Did you hear about the recent study that indicated that women are more attracted to men with muscles than without? Big news, to be sure. But I have recently found myself drawn to another sort of mussel. Freshwater mussels, commonly called clams by most folks who happen upon their empty shells, are fascinating critters of North American streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. Fascinating? you may be thinking... Yes. I have been dragging home armloads of mussel shells ever since I found a little book called, "Field Guide to the Freshwater Mussels of Minnesota" at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. For a mere $9.95 the book was mine, and it has changed my life. Now, before I continue, let me make it very clear that this blog is entirely written by the Cherokee Conservation Director. Certain of my employees are mortified that you might mistakenly assume they have any part in these crazy ramblings. A great website for you to use to bring mussels into your life is http://www.fws.gov/midwest/mussel/species.html.

Check out the anatomy of mussels and prepare to be amazed by the many subtle differences between species. Even if you really don't "get it" you'll appreciate the pearly irridescence of the shells of deceased mussels. They are often found on sandbars along Iowa rivers, including the Little Sioux, in piles discarded by muskrats and otters. These piles are called middens. It's like the pile of peanut shells under a bar stool. Or the rib bones in the middle of the table on Thursdays at noon at Danny's in Cherokee. But each empty shell might represent a different species of soft bodied, bi-valved, bottom dwelling creature whose life cycle is unique and intricately linked to the health of the water in which it lives. What will I do with this new appreciation for mussels? Maybe I'll find evidence of a protected species, elevating the need to protect the waters in which it lives. Maybe I'll just succeed at absorbing more useless information. I think it's better than an ability to quote Seinfeld or recall Superbowl statistics from the 1980s. You may disagree. These are the subtle differences between us.