August 19

The early morning sky is sunny with temperatures in the mid 50’s as I enter a wooded section of Lake Steven Preserve, a one-acre, CWC property fronting an outflow channel of the lake, not the lake itself. Suddenly, I look skyward to hear a noisy flock of Redwing Blackbirds flying and perching as they gather and fatten up for their southerly migration. Proceeding east toward the shore, I pass a patch of blossoming Goldenrod and pause to observe a small grove of young, healthy White Ash trees. Over the last 10 years, most mature Ash trees in Michigan have been killed by an insect called the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). However, since the USDA has identified and released four species of wasps that kill this insect, more ash trees are surviving. Reaching the channel shoreline, I notice an overgrowth of pond weeds and lily pads covering the surface. Turning around, I re-enter the wooded section where I pass through a grove of Paper Birch trees while hearing the loud call of a Pileated Woodpecker. Arriving at another part of the channel, I come upon a patch of Woolgrass bulrush. Despite its name, it is not a grass nor a rush, but a type of sedge. Many species of ducks feed on its seedheads, Trumpeter swans and Canada geese eat the foliage and muskrats eat the rhizomes. Insects that feed on this plant, include weevils, aphids and caterpillars. Native Americans, including the Ojibwe used the long leaves to make baskets, mats, and bedding while the Potawatomi used the “wool” to stuff pillows. Near the shore, I see a two-inch Spread-wing damselfly clinging to a stalk with its wings spread open, hence the name. They are known only to close their wings under conditions of poor weather, nightfall, threat of predators or male harassment of females. From the far shore, I spot a perching Northern Cardinal and hear a trio of birdsongs from a Catbird, Mourning Dove and Robin. Nearing the car, I first spot blossoms of Boneset and Joe Pye Weed and then a 3x4 inch cobweb on the dewy grass. Not to be confused with the dust-covered webs found in unused rooms or in the corner of your ceiling, this tangled, irregularly designed flat web is made in less than an hour by a tiny ¼ inch spider, called a Sheetweb Weaver (stock photo). The main sheet is a mess of silk threads that looks like someone scribbled with a white crayon. The second part are non-sticky threads that will knock an insect onto the sheet. Before it can escape, the spider rushes from below and bites and immobilizes its prey through the web.

Midst of August

Living things abound

Fledglings from trees

Blossoms from ground

Nature fills the senses

Smell of carcass decay

Taste of ripe fruit

Sound of a noisy jay

Warm season grasses

Grow dense and tall

Some crimson leaves

Harbingers of fall

 

D. DeGraaf