Learn About | Greg Dodge Journal: September 1-15, 2008
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Greg Dodge Journal, September 1-15 |
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Flora Many plants and trees are beginning to show the signs of seasonal change. In the Wetlands the hues have shifted from the deep greens of summer to the much lighter hues of early fall. Willows and Sycamores have committed to the change. The Dogwoods are close behind; their fruit will soon be bright red. Poke Weed’s deep purple berries are greedily being gobbled up by Gray Catbirds. The waxy berries, or nuts, of Wax Myrtle should be ripe in time to be devoured by the Myrtle Warblers (Yellow-rumped Warblers) that will soon arrive from the north. The stage is set. I’m most familiar with Wax Myrtle (a shrub) from the coast where migrating birds eat the waxy nuts while on their way south in the fall or while overwintering along the coast. The many Wax Myrtle plants in and around the Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind Loop were planted there. There’s not much question as to their origin. However, I’ve noticed two other plants around the Wetlands that I’m not so sure as to where they came from or how they arrived at the Museum. Both, like the Myrtle, have coastal roots. One is Groundsel Tree, which is another woody shrub and not a tree as the name suggests. It’s common near salt marshes and sandy areas along the coast. It blooms in the fall. One of these plants is growing next to the Wetlands Overlook, on the right as you enter the overlook. I’ve seen hundreds of Monarchs draped across these shrubs during migration along the coast. The other plant in question had been a mystery to me for a good part of the summer. At first glance I thought it was Joe-pye Weed. A closer look revealed that it has alternate leaves, not whorled leaves as Joe-pye Weed does. The flowers are not quite right either. I’m now convinced that this plant is Salt-marsh Fleabane. Salt-marsh Fleabane grows in salt marshes, although, refering to where the plant is commonly found, one field guide states “Mainly salt marshes. Coast from s. Maine south; rarely inland.” The plant is growing at the edge of the water in the Wetlands (image at left) and, depending on the water level at the time, its roots are usually wet. Curiously, one of these plants is also growing on the shaded part of the path between the main entrances to Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind.
Insects I discovered a treehopper on Common Ragweed near the Wetlands Overlook next to the Lemur House. The only name I could find for it is the binomial or scientific name Entylia carinata, but since carinata means “keeled,” a good common name might be Keeled Treehopper. The “keel” in the name apparently refers to the projections on the head and back of the insect. These treehoppers are looked after by ants, apparently for the honeydew produced by the hoppers. There were several ants nearby when I shot the picture at left. (See also Treehoppers, Explore the Wild Journal, August 1-15.) I was finally able to get a picture of a “golden” Golden Tortoise Beetle (image at left). These beetles usually hang out under Morning Glory leaves and either fly away or rapidly change colors as soon as they’re disturbed, so I’ve had a bit of trouble getting an image of one in golden mode, until now. (See Explore the Wild Journal, August 16-31.) While resting on a bench and having a look about, I noticed something beetle-like crossing the paved path through Catch the Wind. I scooped it up just before it disappeared into the grass at the edge of the path. I photographed it at home, later releasing it. I’m not quite positive of its identity but am confident it belongs to a subfamily of weevils known as Broad-nosed Weevils (Entiminae). Most weevils have long pointy snouts. These guys do not. This one is flightless, or at least, it made no attempt to fly away. One way to distinguish weevils from beetles (if they don’t have a long pointed snout) is that weevils have “elbowed” antennae. The image at left doesn’t show this feature well, but if you look closely you can see a small enlarged area about halfway up the right antenna (not the crook at the tip). The antenna bends forward at that little “bump” in the antenna. Tussock moths can show up just about anywhere at this time of year so it was no surprise to see a Sycamore Tussock Moth Caterpillar near the back side of the Loop between Catch the Wind and Explore the Wild. It was, however, a bit of a surprise to see it crawling along on a Mimosa Leaf (image at left). Two tiny Cloudless Sulphur Caterpillars were observed on the Partridge Pea near the culvert on the backside of the Loop between Catch the Wind and Explore the Wild (see Partridge Pea, Explore the Wild Journal, August 16-31). They were initially seen during the first few days of this period. Those individuals apparently have crawled away to pupate; I couldn’t locate them after 10 September. There are Cloudless Sulphurs flying through the area every day so keep an eye out for more caterpillars. Partridge Pea grows alongside the path at several locations throughout the Explore the Wild/Catch the Wind Loop. While searching, don’t be fooled by the seed pods of the plant; they can look surprisingly like the caterpillars, or should I say, the caterpillars look like the pods.
Reptiles and Amphibians I continue to see a few small, newly morphed Cricket Frogs and many young Green Treefrogs along the north side of the Wetlands. If you stop and look at the tall vegetation on the right side of the path as you walk towards the Lemur House from the Wolf Overlook, you will most surely see Green Treefrogs, but you have to look! The one pictured at left was at that very location (a big yawn for such a tiny frog). I haven’t seen a Gray Treefrog in several weeks. Many of the large turtles living in the Wetlands decided to bask out in the sun after the heavy rains dumped on us by Hanna. I hadn’t seen that many turtles soaking up the sun since the spring. Perhaps they were out in numbers due to the chill in the water after all the rain. The water level in the Wetlands was as high as I’d seen it.
Birds A pair of Wood Ducks graced the Wetlands with their presence during the period. They were on the far side of the water near the willows. As I’ve said before, you never know what’s going to come swimming out of the willows. I’ve caught an occasional glimpse of at least one Wood Duck during the summer months, but haven’t seen a male and female together until the first week in September. Green Herons are a daily sight in the Wetlands. There are at least two present at any given time. They’re doing well in the Wetlands, feeding on frogs, tadpoles, fish, and even dragonflies that fly too close to these stealthy and agile hunters. Another member of the heron family was also seen during the first half of September, a Great Egret. I saw one flying overhead coming from the direction of the Wetlands. I don’t know if this bird actually stopped in for a visit or was just inspecting the Wetlands from the air while en route to another location; I first caught sight of it as it headed east over the Ornithopter. An immature female Cooper’s Hawk blasted by me at eye-level as I stood next to the Ornithopter. It was probably one of the birds that fledged here this summer. The Museum’s Red-shouldered Hawks were out for a Sunday afternoon family soar on the 7th of September. Two adults and two immature birds were soaring over Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind, drifting off to the south while, in typical red-shoulder fashion, making as much noise as possible. As far as migrant songbirds, I heard a White-eyed Vireo down in the Wetlands and saw a Common Yellowthroat. As of this writing there were still hummingbirds coming to the feeders in Catch the Wind, but nothing yet from the west (see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Explore the Wild Journal, August 16-31).
Mammals Groundhogs have been frequenting the Bird Feeder Area. Two of these large rodents have been seen at the feeders on several occasions thoughout the period.
Thanks to the Museum Staff and Guests who have pointed out their sightings to me or who have shared their experiences with me out on the Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind Loop. As always, if you see me out there, stop and ask what’s new, or let me know what you’ve seen.
Have a good one,
Greg
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