Wetlands in the Bronx? An interesting collection of debris... →[More:]

I just got back from taking some kiddies at my school on a field trip. I was helping the science teacher out, filling in on one of a series of visits the seniors are making to the East River in the Bronx. Of course, the East River is not what immediately comes to my mind when I think of wetlands. There was, however, this narrow strip of remaining wetland grasses amongst the debris of broken bricks and kitchen tile; a hunk of chimney; rusted engine; various belts and hoses; the requisite beer and liquor bottles; a used panty liner (yuk); and one, I kid you not, goat skull poised on a rock, alla Georgia O'keeffe.

What lives in these wetlands, you ask? Mostly snails (we held races; my snail placed third).

I must say, though, I did learn a lot, about mud flats and indicator species and all, and both the students and I enjoyed being out of the classroom on such a fine spring day.

Addendum: Yesterday, someone shit in the elevator at the Fordham MetroNorth station. Usually, it just reeks of piss. Looked like two large shit meatballs, with shit sauce.

*sigh*