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?

7/12\22 at 3:15 pm

The weather is sunny with scattered clouds in blue skies. A lovely breeze blows this warm summer day.

New signs of life

 

There are a large number of ___________________ specifically. Look closely at the photos above and see if you can spot the insect I tried to capture. You may need to zoom and look closely. The type of insect will be revealed at the end of the post.

Other signs of life included a Green clear-wing dragonfly a yellow butterfly, and various birds, including some turkey vultures gliding on the wind currents. 

The biggest mammal I saw was Kerry, who was mowing, using a technique called feathering. "What is feathering?" you may ask. It is a way to cut back the vegetation in order to widen the trail and prevent succession.

The sounds I noticed were the wind in trees, an airplane, a mower, and different types of birds and bugs buzzing and chirping.

The path was widened by feathering. The dry weather has made the ground harder and some of the grasses are changing from green to brown as a result of time passing. Here is an example of how the path looked after being freshly cut. 

NEW SPECIES

  Timothy Grass

(Phleum pratense L.)

This image was borrowed from Great Basin Seeds. (2022). Timothy. Great Basin Seed. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://greatbasinseeds.com/product/timothy/.

Timothy grass is a cool-season perennial that can grow quickly in many conditions. It does not need a lot of care. It was promoted by and therefore, named after Timothy Hanson in the 1700s  to be used as pasture grass. In fact, many types of animals enjoy it including horses (when mixed with alfalfa), sheep, rabbits, and guinea pigs, to name a few. Timothy grass grown in wild places like Mary's Meadow is great for nesting and coverage for concealing bird broods from possible predators.  

Grant, B. L. (2022). What is Timothy Grass - uses and benefits of Timothy Grass. Gardening Know How. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/grains/cover-crops/timothy-grass-growing.htm

Wild Bergamot

(M. fistulosa)

Wild Bergamot has lilac or pink flowers that remind me of a crazy hair-do because they look all over the place. These, truly, "wild" flowers bloom in the summer and fall. The leaves are toothed with a long triangle or lance shape. They are part of the mint family. They can be found in woods, meadows, and dry hillsides, and are pollinated by various insects.

Newcomb, L., & guide, W. (1977). In Newcomb's wildflower guide: An ingenious new key system for quick, positive field identification .. (pp. 92–93). essay, Little, Brown & Co.

Japanese Beetle

(Popillia japonica)

Japanese Beetles, though beautiful, are very invasive insects who love to eat more than 300 different species of plants. So it's not surprising that they found some plants to devour here in Mary's Meadow. They are not limited to just leaves, but also flowers and fruits. I have been fighting these critters from completely destroying my rhubarb. They were first found in New Jersey in 1916.

Shane Bugeja, J. H. J. W. and. (2022). Japanese beetles in yards and gardens. UMN Extension. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/japanese-beetles

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus virens

This image was borrowed by Colgan Azar, K. (2011). Eastern Wood Pewee. The Cornell Lab All About Birds. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Wood-Pewee/overview.

The habitat of this fly-catching songbird is a forest habitat. I think they are around my site because there are trees in the surrounding area, not to mention the forested area that the meadow transitions into. They are olive-brown in color and make a call that sounds like pee-a-wee! Their nests are covered and camouflaged by lichen so well that they resemble more a notch in a tree than a nest. I think discovering a nest someday would be a great accomplishment and an indicator that my observation skills are improving.

Cornell University. (2022). Eastern wood-pewee overview, all about birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Wood-Pewee/overview

*Match the trunk to the correct tree*

  Swamp White Oak                 Northern Pin Oak                  Silver maple

a. b.

c.

Minnesota Seasons. (2022, June 23). Northern pin oak. Minnesota Seasons - northern pin oak. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from http://www.minnesotaseasons.com/Plants/northern_pin_oak.html

?? QUESTION OF THE WEEK ??

In regards to the transitions between my chosen habitat and neighboring habitats what are some of the ways, the zones affect the plant and animal species in your habitat?

My habitat is a meadow that includes a lot of vegetation, some woody brush in the form of dogwoods and berry bushes, and some trees that surround it on most sides. There is also some farmland close by. It is also situated near forests. The meadow gets a lot of sunshine and is exposed to the weather as well. Birds enjoy the habitat of the brushy areas and trees on the edges, which not only provides some protection from weather but also may make them less easy to be caught by prey. The vegetation is quite thick which discourages humans from going off the path. However, it is great habitat for insects, amphibians, and small mammals. Birds of prey can utilize the few trees within the meadow to sit up high, look for and catch prey. There is a lot of vegetation for bugs to eat and pollinate. And the bugs area also a good source of food for fly-catching birds.

Answers: Type of insect captured: dragonfly

Answer to tree bark matching game: a. Silver Maple b. Swamp White Oak c. Northern Pin Oak

July 4-11, 2022 Observations

“As the day unfolds, hold your breath and see, life is a mystery.” -Josh Garrels

Field Observations:

7/7/22 at 8:10am 

The weather is cloudy, barely cool with a gentle breeze. Mosquitoes aren’t bad yet, thank God.

Lots of birds calling. A brilliant blue bird is calling in the trees near this meadow area.

Butterfly weed is growing here and there. Since it likes dry, open habitats this meadow seems as good a place as any.

I also found an ant crawling among the petals and leaves.

7/8/22 at 4:28 pm 

The weather is partly cloudy, with patches of blue sky, and breezy. The wind and rustling leaves are calming, as the swishing and rustling of the leaves whisper the promise of a new day.

The birds I hear are an indigo bunting, a Cardinal, an American Robin, an American Crow, an American Goldfinch, a Song sparrow, a Carolina wren, a house wren, and common yellowthroat. I hear insects buzzing and distant, undistinguishable bird calls.

I see a bee and some ants pollinating the butterfly milkweed. As I lay down I notice an ant making its way across the path. The sky is shifting to more cloudy and no shadows can be seen. The path I am looking closely at consists of common yarrow, plantain, Virginia strawberry, and three-leafed clovers.

Thoughts:

The earth is breathing and singing. I came feeling overwhelmed and am leaving feeling comforted, embraced, refreshed, and thankful; remembering that life is vibrant, beautiful, worth noticing, and persistent.

Until my next visit…

“As the day unfolds, hold your breath and see, life is a mystery.” -Josh Garrels

7:57 AM on 7/11/22 

    Today there is a blue sky and it is very sunny with a balmy temperature of 70 degrees. There is a lot more birdsong this morning and insect noises too.  The vegetation around me varies from knee-high to waist-high, to chest-high to taller than my full height when I go from the nearer edge of my site to the farther edge of my site. The vegetation is a mix of different plants which gives this community the healthy variety it needs to thrive.

    I counted seven large trees in my observation site that make their home in the midst of the meadow. There is a sugar maple, with gray dogwood growing at its base, 3 Northern pin oaks, and 2 Swamp white oaks. I believe the birds like this type of environment because there is space to fly, but there are trees on the outer edges and some within for them to seek cover and build nests. The birds can also enjoy eating the insects that are flying around the openness as well as fruit from the many brambles. 

    Something that has changed since the earlier days I observed is that the ground isn't as saturated with rain. It has had some dry days. This morning the field is glistening with due. 

Signs of Life:

    There are a lot of insects flying among the plants pollinating. I see dragonflies and hear the buzzing of mosquitoes and biting flies.  As I was identifying the trees I was delighted to discover a spring peeper when I looked down! A new bird call I heard this morning that I didn't hear the other days was of the Sandhill crane. 

Species Identification:

Spring Peeper

(Pseudacris crucifer)

Spring peepers are one of the smallest tree frogs. Their bodies are smooth, tan, brown, green, or gray, with lines that look like an X-shaped  on their backs. Their bellies are white to cream-colored, have dark rings on their legs and a dark line between their eyes. They are well camouflaged to look like tree bark which protects them from predators, which include snakes, salamanders, other birds of prey and large carnivorous insects. Though they are good climbers they spend most of their time on the ground. Being about an inch long they are rarely seen, which makes it extra special that I spotted one! They live in meadows, fields, forests and wetlands.

Source: National Wildlife Federation. (2022). Spring Peeper. nwf.org. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Amphibians/Spring-Peeper

Butterfly Milkweed

(Asclepias tuberosa L)

Butterfly milkweed grows in dry open habitats and is very common in the prairies and grasslands of the Midwest and Great Plains. The flower has five petals pointing down and five petals pointing up. Many Native American tribes used dried stems to make ropes as well as for weaving cloth. Different parts of the plant are edible.

Stritch, L. (2022). Butterfly Milkweed. fs.fed.us. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/asclepias_tuberosa.shtml

Indigo Bunting

(Passerina cyanea)

Torkomian, J. (2022). Indigo Bunting. Audubon. National Audubon Society. 

Retrieved July 11, 2022, from https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/indigo-bunting.

Below is my attempt to capture a picture of the indigo bunting, but as you can see, it is disappointingly hard to see. However, if you zoom in, it is in the middle top third of the photo.

The indigo bunting's habitat is brushy pastures and bushy wood edges. It will build its nest along roadsides, old fields, and edges of woodlands. It eats insects, seeds, and berries that are plentiful in this meadow habitat.

Kaufman, K. (2022, May 5). Indigo bunting. audubon.org. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/indigo-bunting

Red Clover

(Trifolium pratense)

Red clover is a common flower that can be found in fields, roadsides, 

and meadows and grows from spring to fall. It contributes to the health of this ecosystem because it is one of many layers of different-sized plants that together make a great network of vegetation.

Newcomb, L. (1977). Irregular Flowers. In Newcomb's wildflower guide: An ingenious new key system for quick, positive field identification .. (pp. 60–61). essay, Little, Brown & Co.

Creative Reflection:

Meadow Musings

By Eva Webb

The earth is breathing and singing. 

It comforts me, embraces me, 

refreshes me, 

and I can only be 

thankful; 

remembering that life is 

vibrant, 

beautiful, eye-catching, 

and 

persistent.

Question of the Day: 

What is the dominant vegetation form in your ecosystem? 

What major attributes of those organisms and of the habitat seem to interact such 

that this is the dominant vegetation form?

The dominant vegetation forms in my ecosystem are seven trees because they are the largest plants. However, the vegetation forms that are most abundant are the long grasses, taller pollinator plants that grow in fields such as butterfly weed, blackberry brambles, some invasive autumn olive, poison ivy, clovers, and common yarrow to name a few. A major attribute of these organisms is that they grow a lot during the late spring through late summer and slow down their growth in the fall and winter. My particular space gets good exposure to sunlight, wind, and rain so it makes it easier for the plants to flourish.

Until my next visit…