Wild Food Foraging In The Swamp

There is something otherworldly about a swamp, equally eerie and beautiful; this is one of my favorite places to spend time. The floating log islands are a unique ecosystem of mosses and water loving plants, home to an array of small insects, frogs, pond shrimp, leeches, and the occasional moose. In the spring the whole swamp turns golden with the beauty of thousands of pond lily flowers and it’s easy to waste away entire days hoping from log to log, photographing flowers.
Cattails are a wild edible and favorite foraging food of mine. You can gently slip the young leaves away from the stalk and eat the tender ends. They have a light, fresh flavor, reminiscent of cucumber, can be eaten fresh, tossed in salads, or as shown here, marinated in an oil and vinegar dressing with wild spruce tips for several days. Be sure to enjoy them in the great outdoors beside a cracking fire!
Thanks for watching, subscribe and share if you would like to see more.
Remember, every day is an opportunity to do good, be kind, and make something beautiful.
Until next time...
-Iris

[@Themandogh]

So beautiful and relaxing

[@gerdzragz6846]

Wow enchanted place

[@IrisGardner]

We’re lucky to live where we do! 😊

[@FreedomandBaconHomestead]

Beautiful and fun!

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! 🌲

[@daniellc5160]

👍just great👍

[@IrisGardner]

🥰

[@dave7ization]

calming relaxing & very well shot film

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks so much for watching! 🌲

[@chitrachannelvlog4822]

neven seen a swamp so pristine, clean

[@IrisGardner]

We’re lucky to have it nearby!

[@aryangoudarzi]

Beautiful video 😍
I enjoy the good feeling of your videos!

[@IrisGardner]

Thank you so much!

[@ahorseman4ever1]

Beautifully done, that wet weather reminds me of today. Even though we have been smelling smoke every day I long for my controlled camp fire.

[@christiana7021]

We haven't had rainfall here in over 12 weeks. THIS is therapeutic on every single level of the human experience. Thank you.

[@IrisGardner]

Oh that’s rough. That’s what it was like when we lived in SoCal, and also a large part of why we moved. Rain is life. 🌧

[@ryanmortimer9237]

I love this! Something so soothing and relaxing.

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks so much Ryan! 🥰

[@ivanradun3345]

What a peacefull video, you have a wonderfull environement with an handwome familly. Take care and thx for this beautifull video :)

[@IrisGardner]

You are so kind. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@ariiiii10000]

this is such a beautiful video, and looks like it was a great day. the shots of you on the grass islands are so cool! and the cattails look delicious. new ecosystem goal to visit, i love a swamp and this is a top tier one

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks Ari, It’s such an amazing ecosystem, so different from the forest where I spend most of my time. Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@robinwatkins6775]

This must be Claiborne parish?
Topography tells .
I love ýour artful creativity that nature has given to bring the bounty to mindfully harvest foraging.

[@IrisGardner]

Thank you Robin! This is actually Northeastern Washington state.

[@actiondisplays]

Where are you guys? Your vid is stunning! Gorgeous, simply gorgeous!

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks so much! We’re in North eastern Washington state.

[@CA164530]

Magical!

[@jrl95]

So real and pure! I feel like I’m there! Can’t wait for more videos .

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks so much Jorge, really glad you enjoyed it! 🌲

[@der345cal]

Loving these. Beautiful job.

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks Michael. I’m glad you’re enjoying them. 🥰

[@pault950]

Iris your content and simplicity is really something. There is something very wholesome about your approach. Truly enjoy your social media , keep up the great work. This world needs more of it,,,,

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks so much for the great feedback Paul, I really appreciate it! 🥰🌲

[@johnroberts7961]

Your videos are the perfect slice of home; never thought a wet day in a swamp looked so necessary. And those bloopers are a great addition as well--hilarious.

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks John! Hope you all are settling in well over there. Send pics when that baby is born!

[@johnroberts7961]

@@IrisGardner Will Do!

[@warriorgospel8168]

Love it

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks for watching! 💫

[@livinthedreamohyeah4268]

Loved the video! Beautiful scenery, beautiful family! Not buying in on that swamp food!! Lol

[@IrisGardner]

Haha, I promise it’s not “swampy” at all. 😆 thanks so much for watching. 🥰

[@jackiebou]

Someone else said it first but it’s so true. It’s therapeutic! I feel my shoulders relaxing and my jaw unclenching. Those cats are gorgeous and you should adopt the foxes too!

[@IrisGardner]

Awesome, glad you liked it! Those are actually baby coyotes, and I would be happy to adopt them, but sadly they’d probably rather stay where they’re at. 😊

[@earthcentric8032]

where did you get your hatchet from? looks beautiful

[@IrisGardner]

This is a Half Face Blades tomahawk. They do beautiful work.

[@RickSeigmund01]

Are the cattails anything line leeks? They look similar. Good stuff, as always Iris!

[@IrisGardner]

I suppose you could cook them like leeks, though they are very mild with no allium flavor.

[@RM-vw3ov]

Oh this is wonderful! More please! And please share your recipe for the bulrush and spruce tip preserve!

[@ArvidTheViking]

Solid editing! 👌

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks Arvid
😊

[@Zajuts149]

So soothing. Love the editing. So many beautiful nature shots. I wonder what happened to the beaver.

[@IrisGardner]

Thanks, I’m glad you found it enjoyable! I don’t think this particular beaver lodge is used any longer, but there are other beavers just up stream with newer lodges.

[@romanfernandez9350]

The way a happy ending is lived

[@IrisGardner]

🥰