So much is happening in nature and in our human constructed world that we tend
to ignore some of the most obvious events of the natural world. Plus there are
literally thousands of sights and sounds vying for our attention and it takes a
significant effort of will to focus and be observant. A certain training of the
mind helps in watching even subconsciously for important clues and selecting
them from the background "noise."
Here are a few examples of what you might see while walking around our VA farm
in the middle of summer. As I was toiling up a steep hill along my neighbor's
barbed wire cow fence, I was shocked to notice three green June beetles impaled
on the wire! This was exciting since it was unexpected, and because I knew
immediately what this must mean. It revealed that a loggerhead shrike was
feeding in the vicinity; they are famous for impaling their extra prey on
thorns and barbed wire. Yet I had not seen the bird, only interpreted its
presence by this sign.
Our common milkweeds are in bloom in large numbers and I am on alert for signs
that monarch caterpillars are present. Caterpillars are eating machines so the
best indication they occur is the presence of their feces or "frass" and bite
marks on the leaves. Since caterpillars often hide under the leaves, these two
signs are crucial in finding them.
In June and July I often see strange white foamy patches in certain of our
ponds. I know from experience that these are the remnants of bullfrog breeding
from the previous night and there will be hundreds of embryos in these areas.
They quickly dissipate as the eggs hatch and tadpoles disperse into the pond.
Within a mile of our farm there is the New River, which is said to be the
second oldest river in the world (after the Nile). It has different aquatic
fauna than our small spring fed streams and ponds and I often go there to see
new species. This cobra clubtail dragonfly is a fierce predator on small
insects; on a hot summer day it was "obelisking" or holding its abdomen in a
vertical position to minimize heat gain from the sun. Nearby there was a
damselfly that I never see on our ponds, a ruby spot damselfly. The male is
much more brilliant than the female and is quite a spectacular fellow. Both of
these species are characteristic of larger streams and rivers, presumably due
to some specific but generally unknown requirements for the larvae and/or
adults.
This tiger swallowtail was perching on dung and extending its proboscis, a
clear sign of "puddling" behavior. This is well known to represent drinking of
fluids from vertebrate digestion and excretion that contain needed salts,
especially sodium, which are scarce in the diets of herbivores. I have become a
big fan of horses on trails since their poop attracts beautiful butterflies and
holds them for close observation.
We have planted cup plants (Silphium) which have large yellow blossoms in
mid-summer attractive to butterflies. Here a pipevine swallowtail is finding
nectar in the flowers while being protected from the attacks of birds by its
black and blue coloration which advertises toxicity obtained as a caterpillar
from its food plant (Aristolochia species). There are many other butterflies
that mimic this coloration in an apparent bid to inhibit birds from attacking
them. One of the most beautiful is this red spotted purple, a type of brushfoot
butterfly (kin to admirals and buckeyes).
So remain alert in nature and you will observe a tiny fraction of what is
actually happening, and be awe struck by the intricate and complex lives that
our fellow creatures are engaged in. Trying to understand some of these
remarkable stories enriches and enlarges our own existence beyond measure.
Bill Dunson
Galax, VA and Englewood, FL
http://lemonbayconservancy.org/news-blog/nature-notes-by-bill-dunson/ ;
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Green June bug impaled on barb wire VA farm 7.21.16 Bill Dunson IMG_5069 aa.jpg
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Shrike loggerhead PG airport 1.29.16 Bill Dunson IMG_1174 aa.JPG
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Monarch frass farm 9.3.14 Bill Dunson IMG_2466 aa.jpg
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Monarch cat a.JPG
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Bullfrog egg mass fresh pond six VA farm 7.10.16 Bill Dunson IMG_4825 aa.jpg
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Bullfrog male pond eight VA farm 7.24.16 Bill Dunson IMG_5171 aa.jpg
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Cobra clubtail New River Fries 7.21.16 Bill Dunson IMG_5114 aa.jpg
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Rubyspot American Fries New River 7.21.16 Bill Dunson IMG_5087 aa.jpg
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Tiger swallowtail puddling on feces New River Fries VA 7.21.16 Bill Dunson IMG_5074 aa.jpg
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Pipevine swallowtail on cup plant VA farm 7.23.16 Bill Dunson IMG_5159 aa.jpg
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Red spotted purple C Hill NC 5.19.14 Bill Dunson IMG_0155aa.jpg
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