Why Do We Do This?

[Nana40]

It's so hot in Alabama. Lisa and I went out this morning to hunt a new site. It's the lower end of an old orchard. The dirt had been moved around to smooth out the terraces so lots of stuff found scattered everywhere. Could be a modern cent at six inches or an old buckle right under the grass. As I was walking along, sweat pooling up in my sunglasses, my clothes feeling all yucky and sticking to me, my skin was all stinky from the mosquito spray and no real keepers to speak of, I asked myself, "Why in the heck do I think this is any kind of fun?" :P Then I reminded myself that nothing is gained by sitting around and not going on an adventure! I wouldn't have seen all the neat things I have seen over the past couple of years nor met all the new friends I have made along the way or found all this stuff I call my collection. Today I found a miner's tag...I once called them 'cow tags'..but thanks to MonDak and Lisa I now know what they really are.
Also found a neat button with a ship on it and a 1971 'New Penny' from England. A small bit of change and a smashed ring.

And all the junque...

Here a pic of one of those big ole red and black fuzzy ants. He was running around so fast it was difficult to get a good picture..

Lisa found this stone at the corner of the property and we assume it's a boundry marker? Has some kind of writing on it...

Last week we hunted a couple of places and nothing spectacular found..but had fun just the same. I'm thinking the round thing with the basket weave design is silver, but it's not marked.

So. Why do you hunt?

Nana

 

[DETREASUREHNTR]

Nice finds Nana! I found one of those red whatevers the other day and had never seen one before.-HH

 

[nc-joe]

Common Name: Red velvet ant or "cow killer"
Scientific Name: Dasymutilla occidentalis (Linnaeus)
Order: Hymenoptera
Description: These insects are wasps, not ants. Females are wingless and covered with dense hair, superficially resembling ants. The red velvet-ant is the largest velvet-ant species, reaching about 3/4 inch in length. They are black overall with patches of dense orange-red hair on the thorax and abdomen. Males are similar but have wings and can not sting.

The cool thing is, if you get too close to them, they HISS really loud!

 

[treasuretrucker]

i was out detecting in florida at a school the other day and i also saw a strange looking ant,can anyone tell me what kind of ant this is?

 

[ashleen]

So. Why do you hunt?

Nana

umm..................
'cuz there's something lacking in my character,
and I'm always looking for something for nothing :P :P

 

[lucky1777]

I do it because I look cool wearing headphones. Congrats on a couple nice finds Nana....

 

[DANGLANGLEY]

The day before I was born my family was arrowhead hunting in 5 different counties. Mom said that's the reason I was 2 months early. I guess I came by all this honestly. I started metal detecting at around age 15. My dad bought a Garrett Deep Seeker and I used it and got hooked on it right in my own yard. After a buffalo nickel and a 1945 silver nickel there was no turning back. I used his detector till I found enough to sell to buy my own. I'm 47 now and I never want to quit metal detecting, arrowhead hunting, cave exploring, flea markets, auctions, yard sales and the list goes on. You just never know what's going to turn up next. I keep my eyes to the ground everywhere I go, even while I'm driving. I've found a lot of goodies laying right in the road. Looking at all of the nice stuff you all find just pours gasoline on my fire. I need a fix right now but it's bed time. Maybe Saturday... You all have a good one

 

[mtbiker]

Great finds!!!!!!! Why do I do this It's the thrill of it all!!!!! HH!!!!!

 

[Nana40]

Hey! I really enjoyed reading all the replies, ya'll! And I agree. Well....with most of you. :P I don't look so good with the headphones on! Thanks for the ID on the ant 'wasp' too! I have seen them before years back, but never knew what they were called and for sure never thought it would be a wasp! Glad I didn't touch it!

Have a great weekend! Nana~

 

[ivan salis]

uh a word to the wize --those "wasp" ants aren't nicked named "cow killers" for nothing---their (the females) bite is horribly painful---you 've been warned--- Ivan

 

[treasuretrucker]

those are much more painful then a regular wasp.i grew up in crystal river area of florida and we had those all over.i remember when i was a kid i got stung by one of those on my right foot,then stepped on a stinging nettle with my left foot while heading to the house in agony from my wasp sting,talk about a bad day for thos that dont know the dangers us florida people face a stinging nettle is a little white flower with tiny needles full of a milky substance that stings when stepped on and burns for hours.yes my friends,florida is paradise

 

[River Rat]

Why do we do this? For the thrill of it all!!

Congrats on your finds, Nana. BTW, we have those anty/waspy things here too.

RR

 

[dave-enc]

nice finds nana wtg
hh
dave+bobbie

 

[Nana40]

uh a word to the wize --those "wasp" ants aren't nicked named "cow killers" for nothing---their (the females) bite is horribly painful---you 've been warned--- Ivan

And I will heed that warning, Ivan! Thanks!

Outch, TT!

Thanks ya'll! Nana