‘Nature bling’ is free for the taking
You need not be a millionaire.
If you have a hankering to have some outdoor fun, a truckload of coin is not a prerequisite.
This is the season of the year to cabbage onto some free jewelry. Get outside. Do a search in the natural world. There’s enough “nature bling” out there for both yourself and all of your friends.
First off, do a search of the forest floor. In particular, try to confine your exploration to those areas that are at the base of cottonwood trees — those tall forest monarchs that stand head and shoulders above all the rest of the woodland trees.
Cottonwood trees are especially susceptible to spring season wind storm damage. The wind-tossed branches will come crashing to the ground; all the better for you, because these tree limbs hold the treasure for which you are seeking.
The branch tips will be festooned with oodles of seed capsule strings. They look not unlike swollen English peas all arranged on a string. All that is required of you to do is tie three or four of these end to end, and you’ll, PRESTO! CHANGE-O!, have your own nature necklace.
Oh, sure; it’s not a string of pearls, but who is going to pour cold water on your parade? In your eyes, it will be jewelry worthy of the Queen of Sheba!
You are sure to be the envy of the neighborhood as you take the opportunity to show off your unique jewelry to those who were not already aware that fantastic necklaces are out there in the natural world — free for the taking!
— Neil Garrison, NewsOK Contributor Neil Garrison was the longtime naturalist at a central Oklahoma nature center.