I enjoy trekking through thick terrain in places where few have traveled. Today, while looking for snakes, I came across some pottery, similar to pottery I've seen before out there. I decided to take a picture to see if anyone had a good opinion about it.
I just wonder about its origin because it is in the middle of nowhere in the Washington State forest. I have found other pottery shards before.
Also, an unrelated question, what are the mounds I see in the forests? They are typically a foot or so high and are more of a yellow-colored sand as opposed to the white sand around it. I wondered if it were some sort of ant type hill (but there are no ants) or from the diggings of a gopher tortoise. I did find several tortoise holes in the area.
As far as the pottery, there were no markings or insignia. There were just the verticle lines and the lip at the top. I hope the picture I took shows up well enough.
By the way, I found some healthy cottonmouth today and yesterday. Yesterday I kayaked deep into Camp Creek through the flooded timber in the back to where the creek opens up again and found a huge, huge mocassin. I also played like Tarzan crossing the creek when I could no longer navigate through the thick vegetation. It would have looked great on film.
Anyway, here is the pottery.
Replies
27
Beach Fanatic
I enjoy trekking through thick terrain in places where few have traveled. Today, while looking for snakes, I came across some pottery, similar to pottery I've seen before out there. I decided to take a picture to see if anyone had a good opinion about it.
I just wonder about its origin because it is in the middle of nowhere in the Washington State forest. I have found other pottery shards before.
Also, an unrelated question, what are the mounds I see in the forests? They are typically a foot or so high and are more of a yellow-colored sand as opposed to the white sand around it. I wondered if it were some sort of ant type hill (but there are no ants) or from the diggings of a gopher tortoise. I did find several tortoise holes in the area.
As far as the pottery, there were no markings or insignia. There were just the verticle lines and the lip at the top. I hope the picture I took shows up well enough.
By the way, I found some healthy cottonmouth today and yesterday. Yesterday I kayaked deep into Camp Creek through the flooded timber in the back to where the creek opens up again and found a huge, huge mocassin. I also played like Tarzan crossing the creek when I could no longer navigate through the thick vegetation. It would have looked great on film.
Anyway, here is the pottery.
Isn't it funn finding treasures? We loved your post and are wondering ... is that a [FONT=arial,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]turpentine[/SIZE][/FONT] pot?
Beach Fanatic
Check out this link to Walton Outdoors
SoWal Insider
Isn't it funn finding treasures? We loved your post and are wondering ... is that a [FONT=arial,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]turpentine[/SIZE][/FONT] pot?
Banned
I enjoy trekking through thick terrain in places where few have traveled. Today, while looking for snakes, I came across some pottery, similar to pottery I've seen before out there. I decided to take a picture to see if anyone had a good opinion about it.
I just wonder about its origin because it is in the middle of nowhere in the Washington State forest. I have found other pottery shards before.
Also, an unrelated question, what are the mounds I see in the forests? They are typically a foot or so high and are more of a yellow-colored sand as opposed to the white sand around it. I wondered if it were some sort of ant type hill (but there are no ants) or from the diggings of a gopher tortoise. I did find several tortoise holes in the area.
As far as the pottery, there were no markings or insignia. There were just the verticle lines and the lip at the top. I hope the picture I took shows up well enough.
By the way, I found some healthy cottonmouth today and yesterday. Yesterday I kayaked deep into Camp Creek through the flooded timber in the back to where the creek opens up again and found a huge, huge mocassin. I also played like Tarzan crossing the creek when I could no longer navigate through the thick vegetation. It would have looked great on film.
Anyway, here is the pottery.
I like it back there in Camp Creek. It gets kinda interesting back there as it narrows. My kids and I got to visit with a 40 lb. alligator in the back half. Did you get a picture of the cottonmouth? Did it chase you at all? The adult seem aggressive to me.
Did you kick the top off any of those hills? I've been noticing some ants abandoning hills after controlled burns.
SoWal Expert
good call on the turpentine pot. I bet you are on to something with that. The hole was probably used to hang it onto the tree by rope or nail.
Beach Lover
Mystery solved...
My inquisitive wife will be glad to know that there's not a malicious band of pottery thieves roaming Walton County. We saw huge piles of these while hiking part of the Florida trail recently (from 331 going West into Eglin AFB between Freeport and Defuniak Springs). She's worried herself silly trying to figure out who, what, why...
My inquisitive wife will be glad to know that there's not a malicious band of pottery thieves roaming Walton County. We saw huge piles of these while hiking part of the Florida trail recently (from 331 going West into Eglin AFB between Freeport and Defuniak Springs). She's worried herself silly trying to figure out who, what, why...
Edited
Beach FanaticAuthor
I made sure to have the hole visible for that reason, in case it would provide an indication of its use. Shelly seems to have a viable answer. And AA absolute, the area where I see those hills is in an area that was burned, not recently, but within the last couple years I'd guess. So it may in fact be abandoned ant hills.
As far as the moccasin, no, they have not been aggressive, but they've been fast. I have gotten pics of them, although the pics aren't up to my standards. I finally had to buy an underwater camera and, well, I'm holding out judgement on it. But the moccasin are opening their mouths as they do when confronted. But the biggest yesterday took off immediately down into a labyrinth of cypress that I'm sure he had as an exit route. I always feel bad when I make them go into the cold water or away from where they were. After all, they're trying to get some sun. Funny, the girls I view sunning on the beach have the same reaction to me
I was happy to find the gopher tortoise holes today. I noticed next to two of them was a spike in the ground (maybe Shelly will have a pic of that too
But I wonder if the biologists put that out there to mark the tortoise sites. The spike was red and white, I think, and had a tag on it with a number. Perhaps the forest staff gps those sites and do research. Do you know the black material that you often see roadside around construction that stands a foot or so high? I notice it out near the swamps in the forest, often with burns adjacent to it. Recently I found some 'traps' alongside that black standing material. I was told that the biologists trap whatever gets in there for study of some kind.
2bohemians, thanks so much for your kind words. I enjoy my time in the woods. I recently went north of Panama City (I hated the traffic lights through PC and going up hyw 77-ugh) and found some great ponds to kayak and fish. But I need more. I've spent nearly a year behind my house in the forest and around 30-A and while I still love it, I'd love to mix it up a bit. I've thought of heading to Eglin to look for Eastern Diamondback but I still wonder if it would have more oppportunity to find the snakes than here in the forest. I wish I knew a good herpatologist around here to direct me. And what about the dunes on Okaloosa island between the road and bay? I wonder if the Eastern's are in there.
Btw, I've noticed those trees (terpintine) for some time but never knew why they looked the way they did until recently. I'm glad I found out. Very interesting. And thanks, Shelly, for the pic. Of course, you ruined my fanatsy of the pottery belonging to a great tribal Indian Chief who would come to me in my sleep and grant me any wish I desired. But don't feel bad. I'll create another fantasy
As far as the moccasin, no, they have not been aggressive, but they've been fast. I have gotten pics of them, although the pics aren't up to my standards. I finally had to buy an underwater camera and, well, I'm holding out judgement on it. But the moccasin are opening their mouths as they do when confronted. But the biggest yesterday took off immediately down into a labyrinth of cypress that I'm sure he had as an exit route. I always feel bad when I make them go into the cold water or away from where they were. After all, they're trying to get some sun. Funny, the girls I view sunning on the beach have the same reaction to me
I was happy to find the gopher tortoise holes today. I noticed next to two of them was a spike in the ground (maybe Shelly will have a pic of that too
But I wonder if the biologists put that out there to mark the tortoise sites. The spike was red and white, I think, and had a tag on it with a number. Perhaps the forest staff gps those sites and do research. Do you know the black material that you often see roadside around construction that stands a foot or so high? I notice it out near the swamps in the forest, often with burns adjacent to it. Recently I found some 'traps' alongside that black standing material. I was told that the biologists trap whatever gets in there for study of some kind. 2bohemians, thanks so much for your kind words. I enjoy my time in the woods. I recently went north of Panama City (I hated the traffic lights through PC and going up hyw 77-ugh) and found some great ponds to kayak and fish. But I need more. I've spent nearly a year behind my house in the forest and around 30-A and while I still love it, I'd love to mix it up a bit. I've thought of heading to Eglin to look for Eastern Diamondback but I still wonder if it would have more oppportunity to find the snakes than here in the forest. I wish I knew a good herpatologist around here to direct me. And what about the dunes on Okaloosa island between the road and bay? I wonder if the Eastern's are in there.
Btw, I've noticed those trees (terpintine) for some time but never knew why they looked the way they did until recently. I'm glad I found out. Very interesting. And thanks, Shelly, for the pic. Of course, you ruined my fanatsy of the pottery belonging to a great tribal Indian Chief who would come to me in my sleep and grant me any wish I desired. But don't feel bad. I'll create another fantasy
Beach FanaticAuthor
Check out this link to Walton Outdoors
Yep, in the link you provided, those two pots were identical to the one I found in the forest today. Definately a turpentine pot. Great work. I'll tell anyone, I have the best research team around. Go ahead and sleep in tomorrow before reporting in. You deserve it
Beach Fanatic
I made sure to have the hole visible for that reason, in case it would provide an indication of its use. Shelly seems to have a viable answer. And AA absolute, the area where I see those hills is in an area that was burned, not recently, but within the last couple years I'd guess. So it may in fact be abandoned ant hills.
As far as the moccasin, no, they have not been aggressive, but they've been fast. I have gotten pics of them, although the pics aren't up to my standards. I finally had to buy an underwater camera and, well, I'm holding out judgement on it. But the moccasin are opening their mouths as they do when confronted. But the biggest yesterday took off immediately down into a labyrinth of cypress that I'm sure he had as an exit route. I always feel bad when I make them go into the cold water or away from where they were. After all, they're trying to get some sun. Funny, the girls I view sunning on the beach have the same reaction to me
I was happy to find the gopher tortoise holes today. I noticed next to two of them was a spike in the ground (maybe Shelly will have a pic of that too
2bohemians, thanks so much for your kind words. I enjoy my time in the woods. I recently went north of Panama City (I hated the traffic lights through PC and going up hyw 77-ugh) and found some great ponds to kayak and fish. But I need more. I've spent nearly a year behind my house in the forest and around 30-A and while I still love it, I'd love to mix it up a bit. I've thought of heading to Eglin to look for Eastern Diamondback but I still wonder if it would have more oppportunity to find the snakes than here in the forest. I wish I knew a good herpatologist around here to direct me. And what about the dunes on Okaloosa island between the road and bay? I wonder if the Eastern's are in there.
Btw, I've noticed those trees (terpintine) for some time but never knew why they looked the way they did until recently. I'm glad I found out. Very interesting. And thanks, Shelly, for the pic. Of course, you ruined my fanatsy of the pottery belonging to a great tribal Indian Chief who would come to me in my sleep and grant me any wish I desired. But don't feel bad. I'll create another fantasy
oh, mca you're a funny guy. good luck with your sssnake sssearching.
SWGB
Back to these mounds you found, did they look organic or somehow uniform or man made?
Beach Fanatic
Yep, in the link you provided, those two pots were identical to the one I found in the forest today. Definately a turpentine pot. Great work. I'll tell anyone, I have the best research team around. Go ahead and sleep in tomorrow before reporting in. You deserve it
Now go out and find more treasures for us to report on!Beach FanaticAuthor
Back to these mounds you found, did they look organic or somehow uniform or man made?
Mmmm, I'm thinking here. I have a hard time thinking they were man-made. I almost took a picture which would have helped. I am of the belief that it may have been abandoned ant piles. It is sand, but not white, more yellow. I dug down into one and it ended up being more dirt maybe about 6-9 inches below the surface. Well, 6 inches or so...you know, men aren't always accurate with those types of measurements.
Perhaps if you gave me a good reason the mounds could be man-made it might make me analyze it differently, but I just don't see that. It must be 'organic,' although I doubt Publix will be selling it in produce anytime soon. And they are everywhere in ceratin areas. In the burn area I was discussing, they are littered. There may be 30 or 40 in a small area. Each may be only a few feet between one another. But not uniform.
Regarding the gopher holes- they were not always easy to spot because they had leaves covering the hole. I used a stick to 'leaf' them out and the holes were spectacular creations. Well, that's my take on it. I got nervouse when I'd come up on one because I suspected there might be a rattler sunning in the vicinity.
Gayboi, I like your posts. You offer informative ones and are well thought out and respectful, which is not a given. I appreciate it. Btw, where'd you get that picture of me you've been using as your profile pic? That was before my last binge eating/comfort food ordeal, but I expect my abs to be showing again fairly soon
SWGB
Thanks for the response, I was just curious if these were some kind of marker or Indian artifact.
Thanks for the compliment. As to the photo they are just random pics I find on the internet.
Thanks for the compliment. As to the photo they are just random pics I find on the internet.
Banned
What was I thinking. Peace.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Why wait to stumble onto an Indian Chief spirit while Obama is granting wishes on a regular basis?
Thinking this remark is better suited for the Political Forum. We were enjoying a nice little treasure hunting / finding thread that had nothing to do with anything but nature, discovery, sharing and pure fun ....
Please let's not inject politics into every discussion. Not trying to single you out .... but can't we just enjoy a few of the simple things in this world?
Beach Fanatic
Check out this link to Walton Outdoors
Great work at finding this.....very impressive!
Beach Fanatic
I've thought of heading to Eglin to look for Eastern Diamondback but I still wonder if it would have more oppportunity to find the snakes than here in the forest. I wish I knew a good herpatologist around here to direct me. And what about the dunes on Okaloosa island between the road and bay? I wonder if the Eastern's are in there.The guys at the Mosquito control used to come to the end of Monitgo St. in Seagrove to catch snakes for presentations at the local schools. I used to live on that road and can remember ALOT of diamondbacks in that area. We killed one that was about 4 or 5 ft. long when it decided to take up resdence under the front steps and even attempted to come on up on the porch several times. Before anyone gets irate about it being killed...I had 2 toddlers at the time and it had bitten my dog. Hubby hates snakes and was NOT taking any chances on it getting one of the kids.
Beach Fanatic
There will be a new interpretive and demonstration at Topsail Hill State Preserve on Feb. 21
Learn About Turpentining Feb. 21 | Welcome to Walton Outdoors
Learn About Turpentining Feb. 21 | Welcome to Walton Outdoors
Beach Fanatic
I am really happy for you MCAJ. What a great discovery. There is a lot to find out in the woods and dunes of SoWal. Let us know what else you uncover!!!
Beach Fanatic
Display of turpentine pots
There is a nice display of the different varieties of turpentine pots along with a bit of history at the Coastal Branch Library.
There is a nice display of the different varieties of turpentine pots along with a bit of history at the Coastal Branch Library.
Beach Fanatic
Incredibly lucky to have found a turpentine pot! I probably would have passed out.
If you want rattlers, hang out in the state forest/St Joe land near East Point Washington Road and poke around under palmetto bushes. Carefully.
The woods south of Freeport are also ripe with them, but I can't think of any places that aren't private property.
If you want rattlers, hang out in the state forest/St Joe land near East Point Washington Road and poke around under palmetto bushes. Carefully.
The woods south of Freeport are also ripe with them, but I can't think of any places that aren't private property.
Beach FanaticAuthor
How long ago did the practice of collecting the goo from the trees stop in the forests in those pots? Hey, I had a neat sighting yesterday.
Yesterday I went ino the woods and ended up finding a tiny creek that I hadn't found before. I followed it for some time before coming to the conclusion that it must be the creek that led into Eastern Lake. I was right.
Ay one point I was on a log that crossed the creek. I heard something and looked up to see an otter trudging along through the water, over limbs and around obstructions. I turned on the log and fumbled to get my camera out, hoping the otter wouldn't notice me and would come right up to me before noticing my extremely attractive frame. Well, apparently it notcied me because when I turned back around, it was making a turn and heading away.
I jumped from the log onto the side of the bank. Well, into, rather than onto. It was like quicksand and down to about half calf I went. Unfortunately, because the previous day had resulted in wet tennis shoes after falling into camp creek, I was in my good pair. Question? Do I just put them into the washer? Btw, no shot of the otter on camera.
Yesterday I went ino the woods and ended up finding a tiny creek that I hadn't found before. I followed it for some time before coming to the conclusion that it must be the creek that led into Eastern Lake. I was right.
Ay one point I was on a log that crossed the creek. I heard something and looked up to see an otter trudging along through the water, over limbs and around obstructions. I turned on the log and fumbled to get my camera out, hoping the otter wouldn't notice me and would come right up to me before noticing my extremely attractive frame. Well, apparently it notcied me because when I turned back around, it was making a turn and heading away.
I jumped from the log onto the side of the bank. Well, into, rather than onto. It was like quicksand and down to about half calf I went. Unfortunately, because the previous day had resulted in wet tennis shoes after falling into camp creek, I was in my good pair. Question? Do I just put them into the washer? Btw, no shot of the otter on camera.
Beach Fanatic
I've washed tennis shoes. I tried to insert a few of my pictures of a turpentine display from the Walton County History Fair in 2006. Still need to figure out how to capture name to put in box so I can insert. In the meantime, you can go to my picture album. There are four "turpentine" pictures. I might have to do some more work on my album before you can see it. Maybe tomorrow.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
i've washed tennis shoes also, my mom used to wash my tretorns and keds all the time. she would let them dry in front of the refrigerator. you can also put them in a pillow case tie it up and dry them in the dryer, however the toes of the shoes may curl up, that happened to a pair of my new balance.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
If they are fabric, douse the shoes in Shout really well, and wash with a couple of old towels. I'm always afraid to put them in the dryer and so let mine air-dry, but I take it that if you did that, you would be barefoot for a couple of days -
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