unidentified object

[DTro]

my wife and I were canoeing in the back of a bay on Vermilion this weekend and happened upon an object floating. At first glance it appeared to be some weird plant. I hit it with the paddle and it made a dull thud, so I picked it up with the paddle. I have no idea what this could have been.... plant, animal?? All of the sudden the stench hit me, and I just about tossed my cookies.
Any ideas?

[minneman]

that is part of a root from the lillypads.

[Surface Tension]

LOL
I have the same roots floating around in my lake. Some are 8' long. I tell the kids they're anacondas.

[LocalGuide]

LOL, I can see a kid get all scared b/c they think its going to eat them!

Yep its a good Ole lillypad root. They sure are ugly things.

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And keep those hooks sharp!

[Gissert]

Did you happen to notice if there was any beaver activity in the vicinity? Beavers LOVE to dig those up and eat them.

[DTro]

yes, actually we paddled back in an incoming creek and came upon a huge beaver den. What really puzzled me though was the smell. Like a dozen leeches left out in the sun for a week.

[Gissert]

That picture looks like the root had been floating for a while, it looks soft and grey. The smell was probably just decay.

When they are fresh, the color is much brighter and they are quite firm.

[jonny_redhorse]

When you see moose in the shallows, it's what they're chompin on also......bet they have some bad breath..lol!

[gundy89]

"Doodie!" - CaddyShack

[psegriz]

I've heard though never tried they can be eaten. I have a friend who claims he's tried wine made out of them. I'd be more interested in the wine than eating, I'll let the muskrats eat them

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Ice is coming soon!!
GRIZ

[The Grebe]

The precursor to "Alien" that is one nasty looking root!

I've seen them before, knew what they were, but never seen one that big?

Do they bite?

[jonny_redhorse]

thing looks more animal then plant...lol!...should have teeth on one end of it..lol!

[Deputy Grizz]

Put some hooks in it and try fer muskie!