May 15

Midday skies are sunny with temperatures in the lower 60’s as I watch the water of Salt Creek flow east under the Mission Rd bridge, while listening to one of many different songs of a Northern Cardinal. Stooping down, I spot a field ant crawling over a Dandelion blossom, most likely feeding on the nectar. Also, this sighting implies another natural phenomenon, namely these ants also farming Dandelion aphids that live under the basal leaves or around the tap root (stock photo). In exchange for protecting these tiny insects from predators, the ants are able to milk the aphids for sugar-rich, honeydew they produce by sucking sap out of the dandelions. Walking toward the car, a small Catalpa tree with 18- to 20-inch-long, dried up seed pods catches my eye. Back in the car, I head downstream and stop where the creek flows under Isabella Rd as a Killdeer flies off. Farther down the channel, I spot a Solitary Sandpiper. Almost all sandpipers migrate in flocks and nest on the ground, but this species breaks both rules. In migration, as its name implies, it is usually encountered alone. Most likely, this bird is heading north from its wintering grounds anywhere from extreme southern U.S., south to Central America, the Caribbean and even tropical South America. When it reaches its summer breeding grounds in the northern boreal forest of Canada and Alaska, it will lay its eggs in old songbirds nests rather than nesting on the wet ground. While watching Barn swallows dip and dive for insects on the creek surface, I spot a pair of them perched on an overhead power line. Along the bank, I observe a patch of Wild Mustard and a few clumps of lush Pincushion moss. Up ahead, several Cabbage White butterflies flutter around. Since none of them land for a photo op, I try in vain to video record one in flight. The “cabbage” reference in the name refers to the larvae (stock photo) that feed on garden crops like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. While looking at the clear creek water at it flows downstream, I enjoy the song of a Yellow Warbler. Heading back to the car, I pause to watch a stand of invasive Phragmites with their wispy panicles swaying in the breeze. For my third stop, I listen to a Song Sparrow while watching the slow-moving water flow under Isabella Rd, between Jerseyville and Coe Rds. Along the bank, I notice old Beaver willow stumps as well as dried-up, prickly seed pods of Teasel. Approaching the car, I spot colorful blossoms of Grape Hyacinth whose strong scent keeps deer and rabbits away.

 

Sun finally warms

Spring seems late

Creatures out of hiding

Nature ends her wait

Frog on the pond

Snake on the ground

Bee on the flower

Bird calls sound

Cattails appear

Maple leaves unfold

Time has come

Wildlife take hold

 

D. DeGraaf