September 19

This morning, for my 3^rd encounter with Pine Creek, I’m on the Luce Rd. bridge, watching this watercourse flow slowly southwest toward Rainbow Lake, about a mile downstream. The skies are partly sunny with temperatures in the mid 50’s as I explore the bank, noticing a few Yellow Toadflax (Butter-and-Eggs) blossoms and a couple of Common Teasel plants, one still in bloom and one seeding out. The distinctive seed heads are popular in floral arrangements. Originally from Europe and northern Africa, this plant was first introduced to North America in the 1700's and has since spread from coast to coast. Working my way upstream, I first look down to the grassy ground where tiny leaves of a Virginia Creeper vine have turned bright red and then look up to see a Black Walnut tree displaying some green husks. After pausing to observe the placid creek surface, I explore the earthen trail while noticing some acorns of Bur Oak with their shaggy, bur-like coverings. Moving up the high bank, I spot blossoms of Bluestem Goldenrod and patches of Crown-tipped Coral mushrooms. These mushrooms can be eaten raw but are most often cooked as they can cause an upset stomach in some consumers. Descending a steep bank to the water’s edge, I see that the creek surface is completely covered with Duckweed which does block sunlight and inhibits algae growth. Algae produce oxygen and a sudden loss of algae means that fish can become stressed and die off. Walking along the floodplain, I spot white blossoms of Turtlehead. Native to North America, this plant is an important host for certain butterflies whose larvae feed on the leaves. It also attracts pollinators such a bees and hummingbirds. Working my way back toward the car, I’m not surprised to see a crawling Wooly Bear Caterpillar. This larva of an Isabella Tiger Moth (stock photo) will feed through the fall before going into a semi hibernation state through the winter.  Next spring it will pupate, form a cocoon and emerge as an adult moth. According to folklore, the wider the Woolly Bear's black bands, the longer, colder, snowier, and more severe the winter will be. Similarly, the wider the middle brown band, the milder the upcoming winter will be. However, the truth is the caterpillar's coloring is based on how long it has been feeding, its age, and species. The better the growing season, the wider the black bands on the ends and narrower brown band in its middle.  Also, the coloring indicates the age of the caterpillar.

 

Takes leaves of green

Gives us those of red

Takes a fading meadow

Gives us yellow instead

Takes a redwing’s song

Gives us a cricket’s call

Takes away summer

Gives us another fall

Seasonal transitions

Nature gives and takes

After months of sleep

Lady Autumn awakes

 

D. DeGraaf