October 17

The noontime temperatures are in the mid 50’s, under sunny skies as I stand on the Grant Rd. bridge watching Pine Creek water flow slowly toward its confluence with the Maple River, some 7 miles to the south. Exploring the bank below, I come upon a 16-inch, well-decomposed carcass of a Common Carp. This species was introduced to North America as a sport and food fish during the middle of the 19th century. In the US, carp was farmed by private interests as well as by state and federal fish-and-game authorities. The fish spread quickly and by the 20th century it became an invasive nuisance species competing with native species for food and living space. Also, it uprooted aquatic vegetation, which increased the cloudiness (turbidity) of rivers and lakes. Nearby, I spot a ½-inch Boxelder Bug resting on an Aspen leaf. At this time of year these insects become gregarious and congregate on the south side of rocks, trees and buildings where the sun hits. After large masses gather, they migrate to nearby buildings or homes to overwinter. In the spring they emerge from hibernation when the Boxelder tree buds open. They first feed on fallen boxelder seeds and later move to the female boxelder trees or maple trees where they eat newly developing leaves. Boxelder bugs are not known to bite, but their piercing-sucking mouthparts can occasionally puncture skin, causing a slight irritation and producing a red spot like a mosquito bite. Also, near the ground, I come upon a ¼-inch Winter Cranefly fluttering about. Up ahead, I watch a ¼ inch winged Carpenter Ant crawl rapidly up a dead tree trunk as it passes several pea-size holes made by Carpenter Bees (stock photo). On my way back to the car, I almost step on a 1-inch Garden Slug moving slowly over the ground. Near the car, I spot a Wild Cucumber fruit. While related to the familiar, domestic vegetable, the prickly “cucumbers” is not edible. Instead of fleshy tissue under the skin, it has two seed chambers containing lacy netting. The netting holds four large seeds (stock photo) in place until the fruit ripens and the seeds drop to the ground to begin a new vine. Californian Indians of old would mash the root of this plant and add it to river water to stun fish which would float to the surface for easy retrieval. Next, I drive a short distance to the Luce Rd bridge where I stop and observe the creek as it flows westward. Finally, I pause to look at a stand of trees filled with hundreds of chirping Starlings while others perch on a nearby electrical transmission tower.

 

Summer leaves

Captured the sun

Green and lush

Everyone

Fall foliage

October days

Yellows and reds

Browns and grays

No matter the pigment

No matter the shade

Forest has no favorites

Every color displayed

 

D. DeGraaf