Attracted to the Colors of Summer

Despite an atypically mild winter and early spring, it seems like it took longer this year to find color;
but as this pickerelweed demonstrates, the summer colors of the marsh have arrived

As promised, here are some additional shots of color from my photo-monitoring this past week. The theme seemed to be bright blooms, deep greens, and vibrant pollinators. This little camera is pretty good at catching about everything but the sometimes oppressive heat and humidity!

If this doesn't scream summer, I don't know what does -- a monarch on (swamp) milkweed;
sadly, this is getting to be a much less common sight; monarch numbers are down as much as 90% globally

This butterfly -- the red admiral -- is one of Ohio's most common; while conservation strives to improve the plight of endangered and threatened species, it also needs to provide safe havens to keep "common" species common

I don't know my bumblebees, but I do know that even they are starting to receive attention due to new research that shows
dramatic declines in many populations regionally, nationally, and globally -- never underestimate the importance
of our pollinators (this one finds a home on chicory, a Mediterranean relative of the dandelion) 

I need help identifying this water lily; I'm confident that it is an introduced species, but the good news is
(1) it is isolated to a small area on one of our ponds adjacent to the marsh (it doesn't seem aggressive),
(2) it is beautiful, and (3) the bees seemed to be loving it in the heat of the afternoon sunshine

As this great golden digger wasp demonstrates, it's not just monarch butterflies
that are attracted to milkweed; this docile and vibrant critter seemed
to prefer the underside of every cluster of blooms

Photo Monitoring with the Critter Getter

My nine year old son was so inspired by Rare (see July 11th) that we decided we need to start putting together our own
"photo ark" of unique species for the property; he helped me capture this image of a Wandering Glider

Yesterday proved to be one of -- if not the -- most satisfying days I've had in the field so far this field season. Practically speaking, I was able to complete my newly established photo-monitoring on the eastern half of the property effectively and efficiently (in about four hours) to visually capture changes related to our drawdown. But personally, I had the satisfaction of sharing the time with my nine-year-old son, Anderson.

Despite 85+ degrees and plenty of intense and sustained sunshine, my faithful companion did not miss a beat. He had the option of staying in town for a pool party with a good group of friends, or putting on jeans and work cloths for a day at the marsh. He didn't hesitate -- when given the option to come, or when shown what the day's project would entail. He was all in.

Anderson is what I call a "critter getter," meaning he is always game to chase whatever there is to pursue. Whether it be frogs (perhaps his favorite pursuit), turtles, minnows, butterflies, or lizards (on trips south), Anderson tends to have a bit of a one-track mind. Like father, like son, I guess.

Yesterday, we both had the distinct pleasure of witnessing an explosion of life from a fascinating group I've had my mind on a lot lately -- Odonata. Odonates are an order of carnivorous insects, encompassing the dragonflies and the damselflies. With informal grouping names like dancers, skimmers, cruisers, darners, bluets, spreadwings, forktails and clubtails, meadowhawks and pondhawks, it's hard not to be intrigued.

I am a complete rookie when it comes to identifying this general taxon. I'm already anticipating a new passion/obsession because chasing these guys with a decent camera is kind of like pursuing songbirds for the first time with a good pair of binocs. The Canon was a window into a whole new world, and Anderson and I found ourselves routinely interrupted from our landscape monitoring in pursuit of the perfect insect photo. Many "got away," but as the images here demonstrate, we "caught" a fair number on camera, too. Anderson routinely corralled the fast-fliers toward me, served as my spotter as they jumped from stem to leaf, and then highfived me in congratulations each time I got the shot.

We ended up with about sixty wildlife images to go with the 59 monitoring photos we needed. I obviously don't have space to show them all (even the best of them all) here, so I'll try to post again later this week with some more cool plants and insects. I postulate that our drawdown coupled with recent high temps has lead to a proliferation of "dragons" and damselflies, so I'll try to get back out soon to capture more. Based on preliminary reading, it looks like 160+ species live in or migrate through Ohio . . . and not surprisingly, wetlands along the Lake Erie coast tend to be a hotbed. I'm pretty familiar with their complex life cycles (mostly spent in water), but I have a lot to learn in terms of diversity. I'm hoping it's something the kids and I can learn together.

We enjoyed watching these Eastern Pondhawks all day long

Thanks to Linda Gilbert of the Geauga Park District for properly identifying this female Widow Skimmer;
the yellow in this photo appeared even more gold in person

Thanks again to Linda Gilbert (Geauga Park District) for clarifying that this is an orange-form female Eastern Forktail;
they may be small, but their color packs a punch

I spent a good deal of time yesterday trying to get classic poses for identification and reference, but in some (rare) cases, the subjects were so cooperative, that I had to try to get in for a closer look. Make sure you click on the images below to appreciate some of the detail. And trust me, there are images out there that make these look like finger paintings. Still, these macro shots really have me curious to observe, photograph, and learn more.

Note remnant of an insect meal on the front, left leg -- hopefully what's
left of a mosquito!

Anderson at work in the East Marsh

The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest (Lk 8:8)

If you haven't already, take a peek back at posts from the last two weeks and you'll better appreciate the significance
of this image; the millet was flown in this morning by the good folks at Gibbs Aero Spray

Thought I'd just provide some visual confirmation. The balance of this season's millet seed order -- all 1,500-lbs of 2,500-lbs total -- was dropped over a 50 acre area of newly exposed mudflat this morning. One major management goal for this year officially completed. We targeted about 40 acres in our eastern-most "Dinky Track" unit and then put the balance over about 10-acres of the east side of the Tower Marsh (although there may have been twice as much mud showing in this unit by the time the plane arrived).

Our primary focus with the millet is in the ~100-acre Dinky Marsh. This morning's seeding in the Tower was more to augment natural annual and perennial plant growth in what we anticipate to be a more fertile seed bed. Time will tell whether our hunch is accurate. If it is, we'll continue to let it grow; if it isn't we can isolate the Tower and re-flood.

I didn't actually make it out to the property this morning. I was out last night to survey the situation, and I opted to join the family at church just as the plane was doing its work. I had to smile when I heard this morning's readings:

Is 55:10-11
Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14
Mt 13:1-9

Pretty apropos.

P.S. Thunderstorms are in the forecast again for this afternoon.