Torri L. Thompson

 Rural Geometry Photography

The Mackinaw River, formerly known as the Mackinac, the Turtle, is also called the jewel of Illinois because it is one of the cleanest rivers in the state.  It is home to water snakes, carp (unfortunately), bass,  freshwater and snapping turtles, mud puppies, bullfrogs, sunfish, otters, beavers, and sometimes cattle.  The river is home to many kinds of mussels, with the most poetic of names:  Pink Slipper, Heel Splitter, Lilliput, Squawfoot, Mapleleaf,  Pimpleback,  Plain Pocketbook, Fat Mucket, Fragile Paper Shell, Paper Pondshell, Wabash Pigtoe, Buckhorn or Pistolgrip, Giant Floater, Three Ridge, and Pondhorn.  I lived with it in my backyard for 14 years.  It is a difficult river, always flooding or dried up.  Kayaking seemed like such a great idea before I understood the basic nature of the river.  But in spite of its non cooperation with my water intentions, I loved it and all that it was home to.