Week of August 8, 2022

    I was able to get out to my site today and I am so thankful that I did! The temperature was a perfect 65 degrees with a very slight breeze. I was wondering if I would be able to find anything interesting to report on and was THRILLED to make some breath-taking observations. It rained a lot yesterday and the plants, mainly the grasses, were just ⭒glistening⭒ with sparkly drops of water that looked so shimmery as I walked around. Check out some of the jewels that were all around me.

Not only that! As I was sitting down trying my hand at drawing some minuscule mushrooms, I heard some minor crashing sounds made by a larger animal. I looked up and saw a couple of deer near the previously drier vernal pool. However, because of all the rain we had, it was filled up again. I enjoyed trying to get some pictures of them, but as you can see, they weren't amazing. Can you see the pair of ears in the grasses though? Look at the center of the picture.

The deer went away shortly after I heard a lot of splashing sounds. I thought it might be a fox because of the large tail attached to the smaller body. Can you imagine my delight when I realized it was a baby fawn just splashing around while running back and forth? What a beauty!

NEW SPECIES:

Whorled Milkweed

Asclepias verticillata

The whorled milkweed prefers many kinds of prairies, openings in rocky upland forests,  savannas, rocky bluffs along major rivers, bluegrass meadows, pastures and abandoned fields, grassy slopes along highways, waste areas, and open disturbed areas. I can see why it grows well in Mary's Meadow because not too far from it was the Big bluestem that you will learn about this week too. It prefers sunny, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, sand, or gravel. The flowers smell lovely and attract bees, butterflies, and other insects.

Illinois Wildflowers. (2022). Whorled Milkweed. Whorled milkweed (asclepias verticillata). Retrieved August 14, 2022, from https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/wh_milkweedx.htm

Common Evening Primrose

Oenothera biennis

The Common Evening Primrose grows in a variety of places including in meadows, on beaches, in dunes, and on roadsides. No wonder I found them in Mary's Meadow. Fascinatingly, this plant has some edible parts. The first-year roots are edible and are described as similar to parsnips. The flowers are also edible and can be put in salads. The seedpods are quite nutritious and can be steamed or sautéed. The oil of this plant has been made into a supplement that can help alleviate atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema), rheumatoid arthritis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), breast pain, menopause symptoms, and other conditions.

EdibleWildFood.com. (2022). Evening Primroseoenothera Biennis. EdibleWildFood. Retrieved August 14, 2022, from https://www.ediblewildfood.com/evening-primrose.aspx

JTM, B. (2020, January 23). Evening primrose oil. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Retrieved August 14, 2022, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/evening-primrose-oil

Big Bluestem

Adropogon gerardi

Big Bluestem is a native grass that likes full sun, soils that are dry, medium to moist, and thrive in prairies, meadows, and fields. So it isn't a surprise that I found it in Mary's Meadow. The leaves change from green to blue-green in the summer, but then in the fall will become a red-bronze color. I look forward to seeing the color change when fall comes around. This plant is a host plant for various Skipper butterflies. It is pollinated by many types of bees, wasps, and butterflies. The leaves provide good wildlife habitat. Wild animals, including bison and voles, as well various insects like to eat the foliage too. 

Prairie Nursery Inc. (2022). Big bluestem. Andropogon gerardii | Prairie Nursery. Retrieved August 14, 2022, from https://www.prairienursery.com/big-bluestem-andropogon-gerardii.html

Hamilton Native Outpost: Native Outpost. (2022). Big Bluestem. Big bluestem- Hamilton native outpost. Retrieved August 14, 2022, from https://www.hamiltonnativeoutpost.com/product_info.php?item_id=164

Carolina Wren

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Schultz, B. (2022). Carolina Wren. Audubon Guide to North American Birds Carolina Wren. National Audubon Society. Retrieved August 14, 2022, from https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/carolina-wren.

Interestingly, the Carolina Wren is not in the area of Albion in all seasons. It does enjoy habitats like Mary's Meadow, as well as thickets along forest edges. These birds have a beautiful song and will often sing in duets. They like to stay in pairs all year long. They like to eat insects of many kinds, spiders, snails, and millipedes. They will also eat berries and seeds in the winter. Both male and female Carolina Wrens participate in the nest building for the two clutches they have each year. Both parents also bring food to their young. 

Kaufman, K. (2021, October 20). Carolina Wren. Audubon. Retrieved August 14, 2022, from https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/carolina-wren

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

What are the nearest human-dominated habitats to your habitat and how do you think they are influencing the ecosystem dynamics of your habitat? 

I know that Kerry periodically feather mows along the trail at my site. This influences the ecosystem by preventing the prairie plants from overtaking the trail and making it un-walkable. A little further removed, but still fairly close to my site is a soybean field and a road. I hear the traffic going by which impacts the site with noise pollution. Sometimes it gets in the way when I am trying to listen to nature sounds. The field nearby is a monoculture so it keeps some wildlife away due to its lack of biodiversity.

REFLECTIVE/CREATIVE ENTRY:

This week I wanted to share some Scripture that I found after being inspired by the beauty of the sights and sounds of my beloved site.

Psalm 66:4

"All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name." Selah.

Psalm 19:1

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."

Until next time...

 Week of August 1, 2022

I spent a couple of slow, relaxed and beautiful mornings in Mary's Meadow this week. Again, the varied birdsong did not disappoint. The wispy clouds moved slowly along in a very gentle breeze. These mornings were unique because there wasn't the persistent presence and buzz of mosquitoes in all up in my business and the humidity was not nearly as oppressive as it has been.These were firsts in a while and greatly appreciated. I was also glad I wore my boots too because the ground was very wet with silvery dew. The main flowers that stand out to me this week are Ironweed, early goldenrod and wild carrot. There are a lot of goldenrod plants that are not yet flowering and I look forward to seeing a sea of yellow in the near future.

NEW SPECIES

1. Flat-topped Goldenrod

Euthamia graminifolia

This common pollinator plant needs a lot of sun, which makes Mary's Meadow a good place for it to grow. It is a colony-forming wildflower that can grow in dry-moist soil. It can grow without a lot of encouragement. Some of the pollinators that will come to this plant include bees and butterflies.

New England Wild Flower Society (http://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org). (2022). Euthamia graminifolia. New England Wild Flower Society. Retrieved August 4, 2022, from https://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/plant/Euthamia-graminifolia

2. Purple Crown-vetch

Securigera varia

Purple crown-vetch was first introduced to North America in the later 1800's from Europe, Asia and Africa. It was brought over as a ground cover plant to prevent erosion, but unfortunately has become quite invasive in open places in some places. The pretty flowers are irregular and pink.

Unfortunately, I did see a healthy amount of it in Mary's Meadow. 

This is no surprise because Mary's Meadow does have a good amount of sun. 

Minnesota Wildflowers. (2022). Securigera Varia (Crown Vetch). Minnesota Wildflowers. Retrieved August 4, 2022, from https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/crown-vetch

3. Wild Carrot

Daucus carota

Other names for Wild Carrot are Queen Anne's Lace and bird's nest. This plant originated in Europe and Asia and was introduced to North America as a root vegetable and medicinal herb. The root smells like carrots, hence the name. In some places this plant is considered an invasive plant. The habitat of Mary's Meadow is perfect for the Wild Carrot; as are road sides, pastures and prairies. It is not recommended to eat this plant because it looks similar to a deadly plant called Poison Hemlock. Handle with care as the sap can cause a rash when on the skin and exposed to sunlight.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture. (2022). Wild carrot. Wild Carrot. Retrieved August 4, 2022, from https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/weedcontrol/noxiouslist/wildcarrot

4. Common yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

Photos are credited to:

Sanderson, R. (2020). Common Yellowthroat. The Cornell Lab All About Birds. Retrieved August 4, 2022, from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Yellowthroat/photo-gallery/66117601.

The Common Yellowthroat is a smaller songbird in the New World Warbler family who makes its habitat in forest edges and fields, similar to Mary's Meadow, as well as shrubby wet areas and marshes. It's short rounded wings indicate that it is a short-distance migrant who doesn't go further than the southern united states and central America. The song of the Common Yellowthroat is similar to a "witchity-witchity-witchity" sound. The oldest Common Yellowthroat on record was 11 years old when it was caught and released in 2015 by a bird banding group in Massachusetts.

eBird. (2022). Common yellowthroat - ebird. Common Yellowthroat. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://ebird.org/species/comyel

Cornell University. (2n.d.). Common yellowthroat overview, all about birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved August 4, 2022, from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Yellowthroat/overview

REFLECTION:

It’s remarkable how it has become so easy to move through the day, 

closed off,

unaware of the multitude of WiLd ThInGs 

that abound and surround us.

SkY, WiNd, CrEaTuReS, WaTeR VaPoR...

 It's like we’ve chosen an *alternate reality* of our own creation 

instead of what is really real. 

A control mechanism turned habit. 

A plugging up our ears and saying “blah blah blah. I’m not listening.” 

Countless lessons can be learned from the WiLd PlAnTs and CrEaTuReS. 

L  e  t  t  i  n  g   G o, 

trusting, 

and JOY that can come

 despite life’s unpredictability, 

just to name a few. 

For the time I spend outdoors each day, 

surrounded by the WiLd EaRtH, 

I want to be truly PRESENT, 

intentionally and keenly OBSERVANT. 

 a HUMBLE and receptive STUDENT,

appreciate my WiLd TeAcHeRs 

for their subtle example of how to 

GROW toward the sun, 

OBSERVE their generosity with space, 

CALM and SURRENDERING to what each day brings. 

Because I am part of nature, may I seek, 

like the rest of the natural world, 

and reflect the Creator of Nature.

*QUESTION OF THE WEEK*

How might global climate change affect your ecosystem? 

Describe some specific pressures or changes your ecosystem might experience. 

***

The mosquitoes that have been prevalent in Mary's Meadow 

will become even more numerable as a result of the longer times of heat during the year, 

making spending time outside even more challenging. 

Related, the increased temperatures will make spending time outside safely 

less frequent which will mean 

even greater amounts of separation from Nature. 

Warmer summers will mean a lack of drinking water 

or a lack of available water needed for growing crops in the summer months.

And while it might mean a longer growing period for crops, 

it will also mean a longer growing period for invasive species 

and plants that cause allergies. 

The smaller mammals in Mary's Meadow who depend on the insulation that snow provides 

may die out if there is less snow precipitation, 

which will impact the animals that depend on them for food. 

Currently the Field Sparrow, who I heard in Mary's Meadow, 

is a species of high vulnerability

due to climate change. 

Week of July 25, 2022

This week was unique because I was out of town for the first couple of days. Today, Wednesday, was misty/rainy but I decided to give it a go, hoping that the mosquitoes wouldn't eat me alive. When I reached the path on the beginning edge of my site, I counted all of the mushrooms that had popped up along the way until I reached the far edge of my site. Mushrooms tend to love moisture and I counted 79 mushrooms as I swatted around my face, trying to deter the mosquitoes from landing. Here are some pictures I took of my little mushroom friends. I also included a picture of one of many dewy spiderwebs.

NEW SPECIES

1. Pleated Inkcaps

 Parasola plicatilis.

They look like little pleated parasols. The word Inkcap in its name is a bit misleading. Some similar looking mushrooms do make a black fluid when touched, but this one doesn't. These little mushrooms can be found on many continents. Their lifespan is very short, both sprouting and falling apart within a day. I found these on the 25th and later when I returned in the week, there was not evidence of them to be found. It can be found or alone. I found many this time. It grows well on grass where there is good sunlight.

Collins, A. (2022, February 8). Parasola plicatilis: The pleated inkcap mushroom identification & more. Healing-Mushrooms.net. Retrieved July 30, 2022, from https://healing-mushrooms.net/parasola-plicatilis

 

More observations: The other day that I was able to visit my site, the weather was perfect - sunny with some clouds and a slight breeze. The birds were singing, insects a-buzzing and trees were swooshing; just beautiful and relaxing. The recent rain really greened things up even more and the breeze has made the oppressive humidity dissipate. I enjoyed observing some bumblebees pollinating various flowers but they kept moving too fast for me to capture them.

2. Missouri Ironweed

Vernonia missurica

This flower is in the family Asteracaea, so its brothers and sisters are the asters, sunflowers and daisies. This is one of Missouri's ironweeds and is distinctive because it has a larger number of florets per flowerhead as well as hairy leave undersides and stems. These gorgeous flowers bloom in mid-late summer. These plants can grow between 2 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet tall and can be found anywhere from banks of streams and rivers, to forests, swamps, fens, to prairies; also pastures, ditches, old fields, fencerows, roadsides, and other open, disturbed areas. Mary's Meadow is similar to some of these places so it's no surprise that I found it there. 

Missouri Department of Conservation. (2022). Missouri ironweed. Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved July 30, 2022, from https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/missouri-ironweed

3. Canada Wild Lettuce

Latuca canadensis

hedricj. (2019). Canada Wild Lettuce. photograph, Illinois.

Canada Wild Lettuce is in the daisy family and has a long taproot. It is a biennial plant. Its leaves remind me a little of a dandelion's leaves in that they are similarly lobed. The flower heads are apparently similar to a Dandelion as well, being yellow and then eventually having fluffy white tufts. It can grow in moist to dry habitats in a variety of soil types. However it prefers loamy soil best in sunny places. This hearty plant can be found not only in habitats like Mary's Meadow, but also in woods, prairies, fields, bordering lakes and rivers and along more disturbed places like fencerows, railroads and roads. The leaves contain lacucarium which has some medicinal benefits including as a sedative or to help calm one experiencing anxiety. The sap has been used externally to treat warts. Not only is it medicinal, but edible as some people enjoy cooking and eating young leaves and stems.

Canada wild lettuce (Lactuca canadensis). iNaturalist Canada. (2022). Retrieved July 30, 2022, from https://inaturalist.ca/taxa/53110-Lactuca-canadensis

4. Asian Lady Beetle

Harmonia axyridis

This insect was first found in the US in Louisiana in 1988. Adults are about 1/4 inch long. Interestingly, they like to congregate in the afternoon sun, which were the weather conditions that I found them. The Asian Lady Beetle can live for three years. It doesn't tend to destroy plants in favor of aphids. However some people consider them pests because they find a way into buildings in the fall and give off a foul smelling yellow liquid when they feel threatened. They  often live among agricultural crops but can be found in other places as well.  

Entomology at the University of Kentucky. (2022). Asian Lady Beetle Infestation of Structures. UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Retrieved July 30, 2022, from https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef416

CREATIVE CONTRIBUTION THIS WEEK:

Here is a unique panoramic image of both ends of Mary's Meadow with the sky in between. Pick up your computer, if you can, and flip it upside down to see both points of view.

Sea-Sky 

by Eva Webb

Today the sky and land reminded me of the sea for some reason. 

The clouds moved like jellyfish, slow and graceful.

Tree branches and plants swayed like seaweed disturbed by the currents. 

Dragonflies, bees and birds darted around like little fish, 

playing hide and seek,

and the Turkey Vulture glided ominously nearby like a shark,

seeking out its next meal.

The waters that were separated long ago, today seemed to 

waltz together again.

*QUESTION OF THE WEEK*

What animal species/guilds seem to be abundant and/or influential in your ecosystem? What were they doing or eating? Describe one animal interaction you saw happening and speculate as to its significance.

I saw various birds, dragonflies, bees, grasshoppers, butterflies, lady beetles and, of course, mosquitoes. The birds were chirping and flitting about. The butterflies and bees were drinking nectar and pollinating flowers. The grasshoppers, dragonflies, and lady beetles seemed to be enjoying the warmth of the sun, moving up and down stems. I enjoyed seeing some swallowtail butterflies dancing around the air together. 

Week of 7/18\22 

7/18 at 5:15 p.m. It is super humid and muggy from the recent heavy rain. There is no wind to an occasional, slight wind. The main sound I can hear is that of insects with their chirps and buzzing. They dominate over the birds. The mosquitoes are trying to feast on me. There are also sounds of trucks driving nearby. I came upon feathers belonging to a Gray Catbird.

NEW SPECIES

Swamp Cicada (Neotibicen tibicen)

The insect sound at my site that is greater than the buzzing mosquitoes is the Swamp Cicada, also known as the Morning Cicada. These harmless insects are found in the eastern and central United States, as well as parts of southeastern Canada. They are in the order Hemiptera. The loud buzzing sound they make is from the males to attract the females. The females lay their eggs in tree branches and when they hatch, the larva burrows underground and feed off of the sap of the tree roots. Eventually, they come above ground and molt into adult form. Their habitat includes weeds, shrubs, swamps, marshes, fields, and meadows. Various animals that enjoy a Swamp Cicada include raccoons, dogs, birds, and lizards. Even the occasional human has been known to try them. They taste like popcorn.

Writer, S. (2022, January 6). Swamp cicada. Insect Identification for the casual observer. Retrieved July 22, 2022, from https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Swamp-Cicada

Smooth Bromegrass (Bromus inermis)

Smooth bromegrass was introduced by Hungary in the late 1800s. It is a cool season grass with the identifying characteristic of a watermark in the shape of a W, which is found midway between the collar and the leaf blade tip. It is a drought-tolerant grass that prefers silty to clay loam but can grow just fine in sandy soils too. This plant, when grown with red clover and alfalfa is a great food source for hay and pasture. Its tough root system makes it useful for ground cover and preventing soil erosion.

Roberts , C. (2000, May). Smooth bromegrass. University of Missouri Extension. Retrieved July 23, 2022, from https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g4672

Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea)

Early Goldenrod, like its name suggests, blooms the earliest. Not only does it grow in meadows, like my site, Mary's Meadow, but can also be found in various types of prairies, abandoned fields, thickets, and places that get a lot of sunlight. It is not picky about the type of soil it will grow in. Many insects like to pollinate the Early Goldenrod flower, including various flies, bees, butterflies, beetles, and moths. The Early Goldenrod can be distinguished from other goldenrods because it has very little to no hair on the stems and leaves.

Early Goldenrod. Early goldenrod (solidago juncea). (2022). Retrieved July 23, 2022, from http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/er_goldenrodx.htm

Allegheny Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis)

This plant also goes by the names Blackberry, Common Blackberry, Dewberry, and Graves' blackberry. This plant can be found most often in forests, meadows, and woodlands. It grows well in full sun to light shade in fertile soil. It can also grow in rocky soil or clay loam. Many types of insects are attracted to the flower's sweet nectar and pollen and many mammals and birds enjoy the berries it produces. I know I like them! Some animals will try to browse on the leaves, but get deterred by the thorns and prickles.

NC State Extension. (2022). Rubus allegheniensis. Rubus allegheniensis (Allegheny Blackberry, Blackberry, Common Blackberry, Dewberry, Graves' blackberry) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved July 23, 2022, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rubus-allegheniensis/

7/7/19 at 6:20 a.m. I was inspired to greet the morning sun and to see what my life around my site would be like. More insects, but also lots of birdsong. The next 4 pictures are a progression of the sun hitting some trees on my site.

MORNING BUG AND BIRD CHORUS:
Buzz buzz buzz buzz
BUZZ, BUZZ
“creep, creep, creep, creep”
Buzz, buzz
Pee-oo-wee, Pee-oo-wee
Buzz, buzz
Look-up, over-here, see-me, up-here
Buzz, buzz, buzz
Peter, peter, peter
Buzz, buzz, buzz
Meow, meow
Buzz, buzz,
Here I am, over here, see me, where are you
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz
Here, here, here
Buzz, buzz
Teer, teeer, teer, jeer-deert, teer!
Bu-U-U-U-U-uz
Yank, yank, yank
Buzz, buzz
Sweet, sweet, chew, chew, see-it, see-it

BuzzBuzzBuzzBuzzBuzzBuzzBuzz

This poem consists of the birdsong on my site featuring: Pewee, Indigo Bunting, Tufted Titmouse, Red-eyed Vireo, White-breasted Nuthatch, Gray Catbird, and the Great Crested Flycatcher.

Schmalz, G. (2022). Mnemonics. Retrieved July 23, 2022, from http://www.fernbank.edu/birding/mnemonics.htm

*QUESTION OF THE WEEK*

What are the soils like in the habitat and 

how does it influence plants or other organisms on my site?

I took two soil samples:

The soil sample below was taken from a dried-up vernal pool. It was a darker brown color than the soil sample I took from the path going through my site. However, it looks a little lighter here because of the lighting. The soil texture consisted of sand, silt, and a bit more clay than the other soil I gathered.

The soil I collected from the path is a dark brown color, but not quite as dark as the soil from the dried-up vernal pool. It consists of first sand, then silt, with the least amount being clay. This soil is packed full of vegetation including many forbs and grasses found in prairies. This soil looks a little darker because it was damp when I first gathered it. 

The plants on my site are not really picky as to the soil consistency, grow well on this type of soil, as long as it is well-drained, and have deep root systems. 

As I was leaving my site I heard an Indigo Bunting in the tree above me.  

Do you see his silhouette on the middle left?