Handsome Mussels

It's always exciting to be walking along a shore and find shells - whether it is an ocean beach or a river bank.  Around here, you can find freshwater mussels.  The trick to further enjoyment is learning to identify them.

As I have tried to master this task, I have delighted in their odd and descriptive names:  Washboard, Spike, Elktoe, Ebonyshell, Sheepnose, Wabash Pigtoe, Pistolgrip, and my personal favorite - the Purple Wartyback.

I haven't yet learned to identify them, so I'm just sharing some pictures of mussels here as things of beauty.

And yes, I can't help but add a little etymological nugget.  As you might guess, "mussel" comes from the word "muscle", but THAT word comes from the Latin "musculus" which means "little mouse".  How's that for cute?