Pausing at the water’s edge, I watch the Pine River flow slowly through the lush summer landscape while listening to crickets and cars crossing over the Crystal Rd. bridge nearby. In the shallows, the posterior of a Green Frog is barely noticed while in the overhead vegetation, reddening Virginia Creeper leaves are a sign of the season to come. The early morning weather is mostly sunny and cool with a refreshing breeze from the west as I explore the surrounding open field, spotting a patch of flowering Bull Thistle as well as some Black-eyed Susan and Bergamot blossoms. Also catching my eye are blossoms of invasive Purple Loosestrife next to seed clusters of Nut Sedge. With no trail to follow, I hike west through tall dewy grass and come upon one of many lovely Cardinal flowers, a striking color contrast to the chlorophyll-rich background. As sunlight begins to illuminate leafy surfaces, I spot a gathering of Hover flies as well as a ¾-inch Robber Fly. This insect, also known as an Assassin Fly, preys on other insects like wasps, bees, dragonflies and other flies, often capturing them in midair. Its sharp proboscis is used to pierce their hard bodies and inject paralyzing venom. Digestive enzymes accompany the venom and turn the insides of their prey to liquid. Then, typical sucking action is used to ingest the liquefied contents. Finding my way over saturated muddy ground, I return to the river’s edge where sunlight also reflects off the glistening water. Glancing skyward, I watch the leaves of a tall Cottonwood tree rustle in the breeze while in the undergrowth, a ¼-inch Leafhopper crawls on a Nettle leaf. Leafhoppers are a large and diverse group of winged, sucking insects that attack many plants including Virginia creeper and Green Ash. Eggs are laid on the back of leaves, develop into small almost clear larvae that suck sap from leaves. Damage is seen mid-summer as mottled white speckling in blotches on a leaf (stock photo). Damage can be extensive and will weaken but seldom kill plants. Turning around, I make my way back toward the car where a few blossoms of Goldenrod are evident, another sign of the season to come. Near the car, I stop to watch a busy Bubble Bee feasting on a blossom of Evening Primrose. Finally, back in the car, I head for home.
Speak to me river flow
What’s your story? I want to know?
Many miles from your water source
What happened on your winding course?
Did some Mallards swim along?
Did your current sing its song?
Did you catch a falling tree?
Did you run fast and free?
What did you pass along the shore?
Perhaps a Heron about to soar
Throughout these summer days
Pine River, I admire your ways
D. DeGraaf
Thought you were at Beaver Island ?
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Thank you.
ReplyDelete