutely LOVED rolly pollys when I was a kid and when my kids were little but I haven't seen a single one since moving to Maine. So sad--these Maine children never have the fun of watching them roll up.

RuthieJ said...

I want to try this next year too.

Anonymous said...

Nice photo of the cruptic little tunnels!

Anonymous said...

Nice photo of the cruptic little tunnels!

Anonymous said...

I like the ant tunnels. Nice photo! We vacationed once in western Maine, on Lake Mooselookmeguntic (sp?). So beautiful.

Kathi said...

Welcome to IRFD! This was my first year, too, and I had the same problem - how to flip the rock, see something worth photographing, and take the picture all in am instant.

Having a kid around to flip the rocks for you sounds like a great plan.

~Kathi

Jen said...

I had far too many kids helping me--I'd be happy to share a few with you next year. Love the picture of the critter tunnels. It's so fascinating to see how they build! Thanks for sharing with us.

Anonymous said...

This might be an interesting pursuit, especially in Boulder, Colorado. Have a Good week

Pappy said...

I'm going to look for some rocks to flip for next year. Be sure to send me a reminder of the day. Pappy

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

I enjoyed this- I had not heard of Rock Flipping Day.
"Little subterranean highways."- I quite liked that turn of phrase. Who knew what poetry could come from under rocks and from the pens of rock flippers :)
I can't wait for next year's one from you!

Kathie Brown said...

I had never heard of this before but read an amusing post about it on Notes From the Cloud Messenger. It was hilarious! Your photo of subteranian tunnels is enchanting. I like to think that tiny gnomes made them instead. I can't wait for next year's post!