October 16

Awaiting another encounter with Corbin Creek, I’m hiking in a section of the Maple River State Game Area, west of US 127 in Gratiot County. The early morning temperatures are in the mid 40’s, under mostly cloudy skies as I watch some Wood ducks take off from these expansive wetlands. Looking eastward, I’m awed by a murmuration of black birds (stock photo), an aerial ballet of hundreds of Red-wing Blackbirds, perhaps along with Starlings, Cowbirds and Grackles, flying in mass, but seemingly with one mind. These birds flock together because, primarily, there is safety in numbers. Predators, such as owls and hawks, are frequently befuddled and overwhelmed by such a whirling mass of birds. In the weeks ahead, these blackbirds will begin migrating south for the winter. Soon, I watch part of the flock land in a nearby leafless tree where I look and listen to a single bird. Continuing eastward, I spot blossoms of Water Smartweed and Hedge Mustard. Glancing afar, I notice the traffic on US 127, about ¾ of a mile away while just off the trail, I observe a Velvetleaf plant with its ornate, dried seed pods. Each pod of this highly invasive cropland plant contains 5-15 flattened seeds, a favorite food of the Deer Mouse. Turning around to retrace my steps, I scan the water surface to see the swarming of dozens tiny black insects, similar to the murmuration of black birds. Looking more closely, I see they are Whirligigs, 1/8 inch aquatic beetles that swim fast and are almost always in motion. These insects have eyes that are completely separated into two portions. The lower portion views the underwater environment, while the upper portion surveys the aerial environment. Adults are primarily scavengers, quickly pouncing on live or dead insects that land on the water surface. They may also detect prey using echolocation, waves produced by their swimming motion. Further along, I look skyward to hear the familiar calls of Killdeer birds and look at my feet to see a two-inch, edible Meadow Mushroom. Nearing the car, I stoop down and notice the stem of a Swamp Milkweed, covered by my dozens of 2-mm orange, Oleander Aphids, feeding on the sap. Sometimes called a Milkweed Aphid, this insect (stock photo) ingests sap from the phloem of its host plant. The damage caused by these colonies is mainly aesthetic due to the large amounts of sticky honeydew produced and the resulting black sooty mold that grows on the honeydew. Though native to the Mediterranean region, this aphid is an invasive pest species throughout much of the world.

Treading neath trees

Near to clinging leaves

Few to be found

Most blanket the ground

Quilt of many colors

Yellow, red and others

Bare branches debut

Sky of azure blue

Autumn surrounds 

Nature abounds

 

D. DeGraaf