A Good Day in the Desert Prairie

It was not on my radar as a destination, but I found myself at Spring Green Preserve this afternoon. What I thought would be a couple hour excursion turned into 6+hour adventure. Despite the sun and 80 degree temps, the low humidity and wind rendered a rather pleasant afternoon in the desert heat. By late August the brilliant colorful array of blooms meld into mostly greens, yellow and brown, August is the corpse month for many plants with others not far behind. The magenta Prairie Blazing Star stood out from the monotony of green and gold.

But I had not come here in search of blooms. Insects, specifically tiger beetles, were my objective. I would like to say the day was "splendid" but I settled for a "festive big-headed" kind of day. that is in a tiger beetle sort of way.

Festive Tiger Beetle

Indeed tiger-beetling was quite productive. Along with the abundant Punctured Tiger Beetles, I found 3 additional species

Punctured Tiger Beetle

Punctured Tiger Beetle

Punctured Tiger Beetles caught "in the act"

I finally had some success with photographing Festive Tiger Beetles, but not without the effort of retracing the path many times over.

Festive Tiger Beetle

This single Big Sand Tiger Beetle was observed shortly after I began my walk in the desert prairie.

Big Sand Tiger Beetle

However, by far, the most rewarding beetle of the trip was finding a Virginia Big-headed Tiger Beetle! I spied this bugger at the eight o'clock hour as I descended the path toward the parking area in fading light.

I had not intended to remain in the prairie past sunset, but as I found the day diminishing I resigned myself to remain as long as I desired. After all, nothing was beckoning me other than Nature who had been revealing one wonder after another. I was easily enticed into her fold for a little while longer.

As the sun was setting I pondered what nocturnal creatures I might find. Recalling Mike Reese's discussion of Virginia Big-headed being a nocturnal species, the possibility of finding one came on my radar. Shortly after a pleasant encounter with an 82 year-old steward of the desert prairie, I spotted a wiley beetle rapidly scurrying down the path. As it headed off into the grass, the early civil twilight caught the green elytra on this large beetle along with the rust colored legs. I was fairly certain I had found myself a Virginia Big-headed! I located it hiding in the grass confirming my ID.

Virginia Big-headed Tiger Beetle doc shot. Focus challenged in near dark conditions

As I tried to get a better visual, the chase was on again. I opted to catch the bugger, something I had not attempted before with a tiger beetle. Upon being bitten (lifer tiger beetle bite!), I dropped it into the open path attempting to capture an unobstructed photo. However the race ensued as soon the beetle hit the ground. In the fading light, auto and manual focus were failing against this speed racer. Eventually I lost it but was nonetheless thrilled at my discovery! I found it interesting how the Virginia Big-headed runs along the terrain versus employing the fly and flee strategy often seen with the other tiger beetles.

Phidippus apacheanus

Phidippus apacheanus

The day's adventure did not stop with the tiger beetles. The path through the prairie also yielded robberflies, a striking Phidippus apacheanus jumping spider, dung beetles and grasshoppers. Some of the robberflies eluded me for photos, but this Proctacanthella cacopiliga female allowed rather close approach.

Fueled on water and a Latte Miel and Raspberry Cream Cheese Danish from the Prairie Cafe, I embarked on the climb to the bluff as well as further westward along the ridge of Spring Green. My motivation was the lure of possibly seeing a lifer Splendid Tiger Beetle. I scoured the bluff looking but found none. However the hike was worth the effort regardless. I find the westward trek along the ridge to provoke quite a sense of wonder and discovery.

The desert had been nearly void of birdsong. However upon entering the woods to ascend the bluff, the typical forest birds, Eastern Wood Peewees, Black-capped Chickadees, Northern Cardinals, Downy and Pileated Woodpecker, and Tufted Titmouse were heard calling. Upon reaching the crest of the bluff trail, I flushed three roosting nightjars, presumably Common Nighthawks, from a nearby juniper.

Spiranthes magnicamporum, Great Plains Lady's Tresses, 29Sept2014

I had hoped to find the Spiranthes orchid on the southern ridge of the "quarry" where I had discovered this plant last year, but I could not locate evidence of any blooming. However I had not found this species blooming until late September last year, so perhaps it was too early. I skirted the southern ridge of the "quarry" for a different view being mindful of the potential for rattlesnakes. Alas my path once again did not cross this beloved reptile.

The "quarry", iPhone capture

By the time I started back down the bluff, I was feeling rather exhausted and hungry. Initially I thought to beeline it back to the car, but the numerous hoppers I was seeing beckoned me to get my camera back out for more photography. It was at this point I realized I had been shooting all day with image stabilization set to "off." Doh!

Entylia carinata treehopper

Two-striped Planthopper

Red-banded Leafhopper

Hoverfly species

Finally back to the woman I encountered upon leaving the prairie. I spotted this woman lying in the prairie looking up at the sky after sunset. As I approached her, she sat up to inquire what I had seen explaining that at 82 she could no longer make it up the bluff. "What's new up there?" she asked. We chatted about the tiger beetles, hoppers, reptiles and the preserve. Being a longtime local resident, this young appearing 82 year-old, dressed in an army fatigue jacket with salt and pepper hair flowing to her shoulders, conveyed a deep passion and connectedness to Spring Green Preserve. With darkness rapidly approaching, I eventually went on my way to discover the Virginia Big-headed Tiger Beetle. Her parting words to me, "It was nice talking with you...help keep an eye on this place"

A Few Notes on Tiger Beetles

I was searching the internet to find information on field marks to separate Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle from Bronzed Tiger Beetle when I came across this resource. It showed a photo of tiger beetle larvae.

Mystery solved!

I had photographed the above strange creature running across the sand along the Wisconsin River yesterday. I had no clue to its identity other than it was clearly some larval creature. If I owned a field guide for tiger beetles its identity might have been more apparent. At least this time the internet proved to be a sufficient resource!

Afternoon Delights

During the warmer months I try to get outside for at least an hour or two most days. Nature is my one solace even though last week one would be hard-pressed to know that. Between nearly passing out in the 90+ degree weather, losing my eye cup for my binoculars and falling in a turtle hole smashing both my knee and scope on the unforgiving gravel, I had a momentary case of "piss on this." My entire body still feels the lingering aches and spinal misalignment from the fall, but that hasn't kept me inside. However I may rethink ever returning to Zeloski Marsh. I loathe grueling walks in the blazing sun for little reward which seems to be the case most visits to that marsh.

This Green Heron is the bird I took out my knee cap for. Instead of looking where I was stepping I was walking along watching the heron to find an angle where there would be greenery instead of sky behind the bird.  Suddenly, "BAM!" I went down, crying like a child while I writhed in pain. After mustering myself up, I did manage to get the shot I was looking for. The setting sun provided perfect light for digiscoping this stunning ABA Bird of the Year 2015.

Today's outdoor escape took me to the Mazomanie Oak Barrens in Dane County, WI. The plants and insects were "meh" for the most part. However the abundantly blooming Asclepias verticillata (Whorled milkweed) was attracting a variety of bees, a few butterflies and two species of "hummingbird" moths. Even on the most "meh" days outdoors, I typically experience at least one mind-blowing encounter with an insect or bird. My most golden moment from last week was a butterfly that approached me under the shaded canopy of an old growth forest. It circled my neck within inches of my ears. The audible fluttering of its wings in my ears was spine-tingling magic. Today's prize was finding this Titan Sphinx Moth that allowed close approach where I could hear the whirring of its wings as it nectared on the milkweed.

This Snowberry Clearwing was not so confiding. I settled for a distant photo of it enjoying the host plant of the day.

I also came across this leafhopper, but simply have no motivation to attempt any formal ID. What's in a name anyway?  I dub this one Dr. Seuss Fish Treehopper.

Tomorrow a familiar locale is calling my name. Hopefully I'll motivate early enough to get outside before things really start heating up.

Sand Critters

Having spent most of my summer devoted to atlasing in my breeding bird block, I decided I needed a change of pace focused on something other than birds. Thus this afternoon I ventured out on a decompression mission to simply soak in the afternoon sun and leisurely photograph interesting insects along the way.

Sandy Stream Tiger Beetle

My route took me west toward the Wisconsin River in Sauk County. At my first stop I encountered a fellow nature enthusiast who tipped me off to be on the lookout for a tiger beetle I had not seen before, the Sandy Stream Tiger Beetle. While he had reported the individuals he found to be rather ninja in their movements, the pair I eventually came across tolerated my repeated approach and circling for the 20+ minutes I spent admiring them.

I didn't realize until today the ravenous manner in which tiger beetles spread their mandible to clench their partner while shagging. Yikes.

Given the lateness of the day, the beetles were not as numerous, but I still managed to find Bronzed Tiger Beetles "in the act."

Of all the tiger beetles I've encountered, Punctured Tiger Beetle strikes me as being the most ninja-like. I find sneaking up on this species to be rather challenging despite them being the most numerous tiger beetle species I've seen. The particular individual I was able to capture today actually advanced toward me after I had several failed attempts trying to photograph his friends. Perhaps he had been stripped of his ninja powers when his antenna went gimpy. Note the bent right antenna.

Where there are tiger beetles one inevitably finds robberflies. I've been quite successful with my incidental photography of various robberflies this summer. Though from my lack of posts on this blog or at my Flickr site, one would never know. The two species I observed today were Stichopogon trifasciatus and Efferia albibarbis (if I identified them correctly). Both are common species in Wisconsin.

Stichopogon trifasciatus

Efferia albibarbis

Finally where there is sand one is bound to find a Sand Wasp furiously digging in the sand as this one was doing.

West Texas

Last week I headed down Toe Nail Trail southeast of Christoval, Texas to the Hummer House to band Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Per the usual in my bird related travels I encountered kind supportive people I've come to regard as friends.

This particular visit was dubbed a "Hummingbird Boot Camp" where I completed my required training to be permitted to band hummingbirds.I had little time for photography, but managed to sneak in a few hours to capture some Texas nature.

The stars of my visit, Black-chinned Hummingbirds:

Nearly just as abundant were the Painted Buntings, another specialty bird of the Hummer House which holds the longevity records for both Painted Bunting and Black-chinned Hummingbird.

It seems many things in Texas come disproportionately large and the Plains Lubber Grasshopper, bigger than the size of my thumb are no exception.

I was hoping to encounter more herps on this trip. I settled for daily encounters with Six-lined Racerunners.

On departure day, I observed/assisted with some passerine banding at the ranch which allowed for a close capture of this lively Vermillion Flycatcher.

No doubt, a return trip the Hummer House and the Davis Mountains to reunite with friends and band more hummingbirds is in my future.

Solstice Schmolstice. Pfft.

every year on this date, i have endure the mystical solstice fluff-talk of those who fancy themselves naturey spirits talk. WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? it's a day, the longest day, incrementally small in its magnitude when one considers the length of daylight leading to and from it.

a lonely wilted bouquet from another prairie a few nights ago

the lexical concept humans attribute to this day was absent from my cognition as stood out in a prairies and oak savannahs of the Southern Kettle Moraine this eve. i was surrounded by Whip-poor-wills, in stereo...and out of sync, the singular Chuck-will's-widow calling up the hill and the occasional interjection of a nocturnal Field Sparrow or Wood Thrush. at least one American Woodcock was still flight displaying, though no peents were heard. sounds traveled to and from my ears, periodically pulled in by my cupped hands.

 

i gazed across the serene fields where lightening bugs twinkled like eyes closing in around me. above the moon was joined by Jupiter with its four visible moons and Venus to its side appearing partially obstructed. this celestial production was punctuated by a single falling star in the remains of the dwindling twilight.

sensory awe? yes. mystical? no.

i simply gravitated toward this place close the day in darkness and light.

   ~~~~~~~~~~

"aug-aug-aug" calls and wing claps of Chuck

Metaphors

I've been kicking this one around between my ears for a couple weeks.

METAPHORS for ...???

• Black and Blue: The Black-throated Blue Warbler is much more desired than a psyche that feels "black and blue." Up on Mission Hill near Brimley, Michigan one can look down across the treetops to behold these beauties singing at eye level with the vista of Spectacle and Monocle Lakes and the greatest lake of all, Lake Superior, as the background

• In the Shadows: This female Spruce Grouse is looking mighty plump. I suspect she's got some babes in her belly. She works the shadows quite eloquently. Having spent 30+ years navigating the maze of two tracks in Luce and Chippewa Counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I've become fairly adept at finding this species. Though the Duck Lake fire certainly took its toll on a few haunts where I historically had found this species.

• Curled Up and Dying: Rain on foliage always strikes me as poetically sad and yet beautiful, doubly so on this corpse leaf.

• Dead But Still Standing: I lobbied to save this old white pine after the fire at our cabin. Sadly it started showing signs of its demise last summer. Now it is all but dead, poised majestically, naked, while its insides are being gutted by beetles. Soon it will be felled and swallowed by the lake.

• Stuck in a Web: Or maybe in the case of these water droplets, cushioned by a web.