Earlier in the week I learned that today was to be International Rock Flipping Day.
It was misting rain off and on this afternoon but, eager to join in the fun, I finally went out late in the afternoon armed with a camera and a pair of gloves to see what I could find. I decided ahead of time to avoid any rocks that appeared to be next to an antbed or which might cover any other critter that might sting or bite me. I also decided to tackle only rock that I could flip with my hands so I left the pry bar and other tools in the shed.
My first destination was a pile of rock that I had dumped several months back. A friend at our church hadn’t liked the rocks that a previous homeowner had used to line her circular drive, so I had carted off about five pickup loads of red sandstone with the idea that I would eventually find a use for them. I picked out a medium sized one at the edge of the pile and flipped it over. Nothing. Same with the second. Probably they hadn’t been there long enough or maybe it was because they were actually sitting on a bed of caliche instead of dirt.
I decided to pick a rock out in the woods. I found one that was partially buried and this time I was rewarded with a cockroach.
I decided to try flipping one more rock. Around a grouping of small oaks we have an irregular flower bed that is edged with rocks. It was there before we bought the place and we’ve never disturbed it. I picked a stone at random and lifted it up. What I found here was a network of small white roots seeking the moisture.
So no surprises and no great finds. That’s the way things are sometimes.
Comments (6)
What a flippin drag, no surprise.. but didn’t it rock?
tee hee. I enjoyed rock flipping day too.
The phrase ‘rewarded with a cockroach’ cracked me up, Bill. Thanks to you and Salix tree for telling me about this fun idea.
But I didn’t see you listed over at Negativa – it’s amazing how many people did this worldwide.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Glad you could join in the fun, Bill. Considering you’re in Texas, though, I would’ve expected somethig a bit more… dramatic. And, you know, BIG.
Well, I might could have found a copperhead if I had really been trying. And I know where there are some fireants. But I was playing it safe.
What a neat idea! If only I had checked your blog a few days earlier…
Oh well. I guess I can still flip a rock even if it’s not the right day
Any word on if this will happen next year too?
One word of advise to all you rock-flippers: be sure and flip it back over when you’re done. Critters live under there you know.
Cricket? Or do you think of them as cockroaches?
Looks like a male, the females have the long ‘tail’ – the ovipositor that she lays her eggs through.