June 3

It’s mostly cloudy with temperatures in the upper 50’s as I stand on the edge of Winans Rd while the water of Honeyoye Creek flows eastward through a narrow buffer zone of vegetation that is supposed to protect it from tainted cropland runoff. Looking more closely along the bank, I notice white blossoms of Wood Anemone and multi-colored blossoms of Dame’s Rocket. Despite its attractiveness, Dame’s Rocket is an invasive species in Michigan. It can spread quickly and replace native wildflowers, disrupting the local ecosystem. Moving to a new access point, I make my way toward the creek bank while spotting one of many 1-inch, Red Admiral caterpillars feeding on Nettle leaves. After it pupates in a chrysalis, a colorful adult butterfly will emerge (stock photo). Nearby, I notice a 1½-inch Northern Bluet Damselfly resting on a leaf, covered with raindrops. Bluets don’t sting or bite humans but they are formidable predators of other insects, including flies, mosquitoes and bees. Up ahead, I come upon a ¾-inch, Black-banded Owlet Moth, perched on a blade of grass. This species has been known to slow its metabolism and freeze solid to survive winter, thawing and reviving as temperatures rise. Arriving at the edge of the creek, I pause to watch its water flow gently to the south while listening to a Song Sparrow. Heading back toward the car along a wooded bank, I come upon a cluster of Scaly Ink Cap Mushrooms. These mushrooms are edible but only if alcohol is avoided. Eating them within a few days of consuming alcohol can cause flushing, dizziness, headaches and stomach aches. Still making my way through the woods, I pass by a large patch of Skunk Cabbage as well as the femur and tibia bones of a Whitetail deer. Approaching the car, I look down to see a scattering of several 1/8-inch instar nymphs of Box Elder Bugs. These nymphs feed on leaves, fruits and soft seeds by inserting their beaks into the tissues. They continue to feed throughout summer until they reach adulthood (stock photo). Near the car, I spot a 1/3-inch, pink spotted ladybird beetle crawling over a blade of grass. A native North American insect, it is found throughout the eastern two-thirds of the US from Canada through New England and into many southern and midwestern states. Both adult and larva (stock photo) are important predators of aphids. Adults can consume 50 aphids per day, while larvae kill 10 to 25 per day. Back in the car on my way home, I stop on Madison Rd to view the creek one last time as it flows south toward M-46.

Concert opens the month of June

Sounds of spring, creatures in tune

On the blossoms, buzz of the bees

Westerly wind rustles the leaves

On the maple, fox squirrel chatters

Music of the wild, all that matters

On the pond, green frog croaks

Cardinal calls, high in the oaks

Robin, the melody, Downy, the beat

Nature in harmony, choir’s complete

 

D. DeGraaf