For my 6th encounter with Honeyoye Creek, I’m standing on the east side of Winans Rd listening to birdsongs and watching creek water flow slowly downstream. The early morning skies are sunny with temperatures in the upper 40’s as I pause to look and listen to water flowing from a drain tile into the creek. Exploring the lush buffer zone, I spot white blossoms of Hoary Alyssum, pink blossoms of Dame’s Rocket as well as an 8-inch diameter web made by an orb weaver spider. These spiders are typically nocturnal. During the day, they either sit motionless in the web or move off the web. At night, they become more active, working to repair any damage on the web or sitting in the middle waiting for prey. For some species, once morning comes, the spider will tear down the web, eat most of the silk and rebuild the web by nightfall. Looking down from a steep bank, I spot the narrow leaflets of Chinese Bush-Clover plant. This species was introduced in the late 1800s by federal and state agencies for use in bank stabilization, erosion control and soil improvement. It has been escaping from plantings for many years, evolving into an invasive species. Once established, it out-competes and displaces native plants forming extensive monocultures. Its high tannin content makes it unpalatable to livestock and most native wildlife. Nearby, I come upon a 1/16 inch Shiny Flower Beetle and a perching Firefly. Also known as lightning bugs, these insects are winged beetles. They aren’t endangered, but scientists are worried about them. In recent years, fewer fireflies have been spotted during the summer. Pesticide use and loss of habitat have likely impacted the population, as has light pollution. For fireflies, light pollution interferes with their attempts to signal each other. After watching the creek water flow under Winans Rd, I follow a nearby 2-track where far ahead in the shadows a whitetail deer stares me down. Next, I come upon a deer carcass being consumed by hundreds of blowfly larvae (maggots). Adult female blow flies (stock photo) lay their eggs on a food source, such as this decomposing flesh. The eggs hatch into maggots within 12–24 hours. The maggots feed on the food source while molting through three stages. The third-stage maggots leave the food source and move into dry soil to pupate. Pupation lasts 6–12 days after which adult blow flies emerge. Back in the car, I drive a short distance to pause and watch the creek water flow south under Jackson Rd.

Out of the water

Climbing the reed

No longer a nymph

Ready for speed

Cruising the creek

Hunting the edge

Cellophane wings

Landing on sedge

Darting and dipping

Beauty you bring

Searching for prey

Dragonfly of spring

 

D. DeGraaf