The early morning temperatures are in the upper 60’s with a refreshing breeze at my back as I hike on a mowed trail toward the rising sun while being entertained by a Song Sparrow. Today, as a volunteer for the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, I’m evaluating one of their 38 conservation easements, a 24-acre privately-owned parcel east of Alma. This property was purchased years ago with government funds with the understanding that the landowner would maintain it as wildlife habitat. My job is to determine if there’s compliance and report the results to the Conservancy. Up ahead, I watch a butterfly flutter by and land on the grassy ground. Upon a closer look, I see it’s a 1-inch, Common Wood-Nymph displaying an eyespot on one of its wings. These eyespots are thought to play a role in predator defense, potentially confusing or deterring birds and other predators. Nearby, I spot a resting 1-inch, White Slant-line Moth. Their caterpillars are twig mimics. Their brown, narrow bodies hold on to a branch at one end and stretch away from the branch to hide among the twigs and leaves (stock photo). On another blade of grass, I notice a ½-inch, strange-looking collection of small twigs, containing a Bagworm. In the life cycle of certain moths, the caterpillar spins a cocoon-like bag on which pieces of leaves and other plant parts are attached. The bag acts as a portable shelter and camouflage, shielding the caterpillar from predators and harsh weather conditions. Further along, I come upon a male 12-spotted Skimmer Dragonfly. Both male and female have 12 dark brown wing spots while the male has 8 additional white wing spots. Looking around, I spot a Widow Skimmer Dragonfly. This dragonfly got the “widow” name because, unlike most other dragonfly species where the male stays near the female after she lays her eggs, the male in this pair leaves her after the eggs have been laid.  As with other dragonflies, eggs are laid in ponds where they hatch. The nymphs (stock photo) live in the water, molting and growing until they are ready to emerge from the water.  Coming upon one-of-many Cottonwood trees, I spot a leaf displaying an abnormal, swollen growth called a Petiole Gall. In the spring, aphids hatch from eggs laid on the Cottonwood tree and begin feeding on the petioles of newly emerging leaves. This feeding stimulates the plant to produce a growth around the aphids. Theses galls provide a safe environment for the aphids to grow and reproduce. While the galls may be noticeable, they generally do not harm to the tree. 

Nature in rhythm

July days ahead

Summer sky blue

Raspberries red

Creatures are born

Consume and grow

Vultures fly high

Frogs lie low

Pond water wanes

Below the brim

Neath the surface

Mudminnows swim

 

D. DeGraaf